Newsroom

Highlights of key developments in the modernization and expansion of the nation’s electric grid, with an emphasis on public policy initiatives driving that evolution and WIRES’ role the field.

    WIRES Newsletters

2013: March/April 2013
2012: Jan/Feb 2012 April/May 2012 June/July 2012 Aug/Sept 2012     Nov/Dec 2012
2011: Feb/March 2011 June/July 2011 Sept/Oct 2011

Media Coverage of Transmission

12/20/2012 EEI Survey Shows Transmission and Distribution Investment, Edison Electric Institute

News Flash: FERC Approves NERC's Revisions to BES Definition, TransmissionHub

TransmissionHub Webcast “2013 Outlook for Transmission,” December 2012 [login required]

12/19/2012 NYISO Plan Calls for Planning Coordination That Facilitates Transmission Investment, TransmissionHub

12/18/2012 Feds Approve Transmission Line Targeted For Wind Energy Access In Utah, RenewGrid

EEI Survey: T & D Investment Surpassed $30bn in 2011, TransmissionHub

12/13/2012 MISO Board Approves Seven New Transmission-Owning Members, EnergyCentral

12/10/2012 Panel: Proposed and Unanticipated Changes Will Come From FERC Order 1000, TransmissionHub

12/06/2012 Obama’s Second Term Looks Positive for Transmission, TransmissionHub

12/05/2012 Azar: Identifying Decision-Makers is Key on Siting Transmission, TransmissionHub

PJM Board Approves Nearly $1 Billion in Electric Transmission Upgrades to Keep Power Flowing [release], The Business Journals

11/28/2012 Canada Week: Integrated Electric Grid Improves Reliability for United States, Canada, The Financial

11/20/2012 National Research Council Calls for Universal Recovery Transformers to Strengthen Grid Against Terrorist Attacks, TransmissionHub

11/16/2012 Protecting the Electric Grid from Terrorism -- Nobody is in Charge, Forbes

11/15/2012 Bipartisan group to offer Obama transmission policy recommendations, Platts

11/14/2012 Bipartisan group to offer Obama transmission policy recommendations, Platts

11/08/2012 Panelists: FERC Order 1000, EPA Regulations to Impact Transmission Outlook, TranmissionHub

11/07/2012 Entergy CEO: 'Substantial progress' made in proposed move to MISO, TransmissionHub

Why a Revolutionary Approach for Electrical Transmission Lines Matters, Natural Resources Defense Council (blog)

Following Obama’s Reelection, Developers Remain Bullish on Transmission, TransmissionHub

WIRES: President Obama Must Renew Focus on Transmission, TransmissionHub

11/05/2012 Entergy CEO: 'Substantial progress' made in proposed move to MISO, TransmissionHub

10/30/2012 SPP director: Challenges of integrating renewables include lack of transmission, TransmissionHub

10/26/2012 PJM Interconnection, MISO Announce Order 1000 Filings With FERC, RenewGrid

10/25/2012 PJM FERC Order 1000 compliance filing includes state agreement approach, TransmissionHub

10/23/2012 Alberta proposes new rules for transmission lines, Sun News

10/19/2012 NYISO: 'Most significant' tariff changes arise from Order 1000's public policy requirement, TransmissionHub

Cal-ISO: Order 1000 proposal exceeds ROFR requirements, promotes independent transmission, TransmissionHub

Information related to FERC’s November 15, 2012 Meeting

10/18/2012 FERC denies rehearing of ROFR requirement in Order 1000-A, TransmissionHub

10/17/2012 PJM Interconnection And New York ISO Boards Commit To Broader Regional Markets Initiative, Intelligent Utility

Decisions and Other Information from FERC’s October 18, 2012 Meeting

10/15/2012 Transmission included in AWEA's recommended best practices for offshore wind, TransmissionHub

Region part of power line plan, EnergyCentral

Order 1000 Filing Strengthens Existing Planning Approaches for all MISO Stakeholders, EnergyCentral

10/14/2012 Defense Secretary: grid is vulnerable, Intelligent Utility

Blog - A recap: The Year of Order 1000, TransmissionHub

10/10/2012 Transmission project using area wind power set for completion in 2013, EnergyCentral

Blog - A recap: The Year of Order 1000, TransmissionHub (October 10, 2012)

California's renewable-energy plans may hinge on presidential race

10/9/2012 BLM: Final impact statement for proposed transmission line available for public review, St. George News

Transmission project using area wind power set for completion in 2013, LubbockOnline.com

MISO Discusses Future of the Electricity Grid with Midwest Governors, Intelligent Utility

10/8/2012 WECC report: Building transmission in the West costs $1m to $3m/mile, TransmissionHub

10/5/2012 Entergy Files Request To Spin Off Mississippi Electric Transmission, RTT News

