1. Technical Group =
2. Principals Mngmt Group =
3. Slice Groups =
4. Transfer Service =

August 6, 2007 - Additional handouts for Regional Dialogue workshops: Additional handouts are now available for the Aug. 8 Regional Dialogue Policy Implementation workshop. The first handout is High Water Mark Determination for Tiered-Rate Methodology (PDF, 22 pages, 267KB) and the second is Proposed 5(b)9(c) Policy Changes under the RD Policy (PDF, 14 pages, 123KB).

August 3, 2007 - Handouts for Regional Dialogue workshops: Handouts are now available for the Aug. 7 and Aug. 8 Regional Dialogue Policy Implementation workshops. The first handout is a draft schedule (PDF, 5 pages, 118 KB), the second is the Service to Publics Framework Overview (PDF, 36 pages, 274KB) and the third is BPA Tier 2 (PDF, 38 pages, 303KB). The workshops will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the BPA Rates Hearing Room. To participate by phone, please call Dolena Fernandez at (503) 230-4297. Additional handouts will be posted on Monday, Aug. 6.

July 30, 2007 - Handouts for Regional Dialogue clarification workshop: The agenda (PDF, 1 page, 15KB) and one handout (PDF, 1 page, 76KB) are now available for the July 31 Regional Dialogue clarification workshop.

July 27, 2007 - Regional Dialogue workshop scheduled: A workshop will be held Tuesday, July 31, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the BPA Rates Hearing Room. This workshop will be a question and answer session on the content of the Long-Term Regional Dialogue Policy and Record of Decision. The workshop will continue on Aug. 1 if needed. To participate by phone call Dolena Fernandez at (503) 230-4297.

July 26, 2007 - Residential Exchange meeting update: July 20 a letter (PDF, 1 page, 26 KB) was sent to stakeholders providing additional information on the Aug. 1 public meeting on BPA's Residential Exchange Program. A draft agenda (PDF, 1 page, 22 KB) was mailed with the letter.

July 19, 2007 - BPA's Long-Term Regional Dialogue Policy and Record of Decision: BPA Administrator and CEO, Stephen J. Wright, signed a letter today announcing the release of BPA's Long-Term Regional Dialogue Policy and Record of Decision. The letter (PDF, 2 pages, 35 kb) includes a fact sheet (PDF, 12 pages, 81 kb) and schedule (PDF, 1 page, 100KB). The Record of Decision (PDF, 326 pages, 1 MB) and Policy (PDF, 60 pages, 345 kb) were signed by BPA Administrator on July 19, 2007. A separate National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Record of Decision (PDF, 31 pages, 125 kb) was also signed by the BPA Administrator. The notice of final policy was published in the Federal Register on Aug. 13, 2007.

July 13, 2007 - Residential Exchange meeting scheduled: July 2 a letter (PDF, 1 page, 827KB) was sent to stakeholders announcing an Aug. 1 public meeting on BPA's Residential Exchange Program. The meeting will begin at 6 p.m. with registration beginning at 5:30 p.m. The meeting is at the Sheraton Portland Airport Hotel, 8235 Northeast Airport Way, Portland, Ore.

July 2, 2007 - Handout for Regional Dialogue workshop: An additional customer proposal (PDF, 2 pages, 86KB) for the June 27, 2007 workshop is now available.

June 26, 2007 - Handout for Regional Dialogue workshop: An additional customer handout (PDF, 4 pages, 723KB) for the June 27 Regional Dialogue workshop is now available.

June 26, 2007 - Handout for Regional Dialogue workshop: A customer handout (PDF, 3 pages, 28KB) for the June 27 Regional Dialogue workshop is now available on proposals for Tier 1 Rate Design.

June 25, 2007 - Handout for Regional Dialogue workshop: The agenda (PDF, 1 page, 48KB) is now available for the June 27 Regional Dialogue workshop.

