85 



11 



Periodically, BPA conducts intensive detailed comparisons of its design criteria 

 and unit costs for various transmission facilities with a number of U.S. utilities. 

 In these comparisons, the cost of BPA facilities at 500 kv and 230 kv have 

 been some of the lowest in North America. 



We believe very little savings could be accomplished between FY 94 to FY 96 

 by turning over construction to local utilities for 115 kv facilities. In years 

 past, BPA has built a significant number of 1 15 kv lines. The BPA system has a 

 total of approximately 3,300 miles of 115 kv. However, during the last five 

 years, BPA has completed only 2 miles of new 1 1 5 kv line. For FY 1994 to 

 1998 we anticipate building only 15 miles of new 1 15 kv line as part of a larger 

 construction program involving 500 kv construction. 



At the present time, we are unaware of other areas related to transmission that 

 could be transferred to local utilities. As part of the competitiveness initiative 

 we will however, continue to look at all areas of transmission line and 

 substation design and construction at voltages of 1 1 5 kv and above to 

 determine how, all things considered, these projects can be built in the most 

 cost effective manner. 



Has an independent entity conducted a top to bottom review of the efficiency 

 of BPA operations? If not, does BPA intend to initiate such an independent 

 review? 



BPA has not had an independent entity review its operations. However, BPA 

 has initiated an internal (function-by-function) review of the entire agency's 

 operating efficiency. This will be a customer-based, quality-based review. It 

 will focus on what the customers need, what BPA produces to meet that need, 