10/1/2012 DOI Green Lights Transmission Line For Giant California Solar Project, Renew Grid

OVERNIGHT ENERGY: Drilling, climate, power grid in focus, The Hill

9/27/2012 Details for October 18, 2012 FERC Meeting

MISO uses smart grid technology to improve reliability, Electric Light & Power

Proposed Transmission Line Would Help Integrate More Renewables In Ontario, Renew Grid

9/26/2012 FERC's proposed changes to capacity allocation policy generate strong support, TransmissionHub

Proposed Transmission Line Would Help Integrate More Renewables In Ontario, Renew Grid

9/21/2012 Large-scale offshore wind build-out may shift U.S. power flow, TransmissionHub

9/20/2012 New FERC Office to Focus on Cyber Security, FERC

Electric grid regulator creates cybersecurity office, The Hill

Lack of transmission lines keeps N.M. from meeting solar potential, EnergyCentral

9/19/2012 We’re Being Kept in the Dark More Often, Face the Facts USA

Agenda for FERC’s September 20, 2012 Meeting

Industry members: planned interstate compact for transmission siting ‘a good start’, TransmissionHub (September 19, 2012)

Business Leaders Urge Congress to Extend Renewable Energy Tax Credit, Power Engineering Magazine

9/18/2012 State Legislators Close to Agreement on Multi-state Transmission Line Siting Compact, TransmissionHub

Sun-drenched Southwest needs more transmission lines to become nation's solar powerhouse, startribune.com

9/13/2012 FERC Mulls Bulk Electric Definition, ETC.coop

9/10/2012 California Planning Transmission for Renewables in 2040, TransmissionHub

9/5/2012 Stakeholders to WAPA and DOE: It ain’t broke; don’t fix it, Transmission Hub

9/4/2012 Controversial Power Line Project Moves Ahead, NJ Spotlight

8/29/2012 Montana-Alberta Transmission Line To Be In Service By Year-End, Renew Grid

8/28/2012 Transmission Proposals Aim to Break Iowa Wind Bottleneck, Midwest Energy News

8/27/2012 Study: California Could Need 38% More Generation, 31% More Transmission, Transmission Hub

8/23/2012 DOE Approves Power Line Between U.S. and Baja California, TransmissionHub

8/21/2012 Sunrise Powerlink Construction Profiled in Video

8/19/2012 Face the Facts USA Looks at What’s Behind "A Dramatic Rise in Power Failures"

Merits of a Power Line From Quebec Are Debated, The New York Times

Transmission is key to a diversified energy portfolio, Crains Cleveland Business

8/16/2012 More Action Needed by US FERC to Ensure Reliability: GAO, Platts.com (August 16, 2012) [Read the report]

8/13/2012 MISO's Compliance with Order 1000 ROFR Requirement Taking Shape, Transmission Hub

8/12/2012 Transmission is Key Link to Renewable Energy Future, Energy Biz

8/10/2012 Reduced Growth Rate in Customer Load Among Factors Behind Recommendation to Remove PATH, MAPP from PJM Plans, Transmission Hub

8/7/2012 DOE: Congestion Costs Have Declined Since '09 But Volatility Poses Uncertainty, Transmission Hub

Observations and Insights From India Regarding the Nation’s Massive Blackout

8/3/2012 $107 Billion Not Enough to Fix the Grid, Says Former FERC Chairman, SmartGridNews.com

8/2/2012 FERC Schedules Conferences on Gas-Electric Coordination [Notice], FERC

8/1/2012 Aging Power Grid on Overload as U.S. Demands More Electricity, The Washington Post

7/31/2012 Communication Key to Developing Large Transmission in West – Panelists, TransmissionHub

Federal Energy Officials Hear Local Utilities' Concerns About Proposed Electrical Grid Improvements, EnergyCentral

Experts: U.S. Risk of Demand-Linked Blackout Low, EnergyCentral

Details for FERC’s September 20, 2012 Meeting, FERC

7/30/2012 SPP Regulators Support Retaining ROFR, TransmissionHub

7/27/2012 NARUC: Common Challenges to Transmission Development Identified, TransmissionHub

7/23/2012 CERA: Lack of Transmission Will Prevent Areas of the Country From Meeting RPS Standards, TransmissionHub

Chairman Wellinghoff: FERC Decisions Underscore Importance of Order 1000's ROFR Removal, TransmissionHub

Commissioner Norris Concerned Over 'Chilling' Effect FERC Decisions May Have on ‘Innovative’ Transmission Solutions, TransmissionHub

7/22/2012 DOE Announces 2012 National Electric Transmission Congestion Study Webinars, DOE

7/19/2012 Energy Secretary’s Plans to Upgrade Transmission Come Under Fire, TransmissionHub