June 21, 2007 - Regional Dialogue workshop scheduled: A workshop will be held Wednesday, June 27, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the BPA Rates Hearing Room. The workshop will focus on proposals for Tier 1 Rate Design. To participate by phone call Dolena Fernandez at (503) 230-4297. Please note BPA will not hold a Regional Dialogue Implementation Workshops on June 26. If you have any questions please contact Michelle Manary at (503) 230-5858.

May 29, 2007 - Regional Dialogue rate design materials: The following files were requested at a previous Regional Dialogue workshop on rate design. Forecast variance rates (Excel, 71 KB), Rate impact model - CSP (Excel, 2 MB), Rate impact model - GSP (Excel, 2 MB), Calculation of PF Preference Rate Components (Excel, 202 KB), Components Rate Equity (Excel, 164 KB). If you have any questions, please contact Michelle Manary at (503) 230-5858.

May 18, 2007 - Handout for Regional Dialogue workshop: An additional handout (PDF, 8 pages, 73KB) for the May 18 Regional Dialogue workshop is now available on Rate Design Impacts. The workshop is taking place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the BPA Rates Hearing Room. To participate by phone, please call Dolena Fernandez at (503) 230-4297.

May 17, 2007 - Handouts for Regional Dialogue workshop: An agenda (PDF, 1 page, 38 KB) and handouts are now available for the May 18 Regional Dialogue workshop. The first handout is Tier 1 Rate Design (PDF, 10 pages, 78KB), the second is Load Variance Rates (PDF, 4 pages, 38KB), the third is Regional Dialogue Rate Design (PDF, 2 pages, 40KB) and the fourth is Alternatives for Tier 1 Rate Design (PDF, 12 pages, 273KB). The workshop will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the BPA Rates Hearing Room. To participate by phone, please call Dolena Fernandez at (503) 230-4297.

May 4 , 2007 - Regional Dialogue workshop scheduled: A workshop will be held Friday, May 18, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the BPA Rates Hearing Room. The first hour of the workshop will focus on transparency in the net requirements process and the remainder of the day will focus on rate design. To participate by phone call Dolena Fernandez at (503) 230-4297. Please note BPA will not hold any Regional Dialogue Implementation Workshops the week of May 7.

April 17, 2007 - Handouts for Regional Dialogue workshops: An agenda (PDF, 2 pages, 97KB) and handouts are now available for the April 17 and 18 Regional Dialogue workshops. The first handout is High Water Mark Formula (PDF, 1 page, 152KB), the second is Tier 2 Overhead Allocation and Recovery (PDF, 2 pages, 112KB) and the third is Tier 1 Resources (PDF, 4 pages, 20KB). The April 17 workshop will be held from 9 a.m. to - 2:45 p.m. and the April 18 workshop will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Please note these are updated times from the original announcement. Both meetings will be held in the BPA Rates Hearing Room. To participate by phone, please call Dolena Fernandez at (503) 230-4297.

March 21, 2007 - Handouts for Regional Dialogue workshop: Handouts are now available for the March 21 Regional Dialogue workshop. The first handout is a Tiered Rates Methodology table of contents/outline (PDF,3 pages, 13 KB) and the second is a Background for development of the Tiered Rates Methodology. (PDF, 3 pages, 64KB) These handouts were submitted by BPA Preference Customers. The third handout Service to publics going forward (PDF, 3 pages, 28KB) was issued by BPA. The workshop is scheduled for Wednesday, March 21 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the BPA Rates Hearing Room. To participate by phone, please call Dolena Fernandez at (503) 230-4297.

March 15, 2007 - Regional Dialogue workshop scheduled:A workshop to continue discussions from the March 14 workshop on the Product Catalog and the Tiered Rates Methodology is scheduled for 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., Wednesday, March 21 in the BPA Rates Hearing Room at 911 NE 11th Ave. If necessary a follow-up workshop will be held from 9 a.m. to noon, Thursday, March 22 followed by a workshop on Transmission issues in the afternoon. To participate by phone call Dolena Fernandez at (503) 230-4297.

