DATC/Western Area Power Administration Project
Steve Mitnick is Editor-in-Chief of Public Utilities Fortnightly and author of the book “Lines Down: How We Pay, Use, Value Grid Electricity Amid the Storm.”
California’s Central Valley is one of the most productive agricultural regions in the world, producing more than half of the fruits, vegetables and nuts grown in the United States. The farmers there need large quantities of water, and to get that water to their fields they need electricity. The Western Area Power Administration, in partnership with the Duke-American Transmission Company, is developing a new high-voltage transmission line to connect a local pumping and generating plant to the end users – farmers and Central Valley water agencies.
PUF’s Steve Mitnick interviewed people in the Central Valley who are working on the new project, as well as those who will benefit from the lower costs the new line will provide.
See interviews below:
Subhash Paluru, Western Area Power Administration
George Dawe, Duke-American Transmission Company
Anthea Hansen, Del Puerto Water District
Frances Mizuno, San Luis & Delta-Mendota Water Authority
Dan Pope, Westlands Water District
Barry Mortimeyer, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation.
