Tri-State continues to invest in transmission infrastructure to ensure dependable power delivery to its 44 member cooperatives throughout its four-state service territory. The West's vast power supply network is currently strained - improvements and expansion to the system are essential to enhancing regional power reliability.

Additional transmission facilities open the door to the West's diverse energy resources that include renewable energy. The investments in infrastructure across the region support renewable energy projects by alleviating transmission constraints to make projects economically viable. Expanding Tri-State's transmission network also facilitates the G&T's pursuit of additional renewable resources.

The majority of consumers served by Tri-State's member systems live in rural areas. Rural communities receive many benefits from new transmission, including greater power reliability and increased opportunities for economic development.

The Eastern Plains Transmission Project (EPTP) is a joint project between Tri-State and the Western Area Power Administration in which the two power suppliers propose to construct new transmission lines and new or expanded substations in eastern Colorado and western Kansas. These facilities will assist Tri-State in serving its member cooperatives and Western to serve its hydropower customers. The project would also enhance power delivery system reliability in the region, relieve existing constraints and provide opportunities for additional interconnections, including renewable energy projects.

Preparation of the environmental impact statement, engineering, route selection and preliminary land work have begun on the project.

•  Visit Western Area Power Administration's EPTP Web site to learn more about the project.

Applications to the G&T for interconnections from wind power projects to EPTP now total more than 1,000 megawatts.

•  Generators looking to interconnect more than 20 megawatts of power to Tri-State's transmission system should follow the Large Generator Interconnection Procedures (LGIP) outlined on the G&T's Open Access Same Time Information System (OASIS).

The High Plains Express Transmission Project (HPX) includes a consortium of seven western electric transmission owners and an independent transmission company that are participating in a study of a high-voltage backbone transmission system between Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona.

In addition to Tri-State, the consortium participants include Colorado Springs Utilities, Platte River Power Authority, Public Service Company of New Mexico, Salt River Project, Trans-Elect Development Company, Western Area Power Administration and Xcel Energy (Public Service Co. of Colorado).

The first phase of HPX is a joint participation feasibility study that will explore transmission alternatives. The study is expected to be completed by August 2007.

•  Learn more about HPX.