Chelsea Loomis, Regional Electric Transmission Planning

Finalizing the Regional Transmission Plan Holding off on 2016 work until 2016 New Chair and Vice Chair for Planning Committee elected for NTTG Update

NWE initiative to study the transmission system under an EPA 111 d World High-level, Reliability study Examined impacts on –Local Area –Import/Export capability –South of Great Falls EPA 111 d Study Work

Light and Heavy Loading –Dispatch levels 3 scenarios –1. No coal, no 500 kV –2. No coal, no other changes –3. No coal, addition of 2520 MW wind –All three scenarios with the addition of 250 MW gas plant in Billings Study Assumptions

Local area will have to have infrastructure work Imports/Exports less if no 500 kV SoGF will need work if no 500 kV Findings

NWE replaces coal with renewables? NWE builds a gas plant in Billings? NWE builds a new 230 kV out of Great Falls if no 500 kV? What ifs?

No coal world feasible WITH many infrastructure changes It’s a game-changer. Conclusions