Operator

The Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Maryland (PJM) IndependentSystem Operator (ISO) has received approval for transmissionfacilities to interconnect over 40 new power generating sources tothe grid. In a meeting Aug. 1, the board of managers of PJMInterconnection approved the remaining elements of what is to bethe first coordinated regional transmission expansion under the PJMISO structure.

Given that the New York Independent System Operator (NYISO) isalready working to remedy market flaws in its system, FERC rejectedthe relief sought by Niagara Mohawk Energy Marketing Inc. (NIMOMarketing) in connection with the NYISO’s software-related failureto export power to the Pennsylvania-New Jersey-Maryland (PJM)system in early May.

Facing more power alerts, near-record demand and strongpolitical pressure, the California Independent System Operator(Cal-ISO) Board Monday voted, 15-6, to lower the price cap to$250/MW for ancillary services, and spent another day discussingwhat combination of fixed-price supply deals and infrastructureupgrades can help the state avoid blackouts and rolling brownoutsthe rest of this summer. The price cap lowering is effective Aug.7.

Sea Robin Pipeline reported being notified by Amerada Hess,operator of the Sea Robin Gas Processing Plant, that the plant hasresumed processing gas after a period of maintenance that began lastweek (see Daily GPI, July 12). Thepipeline resumed generating LTA (liquids transaction agreement)nominations Tuesday.

The New York Independent System Operator has filed a requestwith FERC to implement temporary power bid caps of $1,300/MWh forenergy until Oct. 28 (see docket EL00-3038). The ISO requested awaiver of the normal Commission notice period and an effective datefor the caps of July 6.

The New York Independent System Operator has filed a requestwith FERC to implement temporary power bid caps of $1,300/MWh forenergy until Oct. 28 (see docket EL00-3038). The ISO requested awaiver of the normal Commission notice period and an effective datefor the caps of July 6.

Responding to state political pressure triggered by incumbentutilities, the California Independent System Operator’s (Cal-ISO’s)board will meet today in a special session to reconsider its movelast week to lower wholesale power price caps to $500/MWh in theface of a continuing grid and peak generation reliability crunch.

It’s been less than a month since FERC scolded the New York Independent System Operator (NYISO) for blunders that resulted in the rejection of commercially viable power imports, but the ISO is under the gun again, this time for computer-related snafus that rejected commercially viable power exports to the Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Maryland ISO (see NGI, June 5 and May 8).

Less than a month after FERC scolded the New York IndependentSystem Operator (NYISO) for failing in its responsibilities byrejecting commercially viable power imports, the ISO is under the gunagain, this time for computer-related snafus that rejectedcommercially viable power exports to the Pennsylvania, New Jersey andMaryland ISO (see Daily GPI, June 1).