Caiso

FERC on Thursday approved a group of market changes by the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) to mitigate against risks of power outages this summer due to the closure of the state’s largest underground natural gas storage facility in Southern California (see Daily GPI,May 19). As a result, generators in the area are expected to pay more for gas-fired generation this summer.

California’s electric grid operator said on Wednesday that summer power supplies should be adequate even after the closure of the state’s largest natural gas storage facility in Southern California.

The expansion of the western electricity grid promises $3.4-9.1 billion in cost reductions the first 20 years, according to a study issued Tuesday by the California Independent System Operator (CAISO), which is considering integrating with Portland, OR-based PacifiCorp.

Spot gas for Thursday delivery fell often in Wednesday's trading, led for the most part by falling next-day power prices and forecasts of moderating trends in key eastern population centers.

Spot gas for Thursday delivery fell often in Wednesday’s trading, led for the most part by falling next-day power prices and forecasts of moderating trends in key eastern population centers. East and Northeast points suffered losses of up to a half dollar at some points, but the Gulf, Midwest and Midcontinent, and Rockies also weakened. California prices were steady to higher.

The wholesale electricity market last year in California stayed competitive despite record low hydroelectric supplies and rising natural gas prices, according to a report released Monday by the market monitoring unit at the California Independent System Operator.

The wholesale electricity market last year in California stayed competitive despite record low hydroelectric supplies and rising natural gas prices, according to a report released Monday by the market monitoring unit at the California Independent System Operator (CAISO).

A new low in California's worsening drought was reached Monday when state officials reported that the state's snowpack is down to zero…

A new low in California’s worsening drought was reached Monday when state officials reported that the state’s snowpack is down to zero, an inevitability after the measurement of 5% of normal when the same measurements were taken two months earlier.