March 14, 2007 - Regional Dialogue March 15 workshop changes: The tentatively scheduled morning session for Thursday, March 15 was deemed unneccesary and will not take place. The afternoon session with Transmission issues team will still be held from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the Rates Hearing Room.

March 8, 2007 - Three Regional Dialogue workshops scheduled: The first workshop will be held from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday, March 13 to respond to questions about the rate design analysis that was presented at a workshop in mid-December. A second workshop will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Wednesday, March 14 to discuss ideas about the overall framework of the Regional Dialogue as well as discussions, including input from participants, about the Product Catalog and the Tiered Rates Methodology. If necessary, a third workshop will be held from 9 a.m. - noon on Thursday, March 15. In the afternoon there will be a Transmission issues team meeting. The agenda for this meeting will be available soon. All meetings will be held in the BPA Rates Hearing Room. To participate by phone, please call Dolena Fernandez at (503) 230-4297. Please note there will be no phone connection for the March 13 workshop.

Feb. 27, 2007 - Handouts for Regional Dialogue workshop: Handouts (PDF, 9 pages, 114 KB) for the Feb. 28 Regional Dialogue workshop regarding FCRPS System Operations and Capacity are posted here. The workshop is scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 28 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the BPA Rates Hearing Room.

Feb. 27, 2007 - Regional Dialogue workshop topic: The workshop scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 28 will be held from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the BPA Rates Hearing Room. The topic of this meeting will be FCRPS System Operations and Capacity. To participate by phone, please call (503) 230-4297.

Feb. 23, 2007 - Regional Dialogue workshop schedule changes and agenda: The Regional Dialogue workshop scheduled for Feb. 27 is cancelled. The workshop scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 28 will be held from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the BPA Rates Hearing Room. To participate by phone, please call (503) 230-4297.

Jan. 30, 2007: Regional Dialogue meeting: The Regional Dialogue Transmission Issues Team will meet from 1:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m, Thursday, Feb. 1, at the Public Power Council Offices at 825 NE Multnomah St., Suite 1225. If you would like to attend this meeting, please sign up to participate on the RDTI by sending an email to techforum@bpa.gov by Jan. 30.

January 23, 2007 - Handouts for Regional Dialogue workshop: Handouts for the January 24^th Regional Dialogue workshop regarding transmission services are posted here. The workshop is scheduled for 9 a.m. - Noon, Wednesday, January 24^th in the BPA Rates Hearing Room. To participate by phone call (503) 230-5566, wait for double beep then enter 5877#.

January 17, 2007 - Slice Public Meeting Canceled: BPA is canceling the public meeting scheduled from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., on Monday, January 22, 2007. The cancellation(PDF, 1 page, 32 KB) was announced in a postcard to interested parties.

January 11, 2007 - Regional Dialogue workshop scheduled: A workshop to discuss transmission service in relation to the Long-Term Regional Dialogue policy proposal is scheduled for 9 a.m. - Noon, Wednesday, January 24, in the BPA Rates Hearing Room. To participate by phone call (503) 230-5566, wait for double beep then enter 5877#.

January 8, 2007 - Public Meeting Transcript Available: The transcript (PDF, 175 pages, 263 KB) is now available for the Long-Term Regional Dialogue public meeting held with Department of Energy representatives on December 6, 2006.

January 8, 2007 - Updated Schedule of Regional Dialogue Workshops: An updated version of the draft schedule (PDF, 2 pages, 54 KB) of Regional Dialogue implementation workshops is now available.

January 5, 2007 - Slice Public Meeting Announced: A public meeting is scheduled from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., on Monday, Jan. 22, 2007, in the BPA Rates Hearing Room, 911 N.E. 11th Ave., Portland, Ore. The meeting was announced in a letter (PDF, 1 page, 103 KB) signed by Vice President of Generation Asset Management Steve Oliver.

