Northwest in excess

The Bonneville Power Administration’s power buyback scheme to tackle electricity shortages in the US Pacific Northwest in 2001 has worked rather too well. The region was left with bankrupt aluminium producers and a surplus of power that is not proving easy to shift, finds Joe Marsh

elecricty-gif
Three years ago, the US Pacific Northwest was sufferingfrom a major powershortage. But these days, the region – comprising Oregon, Washington, Idahoand southern British Columbia – is trying to work off a surplus of electricity,due to the legacy of its power buyback scheme and the shutdown of most of thealuminium smelters that fuelled the region’s economy.

The death of the region’s aluminium business has widely been attributedto the actions of a federal power marketing agency based in Portland

Only users who have a paid subscription or are part of a corporate subscription are able to print or copy content.

To access these options, along with all other subscription benefits, please contact info@risk.net or view our subscription options here: http://subscriptions.risk.net/subscribe

You are currently unable to copy this content. Please contact info@risk.net to find out more.

Sorry, our subscription options are not loading right now

Please try again later. Get in touch with our customer services team if this issue persists.

New to Risk.net? View our subscription options

Most read articles loading...

You need to sign in to use this feature. If you don’t have a Risk.net account, please register for a trial.

Sign in
You are currently on corporate access.

To use this feature you will need an individual account. If you have one already please sign in.

Sign in.

Alternatively you can request an individual account here