The Western Area Power Administration (WAPA) is responsible for delivering hydroelectric power within a 15-state region of the central and western United States. WAPA – an agency of the U.S. Department of Energy – has a transmission system that carries electricity from 57 power plants to homes and businesses across a great portion of this country.

Stifle that yawn! The exciting news is that its new administrator is gung-ho on wind power. Tim Meeks took over the top spot last week, and pointed out to the Closed Circuit newsletter that the percentage of Federal hydropower WAPA is providing is decreasing because of customers’ growing needs for energy. But wind power can help alleviate this need:

Another area we are focusing on is integrating wind into the existing transmission system. Wind energy is here. It's a renewable resource that is getting a lot of attention both from consumers and politicians. Wind energy is the world's fastest-growing energy technology. We need to do what we can physically to make it easier for wind generators to connect to the system.

This is important because a big issue with new wind power is making sure that there is enough room on the wires – the transmission system – to handle the extra power. Having a major power administrator welcoming wind and committing to getting more of wind on the electric grid bodes well for a continued, booming expansion of this vital energy source.

Western Area Power Administration
Closed circuit newsletter