December 18, 2006 - Additional Handout(s) from Regional Dialogue Workshop: At the request from participants for additional clarification of the December 12 workshop, the following handout(s) are posted here represent the data from the Rate Design Analyses.

1. Rate Calculations for Customers
   (Excel, 215 KB) This spreadsheet shows how BPA calculates the rates in the five examples examined during the workshop. In addition, it shows the Demand Charge assumption and calculation used for each.
    
2. Public Version Rate Impact Model
   (Excel, 2.5MB) This spreadsheet shows the calculation of Method A-C as well as how the customer’s rates change in each rate design.
    
3. Tier 2 Behavior Analysis for Customers
   (Excel, 271KB) This spreadsheet is the preliminary analyses showing how different Tier 2 shapes work under the three different rate designs.
      

December 13, 2006 - Updated Schedule of Regional Dialogue Workshops: An updated version of the draft schedule (PDF, 2 pages, 56 KB) of Regional Dialogue workshops is now available.

December 11, 2006 - Agenda for Regional Dialogue Workshops: An electronic version of the Agenda (PDF, 2 pages, 99 KB) is now available for the Regional Dialogue workshops scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 12, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Wednesday, Dec. 13, from approximately 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the BPA Rates Hearing Room. The Dec. 13 workshop will begin immediately following the LB CRAC workshop. To participate by phone, please call (503) 230-4297. Workshop materials are posted below and hard copies will be made available at the workshop.

Regional Dialogue December 12 and 13, 2006 Meeting Handouts:

1. Examples of Tier 2 Remarketing (PDF, 2 pages, 90 KB)
    
2. Principles for Tier 1 Rate Design (PDF, 1 page, 67 KB)
    
3. Rate Design Analysis (PDF, 30 pages, 259 KB)
    
4. Marginal Cost Basis (PDF, 7 pages, 117 KB)
    
5. Tier 1 pricing proposal - Submitted by Customer (PDF, 5 pages, 116 KB)
    
6. Slice vs Nov 9 Method - Submitted by Customer (PDF, 3 pages, 82 KB)
    
7. A Proposal for Pricing of Tier 1 Power Products - Submitted by Customer (PDF, 2 pages, 77 KB)
    

December 5, 2006 - Agenda for Regional Dialogue Workshops: An electronic version of the agenda (PDF, 2 pages, 99 KB) is now available for the Regional Dialogue workshops scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 12, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Wednesday, Dec. 13, from approximately 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the BPA Rates Hearing Room. The Dec. 13 workshop will begin immediately following the LB CRAC workshop. To participate by phone, please call (503) 230-4297. Workshop materials will be posted on this site prior to the workshop.

November 29, 2006 - Regional Dialogue Public Meeting Announced: In a letter (PDF, 1 page, 169 KB) signed by Mark Gendron, Vice President of Requirements Marketingts Marketing, BPA announced a public meeting with Department of Energy and BPA representatives, scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2006, from 2 to 6:30 p.m. at the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport Conference Center in the Old Auditorium. Registration starts at 1:30 p.m. A draft agenda (PDF, 1 page, 87 KB) also was issued.

November 15, 2006 - Handouts for Nov. 16 and 17 Regional Dialogue Workshops: Electronic versions of the handouts for the Regional Dialogue workshops scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 16, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Friday, Nov. 17 from 9 a.m. to noon in the BPA Rates Hearing Room are now available. To participate by phone, please call (503) 230-4297. Please note an additional handout is available in the Oct. 27 announcement below.

Regional Dialogue November 16 and 17, 2006 Meeting Handouts:

1. Regional Dialogue Implementation Workshop, Example Calculation of Contract High Water Mark, McMinnville Water and Light.
   (PDF, 1 page, 120 KB) reissued November 30, 2006.
    
