Federal energy regulators Dec. 7 ordered the Bonneville Power Administration to develop a plan to prevent discriminating against Pacific Northwest wind power generators. The wind generators’ access to transmission was restricted last spring when water ran high and the agency had excess hydropower. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission told Bonneville to file within 90 days a revised tariff outlining how it will provide wind generators access under terms “comparable to those under which Bonneville provides transmission services to itself and that are not unduly discriminatory or preferential.” FERC’s order came in response to complaints from a number of wind generators last June, including, Iberdrola Renewables, NextEra Energy Resources, Invenergy Wind North America, Horizon Wind Energy, and PacifiCorp. The wind generators went to FERC after Bonneville curtailed their transmission to dispose of excess hydropower last spring when there was heavy runoff (Current, May 27, 2011). At the time, Bonneville said it had no practical choice. If it did not run the water through dam turbines, it would have had to spill the water in violation of federal clean water rules. The rules ban spilling because it adds nitrogen to the water from the air, which can kill salmon and other protected fish when it reaches sufficient levels along the Columbia River system. FERC spokesperson Craig Cano called the situation “unique” and could not recall a time when dam operators have had to curtail other generators due to high water flows. Bonneville was not happy with the decision. “We are surprised and very disappointed,” stated Bonneville administrator Steve Wright. Since the situation occurred last spring Bonneville has been negotiating with wind generators and others to find a solution going forward, he said. “We believe it is the region’s responsibility to find the most appropriate way to address this challenge.” Initially, Bonneville suggested that wind generators may have lost some $50 million as a result of curtailment. However, FERC noted in its order that after more carefully examining what happened the loss was probably closer to just $2 million. Nevertheless, the federal regulators found that Bonneville’s actions were discriminatory to the wind generators and ordered changes.