Operator

FERC last week conditionally approved the formation of the12-member Midwest independent system operator (ISO), but somecommissioners expressed disappointment that moretransmission-owning utilities from the region hadn’t joined yet.

FERC last week conditionally approved the formation of the12-member Midwest independent system operator (ISO), but somecommissioners expressed disappointment that moretransmission-owning utilities from the region hadn’t joined yet.

After counseling from some of its board members, the CaliforniaIndependent System Operator (ISO) has decided not to seek relieffrom the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for an unprecedentedprice spike it experienced July 9 for reserve power in California’srestructured electricity markets, according to an ISO spokesperson.

FERC last week gave New York utilities a conditional go-ahead tocreate the New York Independent System Operator (NYISO), making itthe fourth ISO that the Commission has approved so far.

Despite a three-month delay because of technical interfaceproblems, the California Independent System Operator and theCalifornia Power Exchange Corp. (PX) announced they have completeda week’s worth of testing and have notified FERC they’re ready toopen the statewide electricity market on March 31. They intend tocommence operations by accepting bids in the Day Ahead market onMarch 31 with the first full day of operations being the day after.