2. Example Self-Supplied Tier 2 Resource Shaping Charges
   (PDF, 1 page, 56 KB)
    
3. A Load Following Customer: from Subscription to Regional Dialogue, Two Possible Future Power Supply Scenarios.
   (PDF, 18 pages, 220 KB) reissued November 30, 2006.
    
4. 5(b)/9(c), Current Policy
   (PDF, 7 pages, 67 KB)
    
5. A Proposal for Pricing of Tier 1 Power Products - Submitted by PPC
   (PDF, 2 pages, 77 KB)
    

November 13, 2006 - Agenda and Updated Schedule of Regional Dialogue Workshops: An electronic version of the agenda (PDF, 2 pages, 105 KB) is now available for the Regional Dialogue workshops scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 16, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Friday, Nov. 17 from 9 a.m. to noon in the BPA Rates Hearing Room. An updated version of the draft schedule (PDF, 2 pages, 55 KB) of Regional Dialogue workshops originallly posted on Oct. 25 also is now available. To participate by phone, please call (503) 230-4297. Workshop materials will be posted on this site prior to the workshop. Please note the handout in Oct. 27 announcement below will be updated prior to the workshop.

October 27, 2006 - Notice of November 16-17 Regional Dialogue Workshop: A Regional Dialogue Workshop scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 16, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Friday, Nov. 17 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the BPA Rates Hearing Room. This workshop will cover topics related to tiered rates methodology, product catalog development, and net requirements/HWM determinations. A timeline (PDF, 5 pages, 90 KB, Updated and reposted here on December 5, 2006.) showing the interactions between rate cases, High Water Marks, net requirements, resource and load levels, and Tier 2 amount determinations will be one of the discussions at the workshop. An agenda and further materials will be posted later. To participate by phone, please call Dolena Fernandez at (503) 230-4297.

October 25, 2006 - Draft schedule for upcoming Regional Dialogue Workshops: An electronic version of the draft schedule (PDF, 1 page, 56 KB) is now available. This schedule has placeholder dates for stakeholder workshops on issues regarding the implementation of the Long-Term Regional Dialogue. The primary topics to be covered in these workshops include tiered rates methodology, products offered under Regional Dialogue contracts, and net requirements, High Water Marks and 5(b)/9(c) policy. Other topics may be covered as they arise. This schedule is subject to change. Updates will be posted to this site. This schedule has been modified from the one that was distributed at the Oct. 24 workshop. Please note the earlier version had the Spring Breaks in the wrong months. Therefore some February, March, and April meeting dates are now different.

October 20, 2006 - Agenda and Handouts for October 24 Regional Dialogue Workshop: An electronic version of the agenda (PDF, 1 page, 66 KB) is now available for the Regional Dialogue Workshop scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 24, from 9 a.m. to noon in the BPA Rates Hearing Room. Electronic versions of the products scoping handout (PDF, 6 pages, 109 KB, Updated on Oct. 23, 2006) and High Water Mark handout (PDF, 1 page, 142 KB) are available now. To participate by phone, please call (503) 230-4297. Please note the 5b/9c policy will not be covered at this meeting.

October 12, 2006 - Regional Dialogue Workshop Scheduled on October 24: The purpose of this meeting is to scope the issues pertaining to Tier I and II service, discuss background on the 5b/9c policy, and step through a high-level calculation of High Water Marks and net requirements. The meeting is scheduled on Tuesday, Oct. 24, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. in the BPA Rates Hearing Room, located at 911 NE 11th Ave., Portland, Ore. To participate by phone, please call Dolena Fernandez at (503) 230-4297. Please note announcement updated on Oct. 20.

September 20, 2006 (5:30 p.m.) - Transfer Service meeting agenda:  An agenda for tomorrow's meeting on Transfer Service (PDF, 1 page, 7 KB) is now available.

September 20, 2006 (5 p.m.) - Contract with Port Townsend Paper company:  An electronic version of the last contract with Direct Service Industrial (DSI) customers for the 2007-2011 period is now available.  See the June 27, 2006 announcement below for links to all four DSI contracts.

