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Drummond Named BPA Admin Staff The Chronicle, January 23, 2013

The Energy Department has chosen Bill Drummond to be the new administrator for the Bonneville Power Administration, one of the four Power Marketing Administrations (PMAs) the department oversees. As BPA's Administrator, Drummond will be responsible for managing the non-profit federal agency, which markets carbon-free power from Columbia River hydroelectric dams and the region's one nuclear plant. BPA also operates most of the surrounding power grid, distributing wind and other energy to the Pacific Northwest and beyond. Drummond's leadership of BPA is part of a larger strategy for each of the Department's PMAs to help lead the 21st century transformation of our nation's electricity sector. Reliable and affordable electricity is a foundation of economic growth and a resilient electric grid also helps to better protect our national security. Drummond currently serves as BPA's deputy administrator and has worked in the energy industry for over 30 years.

"The leadership of BPA is critically important because America's continued global competiveness in the 21st century will be significantly affected by whether we can efficiently produce and distribute electricity to businesses and consumers, seamlessly integrating new technologies and new sources of power," said Secretary of Energy Steven Chu. "I look forward to working with Bill Drummond to help lead BPA's transition to a more flexible, resilient, and reliable electric grid and establish much greater coordination among system operators in partnership with its customers."

"The Bonneville Power Administration is truly fortunate to have Bill Drummond as its new Administrator to lead the agency," said Deputy Secretary of Energy Daniel Poneman. "Drummond has a stellar track record during his time at BPA and throughout his career in the energy sector, and I am fully confident in his ability to provide the highest level of leadership and service to BPA's customers, constituents, and employees. I also want to thank Administrator Steve Wright for his outstanding leadership of BPA and congratulate him for his achievements over the past 12 years in which he has served as Administrator."

"Bonneville represents the best expression of public vision and achievement; collaborative relationships, environmental stewardship and a commitment to operational excellence," said Drummond. "I am grateful for this opportunity and look forward to my new role at BPA."

Drummond began serving as BPA's deputy administrator in October 2011, which included providing strategic leadership and executive management to the agency. In addition to his responsibilities as deputy, he oversaw the agency's General Counsel, and Compliance and Governance, Risk Management, Internal Audit, Public Affairs, Finance, and Corporate Strategy functions.

Before joining BPA, Drummond was manager of the Western Montana Electric Generating and Transmission Cooperative in Missoula, Montana, for 17 years. From 1988-94, he led the Public Power Council, an association of all Northwest publicly-owned utilities. During his 30 years in the energy industry, Drummond has been a leader on many regional task forces and committees, including the Bonneville Environmental Foundation, Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance, Northwest Wind Integration Forum and Northwest Energy Efficiency Task Force. Nationally, he has served on committees of the American Public Power Association and the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.

Drummond holds degrees in forestry from the University of Montana and economics from the University of Arizona.

The Energy Department conducted a competitive process under the federal civil service rules to select a new BPA Administrator. BPA has annual revenues exceeding $3.2 billion, over 3,100 full-time employees, and employs approximately 1,500 contractors. Current BPA Administrator Steve Wright announced his plans to retire in June of last year, and Drummond will begin serving as Administrator following Wright's retirement early next month.