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• They have the ability to provide transmission of a resource to a load center on their 

 backbone transmission. They have near monopoly control of access to Southwest 

 markets over the Intertie. 



• BPA's strengths in resource acquisition lie in their ability to provide services such as 

 load factoring and storage that can enhance the value of a resource. They are able to do 

 so because of the flexibility inherent in the existing hydro system. 



These strengths and monopolies enjoyed by BPA largely explain why BPA has been 

 unsuccessful in fostering resource development and in acquiring cost-effective generation 

 and conservation resources. 



As far as their weaknesses are concerned, they lie primarily in their inability to make 

 decisions in a timely manner. This is related to a stifling internal bureaucracy, federal 

 procurement procedures, and having too many people involved in the process. 



In the area of resource acquisition, BPA is erratic in its resource acquisition decisions, 

 slow and cumbersome in acquiring resources and unresponsive to customer and market 

 forces. BPA appears more interested in the process than the result. They seem to feel 

 that the process is a product. Consequently, BPA is missing cost-effective resource 

 opportunities, stifling resource development by its customers, and unnecessarily 

 increasing the cost of resources ultimately acquired to the detriment of taxpayers and 

 Northwest ratepayers. 



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