September 19, 2006 - Regional Dialogue Comment Period Extended:  Mark Gendron, vice president of requirements marketing, released a letter (PDF, 1 page, 107 KB) today announcing the extension of the Regional Dialogue comment period to Oct. 31, 2006.

September 13, 2006 - Tiered Rates Methodology Workshop - Two handouts for today's workshop -- Tier 1 & 2 HWM Template (XLS, 93 KB) and Tiered Rates Workshop Materials (PDF, 4 pages, 35 KB) .

September 11, 2006 (4:20 p.m.) - Handout for August 2006 Regional Meetings:  An electronic version of the main presentation handout (PDF, 10 pages, 130 KB) for the Long-Term Regional Dialogue public meetings is now available.

September 11, 2006 (10:25 a.m.) - Additional Handout for Today's Regional Dialogue Workshop on High Water Marks and Conservation:  An electronic version the handout on Proposed BPA Verification of Post-2006 Self Funded Conservation (PDF, 1 page, 72 KB) is now available for the today's Regional Dialogue workshop, 1 - 4 p.m. in the BPA Rates Hearing Room. To participate by phone, please call (503) 230-4983.  For links to other handouts and more information about the workshop, see the September 6 (5:25 p.m.) and August 25 announcements below.

September 8, 2006 - Handouts for Today's DSI Long-Term Regional Dialogue Public Meeting:

1. Questions to consider when submitting comments to BPA
   (PDF, 1 page, 21 KB)
    
2. Biographies for meeting presenters
   (PDF, 4 pages, 26 KB)
    
3. Panel selection process for the Economic Study
   (PDF, 4 pages, 109 KB)
   Prepared by Massoud Jourabchi on behalf of the Northwest Power and Conservation Council
    
4. Overview and results of the Economic Study
   (PDF, 34 pages, 115 KB)
   Prepared by William Beyers on behalf of the Northwest Power and Conservation Council
    
5. Presentation of Alcoa's perspective
   (PDF, 22 pages, 146 KB)
   Prepared by Jack Spear on behalf of Alcoa
    

September 7, 2006 - Updated Public Meeting Agenda:  An updated agenda for the Sept. 8 DSI meeting (PDF, 1 page, 107 KB) is now available.

September 6, 2006 (5:25 p.m.) - Handouts for September 11 Regional Dialogue Workshop on High Water Marks and Conservation:  Electronic versions of BPA's analysis of BPA funded versus self funded conservation (XLS, 26 KB) and Seattle City Light's analysis of how to fund conservation (XLS, 118 KB) are now available for the Monday, Sept. 11, Regional Dialogue workshop.  Please note: Tabs one and eight of the Seattle handout are the main focus.  The purpose of this workshop is to provide interested parties with an opportunity to ask clarifying questions on the Conservation portion of the Long-Term Regional Dialogue Policy Proposal.  To participate by phone, please call JoAnn Bas at (503) 230-4983. For more information about the workshop, see the August 25 announcement below.

September 6, 2006 (4:30 p.m.) - Transfer Service Meeting Scheduled on September 21:  The purpose of this meeting is discuss and clarify BPA's Long-Term Regional Dialogue proposal regarding Transfer Service issues with a specific focus on those issues identified in Exhibit A & B of the 20-Year Transfer Agreement.  The meeting is scheduled on Thursday, Sept. 21, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. at the offices of the Public Power Council, located at 825 NE Multnomah Blvd., Suite 1225, in Portland.  To participate by phone, please call Penny Hanson at (503) 230-4953.  [Note:  Exhibits A & B are available as attachments to the September 30, 2005 letter from Elliot Mainzer (PDF, 3 pages, 116 KB, posted October 3, 2005).]

