Tuesday, September 1, 2015

USA: PacifiCorp to Join California Independent System Operator and Expand Renewable Energy Market

Plans to join PacifiCorp with CAISO grid move closer to reality (Utility Dive)

Bringing PacifiCorp into CAISO operations is expected to open new markets for California’s growing supply of renewables.

The integration of PacifiCorp, the vertically-integrated Western utility owned by Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway Inc's., as the California Independent System Operator (CAISO)’s 17th transmission-owning member was set in motion by a memorandum of understanding signed in April.
The MOU set up a joint feasibility study of the plan to incorporate the Warren Buffett-owned regulated utilities into the only competitive wholesale market in the West. The cost-benefit study is currently being completed by Energy + Environmental Economics (E3).

Because the integration of PacifiCorp would require approval by California lawmakers, the ISO and PacifiCorp are helping draft language that would theoretically be brought before the state legislature before the current session closes in mid-September.

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