FERC Proposes Policy Reforms on Capacity Allocation for Merchant Transmission Projects [FERC News Release]
Related: Published in Federal Register

Summary of Actions at FERC’s July 2012 Meeting

7/17/2012 Transmission Line from Kan. to Neb. Progresses, Beatrice Daily News

7/13/2012 FERC Grants SPP Extension to Submit Order 1000 Regional Compliance Filing SPP to Make Filing Nov. 12, Transmission Hub

FERC Order 679 Responsible for $23bn of Transmission Infrastructure Investment in 2012-2016 Period, Transmission Hub

7/12/2012 California to Link Grid to Renewables, UPI.com

7/8/2012 New Transmission Lines Going Up Across Big Country, reporternews.com

7/7/2012 Gridlock: Storms, Blackouts Expose Power Problems, NPR

7/6/2012 ColumbiaGrid Proposes PEFA Revisions to Comply with FERC Order 1000, Transmission Hub

7/4/2012 Utilities' merger of benefit to ATC, EnergyCentral

7/3/2012 Energy Corridors Plan Must Be Revised by U.S. Agencies, Bloomberg News

6/30/2012 New York transmission owners respond to Energy Highway Task Force, Electric Light and Power

6/28/2012 WECC Members Progressing on FERC Order 1000 Compliance, Transmission Hub

6/22/2012 FERC issues Final Rule Involving Variable Energy Resource Integration, Transmission Hub

6/21/2012 US FERC to Hold July, August Meetings on Gas, Electric Sector Coordination, Platts
Commissioner Wellinghoff’s Statement

Actions at FERC’s June 21 Meeting:
FERC Approves Final Rule to Integrate Variable Energy Resources News Release | Chairman's Statement | Commissioners' Statements: Norris and LaFleur | Order No. 764

FERC Offers Changes for Sale of Ancillary Services, Reporting for Electric Storage Technologies News Release | Chairman's Statement | Commissioners' Statements: Norris and LaFleur | NOPR

FERC, NERC Will Clarify Definition of Bulk Electric System, TransmissionHub

6/20/2012 Pepco CEO: Public Needs to Understand Value of Electricity, TransmissionHub

Is 80 Percent Renewables by 2050 Wishful Thinking? EnergyBiz

Sunrise Powerlink Up, Ready For Clean Power, EarthTechling

6/19/2012 San Diego Gas & Electric Completes $1.9bn Power Transmission Line in California, Energy Business Review

6/1/2012 Q&A: Joe Kelliher, NextEra Energy EVP, Federal Regulatory Affairs, on Order 1000, Transmission Hub

Transmission JVs Will Help Facilitate U.S. Infrastructure Build-out – Industry Sources, Transmission Hub

Utilities Press for Power-Line Upgrades, EnergyCentral

5/31/2012 Transmission System Upgrade is Called For, Times Union

5/24/2012 Colorado Seeking Public Comment on Streamlining Transmission Siting, Transmission Hub

5/20/2012 WIRES’ Jim Hoecker on Regulating Strategic Assets – The Puzzling Case of Electric Transmission, Power Grid Magazine

5/23/2012 Story Of Wind-Related Transmission Is One That Needs To Be Told, Renew Grid

5/18/2012 PJM CEO: Generation Changes Likely to Spur ‘Badly Needed’ Transmission Upgrades, Transmission Hub

5/17/2012 PJM Board Approves $2bn in Transmission Upgrades, Power Engineering

FERC Denies Rehearing of Transmission Planning and Cost Allocation Rule

Commissioner La Fleur’s Statement
Statement by WIRES
Order 1000-A

5/16/2012 Jim Hoecker of WIRES in Politico: U.S. Must Power up Grid Overhaul

Markey Calls on FERC to Reduce Base ROE for New England’s Transmission Owners from 11.1% to 9.2%, Transmission Hub

Ameren outlines plans for 330-mile transmission line, sj-r.com

Developer Defends Quebec to New York City Line, WatertownDailyTimes.com

5/15/2012 Plans for Huge Undersea Power Line Advance, AOL Energy

Experts Optimistic About Wind Energy Lines, Amarillo Globe News

5/13/2012 Power grid needs trillions in updates to maintain reliability, utilities say, Tulsa World

Experts Optimistic About Wind Energy Lines, Amarillo Globe News

5/11/2012 Nearly $170BN of North American Transmission to Come Online by 2020, Transmission Hub

US Congressman Challenges Transmission Incentive Rate Policy, Practices, Platts

Video from Midwest ISO: A Day in the Life of the Grid, YouTube

5/2/2012 SW Blackout Blamed on Inadequate Planning, Lack of System Observability, Transmission Hub
See also: Report on Massive Southwestern Blackout Faults Human Element, FERC-NERC Staff Report on Blackout

5/1/2012 America Revealed on PBS Looks at Our "Electric Nation"