August 28, 2006 - Regional Dialogue Workshop Scheduled on September 13:  A workshop has been scheduled on Wednesday, Sept. 13, to begin at approximately 10:30 a.m. following the CRAC/DDC workshop at 9 a.m., in the BPA Rates Hearing Room. The workshop will continue discussions of the interactions between High Water Marks and Tier 1 and Tier 2 service levels, plus a discussion on the allocation of costs between the tiers. The purpose of this workshop is to provide interested parties with an opportunity to continue developing the tiered rates methodology as introduced in the Long-Term Regional Dialogue Policy Proposal released on July 13, 2006.

August 25, 2006 - Regional Dialogue Workshop Scheduled on September 11:  A workshop has been scheduled on Monday, September 11, 1 - 4 p.m., in the BPA Rates Hearing Room.  The purpose of this workshop is to provide interested parties with an opportunity to ask clarifying questions on the Conservation portion of the Long-Term Regional Dialogue Policy Proposal.  Emphasis will be on Conservation between 2007 and 2010 and its impact on high water marks under various scenarios.  Materials will be made available prior to the meeting.  The goal of the meeting would be a broader understanding among all parties of the value of near-term conservation in the Long-Term Regional Dialogue.  Interested utilities and other parties are welcome to present their analysis as well.  To participate by phone, please call JoAnn Bas at (503) 230-4983.

August 24, 2006 - Public Meeting on benefits to direct-service industries announced: BPA today issued a letter (PDF, 2 pages, 134 KB) signed by Allen Burns, VP of Bulk Marketing and Transmission Services, announcing a public meeting on Sept. 8, from 10 - 4 p.m. in the BPA Rates Hearing Room. An electronic version of the the agenda (PDF, 1 pages, 107 KB, updated and reposted here on September 7, 2006) is available. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss the pros and cons of the various options for service to direct-service industries in the Long-Term Regional Dialogue and the impacts after 2011. During this meeting parties will also discuss the recently completed economic impact study regarding BPA providing benefits to DSIs.

August 18, 2006 - Updated Public Meeting Schedule:  An updated schedule of public meetings (PDF, 1 page, 101 KB) on the Long-Term Regional Dialogue Policy Proposal is now available.

August 15, 2006 - DSI Economic Study Released:  In March 2006, BPA asked interested regional parties to submit empirically based papers and studies that could help us understand the positive and negative impacts on Pacific Northwest jobs and the economy that may result from BPA providing benefits to the DSI smelters.  (See March 30, 2006 announcement)  The papers were evaluated by a panel of three independent experts selected by a group that included three delegates from the Public Power Council, three from the direct-service industries and one from an investor-owned utility.  They were then hired by the Northwest Power and Conservation Council.  The panel of experts has now completed its work and has submitted its report.  The report (PDF, 31 pages, 134 KB) is posted on the Council Web site.  Below are the papers submitted to BPA for use in preparing the final report (updated August 17, 2006):

• The Economic Impact of the Washington State Aluminum Industry - prepared by Dick Conway and Associates on behalf of Alcoa
  (PDF, 7 pages, 114 kb, posted here on August 17, 2006)
   
• Northwest Smelter Operating Outlook - prepared by CRU Strategies on behalf of Alcoa
  (PDF, 37 pages, 826 KB, posted here on August 15, 2006)
   
• Economic Impacts from Rate Increases to Non-DSI Federal Power Customers Resulting from Concessional Rates to the DSIs - prepared by Hamilton Water Economics and Economic Modeling Specialists, Inc. on behalf of the Public Power Council
  (PDF, 25 pages, 192 kb, posted here on August 15, 2006)
   
• An Assessment of the Employment and Income Impacts of the Primary Metals Industry in Wasco and Klickitat Counties
  (PDF, 32 scanned pages, 996 kb, posted at http://www.bpa.gov/power/pl/aluminumstudy/aluminumstudy.shtml on August 9, 2000)
   

August 8, 2006 - Agenda and Handout for August 9 Regional Dialogue Workshop:  An electronic version of the agenda (PDF, 1 page, 62 KB) is now available for the Regional Dialogue Workshop scheduled for Wednesday, August 9, from 10:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. in the BPA Rates Hearing Room.  An electronic version of the handout (PDF, 8 pages, 148 KB) also is available now.  To participate by phone, please call (503) 230-4297.

