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50 Denv. J. Int'l L. & Pol'y 57 (2021-2022)
Modernizing the Western Grid: An Analysis of the Implementation of Regional Transmission Organizations in the Western United States

handle is hein.journals/denilp50 and id is 57 raw text is: MODERNIZING THE WESTERN GRID: AN ANALYSIS OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF REGIONAL TRANSMISSION ORGANIZATIONS IN THE WESTERN UNITED STATES CHRIS HANSEN, PHD.* & PETER HELLERt INTRODUCTION Most of the United States currently benefits from regional markets; however, the Western United States (West) still operates on thirty-seven uncoordinated grids, excluding the California Independent System Operator (CAISO).1 There are seven regional transmission organizations (RTOs) and independent system operators (ISOs) in the United States, including Southwest Power Pool (SPP), Midcontinent ISO (MISO), PJM Interconnection, New York ISO (NYISO), New Brunswick Sys- tem Operator (ISO-NE), CAISO, and Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT).2 RTOs are non-profit organizations that operate, control and monitor multi-state electric grid systems; because electricity transference is considered inter- state commerce, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) regulates the majority of the U.S. electric grids. An ISO is an independent organization that also monitors the electric grid and are regulated under FERC, but RTOs have jurisdiction over larger geographic areas.3 While an RTO or ISO does not own any of the generation or transmission as- sets, it serves their footprint by providing transmission management and planning, maintaining reliable operation of the interconnected grid, and managing the market *Senator Chris Hansen represents East Denver in the Colorado State Senate and is the Chairman of Ap- propriations Committee and member of the Joint Budget Committee. He specializes in energy economics and data analytics, with 20+ years of experience in the global energy industry and five years in the Colo- rado General Assembly. Dr. Hansen holds a BSc in Nuclear Engineering from Kansas State University; a Graduate Diploma of Civil Engineering from the University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa; a Mas- ter of Science in Engineering Systems from MIT; and a PhD in Economic Geography from Oxford Uni- versity. tPeter Heller received his BSc in Environmental Engineering from the University of Colorado Boulder and currently works as the Policy Director to State Senator Chris Hansen. He is interested in the intersec- tion of engineering research and environmental policy, including decarbonizing the energy sector and promoting water conservation. His goal is use his technical background to inform public policy to create a more sustainable environment. 1. U.S. Electric System is Made Up of Interconnections and Balancing Authorities, U.S. EIA (July 20, 2016), https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=27152. 2. About 60% of the U.S. Electric Power Supply is Managed by RTOs, U.S. EIA (Apr. 4, 2011), https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=790. 3. RTOs and ISOs, FERC, https://www.ferc.gov/electric/power-sales-and-markets/rtos-and-isos (last visited Dec. 1, 2021). 57

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