Thank you for the editorial “The Northwest power grid may soon max out. We must act” (May 4, Opinion). Raising awareness of this critical need is important. Fundamental solutions include more demand-side resources and adding advanced technology to expand use of existing transmission infrastructure.
Beyond these essential solutions, our future grid is like filling up a limited container with rocks: You do big rocks first. For Washington, that is more capacity over the Cascades so demand along the Interstate 5 corridor can use renewable resources to the East. Equally important is greater connectivity with the bountiful, diverse and powerful wind resources in Montana that are necessary to meet our clean-energy goals.
The Bonneville Power Administration and our major utilities have recognized these needs for decades, but fear of the complications involved keep delaying these most important transmission projects in the state.
Doug Howell, Seattle