August 7, 2006 - New Time for August 9 Regional Dialogue Workshop:  The workshop scheduled for Wednesday, August 9, will now be held from 10:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., in the BPA Rates Hearing Room.  An electronic version of the draft agenda will be available soon.  The purpose of this workshop is to provide interested parties with an opportunity to discuss the timing, scope and approach to developing the tiered rates methodology as introduced in the Long-Term Regional Dialogue Policy Proposal released on July 13, 2006.

August 4, 2006 - Updated Public Meeting Schedule: An updated schedule of public meetings on the Long-Term Regional Dialogue Policy Proposal is now available.

August 4, 2006 - Regional Dialogue Workshop Scheduled on August 9: A workshop has been scheduled on Wednesday, August 9, 9 10:30 a.m. - 3 p.m., in the BPA Rates Hearing Room. An electronic version of the draft agenda will be available soon. The purpose of this workshop is to provide interested parties with an opportunity to discuss the timing, scope and approach to developing the tiered rates methodology as introduced in the Long-Term Regional Dialogue Policy Proposal released on July 13, 2006.  [Note: The start time for this meeting was changed from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.]

August 2, 2006 - Regional Dialogue Workshop Scheduled on August 8: A workshop has been scheduled on Tuesday, August 8, 9 - 11 a.m., in the BPA Rates Hearing Room. The purpose of this workshop is to provide interested parties with an opportunity to ask clarifying questions about the Dispute Resolution portion of the Long-Term Regional Dialogue Policy Proposal released on July 13, 2006

August 1, 2006 - Updated Public Meeting Schedule: An updated schedule of public meetings on the Long-Term Regional Dialogue Policy Proposal is now available.

July 28, 2006 - Regional Dialogue Workshop Scheduled on July 31: A workshop has been scheduled on Monday, July 31, 12:30 - 4 p.m., in the BPA Rates Hearing Room. An electronic version of the draft agenda (PDF, 1 page, 58 kb) is now available. The purpose of this workshop is to provide interested parties with an additional opportunity to ask clarifying questions about the Long-Term Regional Dialogue Policy Proposal released on July 13, 2006 To participate by phone, please call JoAnn Bas at (503) 230-4983.

July 19, 2006 - Regional Dialogue Workshop Scheduled on July 26:  A workshop has been scheduled on Wednesday, July 26, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., in the BPA Rates Hearing Room.  An electronic version of the draft agenda (PDF, 74 KB) is now available.  The purpose of this workshop is to provide interested parties with an opportunity to ask clarifying questions about the Long-Term Regional Dialogue Policy Proposal released on July 13, 2006.

July 13, 2006 - Long-Term Regional Dialogue Policy Proposal Released:  In a letter (PDF, 3 pages, 133 KB) today from Mark Gendron, Vice President of Requirements Marketing, BPA announced the release of its Long-Term Regional Dialogue Policy Proposal (PDF, 98 pages, 604 KB).  This release begins a public comment period in which BPA will continue to work with regional parties to reach consensus on the major policy issues addressed in the policy proposal.  The comment period is scheduled to close on September 29, 2006.  A series of public meetings (PDF, 1 page, 110 KB) have been scheduled throughout the region.  For more information, see the Issues Summary (PDF, 10 pages, 66 KB) and Backgrounder (PDF, 5 pages, 153 KB).  A news release was also issued today.  To submit comments, please see the public comments page at www.bpa.gov/comment.
[08-17-2006 Note: The Federal Register Notice of the Policy Proposal (FR Doc. E6-13033) was published on August 10, 2006, on page 45799.]