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Enron Mail |
In the public meeting today, the Commissioners approved RTO status for Grid=
=20 South, RT01-74 with certain conditions imposed. The conditions are that Gri= d=20 South continue to expand with additional members; Santee Cooper must be=20 included in the Grid South RTO and denies Grid South=01,s proposed veto rig= hts=20 (must modify to ensure selection of board members represents more=20 participation by stakeholders) =01) must maintain its independence; and ord= ers=20 Grid South to resurrect original list of board candidates for another revie= w. FERC rejected Southern Company=01,s application, RT01-77, for RTO status fi= nding=20 that the conditions of Order No. 2000 have not been met. The application is= =20 rejected as being too inclusive. Chair Hebert stated that single company RT= O=20 will not be accepted and are not the future. FERC wants to see good regiona= l=20 member participation. Commissioner Massey concurs on Grid South order; dissents in part in Southe= rn=20 Company order, (expressed dismay over pricing issues finding that since the= =20 application has been rejected, there is no reason to address pricing issues= =20 in rejection). The Commission discussed the order, EL 01-47, for relief to the California= =20 and western state markets. The order announces certain action to be taken t= o=20 increase supply and reduce demand. As stated, the actions are: 1) require= =20 California ISO and transmission owners to file grid enhancements that can b= e=20 achieved in short-term; 2) extends and broadens temporary waivers of=20 operating and efficiency standards and fuel use requirements for QFs; 3)=20 waives prior notice requirements and grants market-based rate authority for= =20 wholesale power sales; 4) authorizes retail/wholesale customers to reduce= =20 consumption to resell their load reduction at wholesale at market-based=20 rates; 5) announces staff conference this Spring to discuss hydro-licensees= ,=20 resource agencies the possibility of increased generation consistent with= =20 environmental protection. Addtionally, the order seeks comments by March 30= ,=20 1) rate incentives for electric transmission and gas facilities that provid= e=20 additional capacity in the short term; 2) use of interconnect authority=20 (Section 210.d of FPA) to help alleviate impediments to additional supply; = 3)=20 waiving natural gas blanket certificate regulations to increase the dollar= =20 limits for facilities under automatic authorization and prior notice=20 authorization; 4) offering blanket certificates for construction for=20 acquisition of portable compressor stations to enhance pipeline capacity to= =20 California; 5) allowing for greater flexibility that license hydroelectric= =20 projects to increase generation while protecting environmental resources.= =20 FERC Commissioners intend to meet with Western state commissioners and othe= r=20 regulators to discuss price volatility and other FERC related issues that= =20 have recently been identified by the western governors. This will be a=20 one-day conference.=20
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