The NW Energy Coalition welcomes Travis Kavulla as the new Administrator for the Bonneville Power Administration

The NW Energy Coalition (NWEC) congratulates Administrator Kavulla on his appointment and we are excited for the expertise, energy and new ideas he brings to the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA). 

“BPA faces several challenges as the Northwest looks to meet rising energy demands, leverage our clean energy resources, ensure affordable power bills, and protect our iconic salmon runs,” said Tamara Kennedy, NWEC Executive Director. “We look forward to the deep experience and fresh thinking Mr. Kavulla brings to this role.” 

BPA plays a large role across our region by operating about 75 percent of the transmission system and marketing federal hydropower that supplies around one-third of our electric power. This scale means BPA’s policies, investments, and programs have a big impact on energy affordability and reliability for all customers across the Northwest. 

The priorities and decisions Administrator Kavulla makes will be consequential for the region. NWEC offers a few key areas for the Administrator to consider focusing on as he takes the helm:

• Energy Efficiency: For many years, energy efficiency has played a key role in meeting the region’s energy needs and controlling electricity bills. We encourage Administrator Kavulla to increase and accelerate BPA’s efforts to help all customers use energy efficiently.

• Transmission: BPA is taking on major initiatives to increase our shared transmission system used by all utilities and power producers in the Northwest. Expanding and modernizing our transmission system is essential to meet growing energy needs, integrate the Northwest’s vast clean energy potential, and increase reliability in the face of changing weather. Achieving these outcomes will require continued and concerted effort and fresh thinking and approaches to address huge backlogs of projects and infrastructure needs. 

• Markets: We also join many other organizations across the region in urging Administrator Kavulla to keep BPA in the Western Energy Imbalance Market (WEIM) and reconsider its day-ahead market choice.  Remaining in this major Western power market will continue to protect grid reliability and keep costs down for all customers in the Northwest while also providing time for BPA to reconsider its day-ahead market choice.

With our changing climate, the hydrosystem is becoming more variable. Bonneville’s efforts can open up opportunities that diversify and accelerate our clean energy resources, help fish and wildlife thrive, and keep customer bills affordable. We look forward to working together with Administrator Kavulla to meet the momentous challenges and opportunities ahead.