NCEP releases two mini guides to discuss state-level electricity, transmission siting and engagement

In an effort to push dialogue between state and regional transmission organizations, the National Council on Electricity Policy (NCEP) recently issued two mini guides of collaborative approaches, lessons learned, and interviews focused on transmission siting and engagement.

The first, the Mini Guide on Transmission Siting: State Agency Decision Making, addressed the state agencies responsible for reviewing and approving/denying electric transmission line siting, dividing them into four major categories: public utility commissions, siting boards, other state agencies, and local decision-making. It went on to outline the interests each needs to balance as they navigate different state processes and the relative consistencies many such structures share.

“The mini guide highlights that, despite organization differences, states share common approaches to transmission siting. For example, independence and public visibility of the siting process are recognized as key values across jurisdictions,” Commissioner Sarah Freeman of the Indiana Utility Regulatory Agency said.

The second, the Engagement between States and Regional Transmission Organizations guide, offered insights into the relationships between organizations, operators, and committees in four regions: MISO and the Organization of MISO States, ISO-New England and the New England States Committee on Electricity, Southwest Power Pool and the SPP RSC, as well as PJM and the Organization of PJM States.

“Understanding how decision-making occurs at RTOs and ISOs is critically important to ensuring just and reasonable rates for customers,” said Commissioner ToNola Brown-Bland, of the North Carolina Utilities Commission and president of NCEP. “The mini guide offers important examples of state and regional coordination, which can support commissions, energy offices, and other state decision makers in conveying their policy priorities to the RTOs and ISOs that manage the bulk power system in many states.”

Through this lens, this guide provided background and overviews of the functions of RTOS and RSCs, the engagement within states related to RTOs, and examples of successful collaboration, backed by interviews with related executives and commissioners.

The U.S. Department of Energy supported the creation of both guides.