Pacific northwest electricity market

• In most years, the Pacific Northwest sells surplus power into California and the Southwest.
• About two-thirds of all the electricity in this region comes from hydroelectric production ==> the quantity of surplus power depends heavily on precipitation ==> Water flow in this region directly affects the price of power in California.
• Melting snow from the Cascade Mountain range, which runs through central Washington and Oregon, is a major source of river water.
• To the west of the mountains are several major population centers: Seatle, Washington, and Portland, Oregon. The climate in these regions is fairly temperate all year.
• To the east of the mountains is the start of the northern plains state. This area is characterized by cold winters and hot summers.
• Mid Columbia (MIDC): is a delivery hub for a number of hydroelectric plants on the Columbia River.
• California-Oregon Border (COB): is a major switching station in southern Oregon, adjacent to the California border, that interconnects several major transmission lines.