Message-ID: <12484601.1075859839481.JavaMail.evans@thyme> Date: Thu, 26 Apr 2001 11:47:00 -0700 (PDT) From: grs4ferc@starpower.net Subject: GRS' FERCwatch - 4/26/01 Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ANSI_X3.4-1968 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit X-From: "GRS/FERCwatch" X-To: X-cc: X-bcc: X-Folder: \Mark_Haedicke_Jun2001\Notes Folders\Notes inbox X-Origin: Haedicke-M X-FileName: mhaedic.nsf GADSDEN RESEARCH SERVICES' FERCwatch? ?Issued?April?26,?2001 ? ELECTRIC?/ HYDRO?Report: ? COMMISSION ESTABLISHES PROSPECTIVE MITIGATION AND MONITORING PLAN FOR CALIFORNIA WHOLESALE ELECTRIC MARKETS San Diego Gas & Electric Company, et al., Docket Nos. EL00-95-012, et al. (04/26/01) [View Order] [View?complete press release] ? (the following is excerpted from FERC press release) ? The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission announced a plan designed to bring price relief to the dysfunctional California electric market, provide greater price certainty to buyers and sellers of electric power, and promote conservation while encouraging investment in generation and transmission. ? The California plan, striking a balance between energy suppliers and consumers, provides for forward-looking price mitigation, ongoing market monitoring and development of demand reduction programs. Prices should be mitigated before they are charged, not after, be market-oriented and adopt market solutions, the Commission said. The plan will be in place for a period not to exceed one year. ? Chairman Curt L. H,bert, Jr. said, "Today's order reflects bold and imaginative thinking by the Commission staff and my colleague, Commissioner Linda K. Breathitt. California consumers can rest assured that the Commission has been attentive to their problems, and has worked tirelessly to ensure that they receive necessary relief in a manner that does not compound current problems or undermine longer-term solutions." ? The mitigation plan directs the California Independent System Operator (ISO) to file a regional transmission organization (RTO) proposal with the Commission by June 1, 2001. ? COMMISSION ACCEPTS OUTLINE OF BROAD WESTERN RTO, ITC; NOTES IMPORTANCE OF INTERRELATED WESTERN ENERGY MARKET RTO West, Docket Nos. RT01-35-000 and RT01-15-000 (04/26/01) [View Order] [View complete press release] ? (the following is excerpted from the FERC press release) ? The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission today accepted as a "first step" key parts of a proposal for a broad regional transmission organization (RTO) that will span eight western states. Today's order also accepts a proposal for an independent transmission company (ITC) within the RTO structure (RT01-15-000). ? Noting the recent power market problems experienced in California and throughout the West, the Commission emphasized the regional nature of the electric marketplace and said these issues highlight the substantial benefits that an RTO will provide. RTO West can serve as an anchor for the ultimate formation of a West-wide RTO, the Commission said. ? RTO West, a non-profit organization with an independent board that will act as the independent system operator, includes Avista Corporation, the federal utility Bonneville Power Administration, Idaho Power Company, Montana Power Company, Nevada Power Company, Pacificorp, Portland General Electric Company, Puget Sound Energy, Inc. and Sierra Pacific Power Company (RT01-35). RTO West will operate more than 90 percent of the high voltage transmission facilities from the U.S.-Canadian border to southern Nevada, the Commission noted. The RTO will not own transmission facilities, but will control each participating owners' transmission facilities. ? In today's order, the Commission addressed RTO West's proposals on governance, scope and configuration, and liability issues. ? _________________________________________________________ ______________________________ ? NATURAL GAS / OIL?Report: ? Southern Natural Gas Company,?CP01-161-000 (04/20/01) -- Pipeline certificate application for North System Expansion II Project to increase the capacity of Southern's system by 33,000 Mcf per day to provide additonal winter service to Alabama Gas Corporation and the City of Sylacauga, Alabama and to provide 52,000 Mcf of system capacity available during the summer season to Calhoun Power Company I, LLC. VIEW DOCUMENT REQUEST A COPY: ?grs4ferc@starpower.net. ? Georgia Strait Crossing Pipeline LP, CP01-176-000, CP01-177-000, CP01-178-000?(04/24/01) -- Application for the necessary authorizations?for the construction and operation of?pipeline?facilities in the State of Washington as part of the Georgia Strait Crossing Project in conjunction with an associated Canadian pipeline system proposed by GSX Canada Limited Partnership.? The?GSX-US system will have an interconnect with Westcoast Energy Inc. at the U.S./Canadian international boder at the market hub at Sumas, Washington/Huntingdon, British Columbia, providing direct access to the Canadian pipeline grid and an interconnection with Northwest Pipeline Corporation to provide direct access to the U.S. pipeline grid.? From the interconnects at the Sumas/Huntingdon market hub, the GSX-US system will extend through Whatcom and San Juan Counties, Washington to an offshore interconnect at the international?border with GSX-Canada.? The GSX-Canada system will extend approximately 37.5 miles from the interconnect with GSX-US to an interconnect with the existing system of Centra Gas British Columbia Inc., a distribution affiliate of Westcoast, near Shawnigan Lake on Vancouver Island, British Columbia.? An open season for firm transportation capacity on the GSX-US system resulted in a binding Precedent Agreement with Powerex Corp., an energy marketing affiliate of British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority, which requires the capaicty to meet BC Hydro's obligations to supply natural gas to two new generating plants on Vancouver Island.? The agreement with Powerex is for 100% of the initial certificated design capacity of GSX-US (94,000 Dth per day) for a 30-year term.? GSX-US is sponsored by Williams Gas Pipeline Company, and?GSX-Canada?by BC Hydro . VIEW DOCUMENT REQUEST A COPY: ?grs4ferc@starpower.net. ________________________________________ ? [To request a copy of any of the above listed? filings, please call 202-255-4771 or toll-free, 1-877-544-4771; or send an e-mail to?grs4ferc@starpower.net)] ?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? ?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? ????????????????????????????????? ? GRS' FERCwatch e-mail notification is a free courtesy service of Gadsden Research Services, energy research and document retrieval specialists.? Periodically (generally once or twice weekly), GRS will broadcast FERCwatch with descriptions of?major FERC issuances or filings such as rulemakings, policy statements, mergers,?new rate filings, major?rate changes, and certificate filings. ? GRS can provide hardcopies?of any of the above listed items at nominal charges;?for document requests or estimates of charges, please reply to?grs4ferc@starpower.net?or call 202.255.4771 (toll free, 1.877.544.4771). ? 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