4/26/2012 NYISO to Host Public Forum on Transmission Congestion Study, empirestatenews.net

See also: WIRES Jobs Study Quoted in New York Energy Highway RFI (April 2012)

4/24/2012 Brattle Group Proposes Framework for Seams Cost Allocation to SPP, Transmission Hub

4/20/2012 News from FERC’s April 20, 2012 Meeting: Decisions, Meeting Summaries

4/18/2012 Interconnectivity and the Grid: More Power to Clean Energies, Renewable Energy World

4/5/2012 Withdrawal of Appeal Gives Full Confidence in Highway/Byway Regional Cost Allocation Process, Southwest Power Pool
[Read Motion for Voluntary Dismissal]

4/4/2012 KCP&L Parent Partnering on Transmission Line Project, Kansas City Star

3/30/2012 Texas' Isolated Electric Grid Could Add Outside Ties, The Texas Tribune

FERC Commissioner Moeller’s Statement re: Remand Order in PJM Cost Allocation Matter

3/27/2012 FERC Picks Downplay Siting Authority, Electric Co-op Today

3/26/2012 Duke, Progress Promise to Build New Power Lines, BusinessWeek

3/15/2012 Testimony of FERC Nominee Clark, Commissioner Norris at Senate Appointment Hearing, March 20, 2012

FERC’s March 15, 2012 Meeting Decisions | Meeting Sumaries | Event Details

3/14/2012 Better Forecasting Facilitates Record-Breaking Wind Integration Levels In ERCOT, RenewGrid

How to Knit Renewables into the Grid?, EnergyBiz.com

2/29/2012 Will FERC Order 1000 Affect Hydro? PennEnergy (Quotes WIRES’ Jim Hoecker)

PJM Federal Filings Seek Transmission Planning Reform, EnergyCentral

Alberta Transmission Lines Going Ahead, Journal of Commerce

2/27/2012 DOE Seeking Information on Transmission Line Permitting, energy.gov

2/23/2012 Reshaping Federal Transmission Policy, EnergyBiz

Controversial Alberta Power Lines to Proceed, CBC News

80 Percent of Michigan Residents Support Upgrading State's Power Lines To Create Jobs, Transmission and Distribution World

2/16/2012 Actions Taken at FERC Meeting, February 16, 2012, ferc.gov

FERC Decides Against Revising Policy in US Utility Mergers, BusinessWeek

2/15/2012 Clean Energy, Grid Improvements Figure Prominently In Budget, Renew Grid

Department of Energy FY 2013 Budget Request

President’s 2013 Budget; See Pg 57: “Smart, Energy-Efficient, and Reliable Electricity Delivery Infrastructure”

FERC’s FY 2013 Congressional Performance Budget Request

Revised FERC Strategic Plan for FY 2009-2014

2/14/2012 Planned Spending on High-Voltage Transmission Exceeds $170 Billion, Transmission and Distribution World

2/9/2012 American Transmission Co., Minnesota Power Enter into Partnership Agreement, EnergyCentral

2/6/2012 Public Comments on the National Electric Transmission Congestion Study 2012, energy.gov

2/5/2012 President Obama Intends to Re-nominate FERC Commissioner John Norris, White House Press Release

2/4/2012 Oklahoma in Line for About $382 Million in Transmission Projects, newsok.com

1/19/2012 FERC Meeting, January 19, 2012 (Actions Taken)

1/16/2012 Agenda for FERC Meeting

1/23/2012 N.D. Commissioner Tony Clark Reported Nominee for FERC, whitehouse.gov
[Learn More About Clark]

1/20/2012 States Look for Agreement on Electrical Transmission Siting, stateline.org (January 20, 2012)

1/17/2012 President's Jobs Council Cites Need to Speed Transmission Permitting, E&E Publishing
Read the Report

ERCOT Plans $8.7 Billion in Transmission Projects in Next Five Years, PennEnergy

1/16/2012 NY Gung Ho on Building Energy Infrastructure, EnergyBiz

California Renewable Energy Plan Now Includes Transmission, RenewGrid

1/13/2012 Boxer Calls on Southern California Edison to End Delay in Connecting Renewable Energy Projects to Electric Grid, EnergyCentral

12/5/2011 CapX2020 Transmission Line Between Monticello And St. Cloud Energized And In Service, ElectricNet

1/4/2012 PSE&G Wins Special Incentives for Transmission Upgrades, Baristanet

Feds approve transmission line for wind project in East Oregon, DJC Oregon

12/28/2011 California Endures Transmission Challenges, EnergyBiz

12/20/2011 C Three: North American Electric Transmission Investments Could Top $160 Billion Between 2012 and 2020, PR Newswire

DOI Opens Public Comment on Potential Environmental Effects of Atlantic Wind Connection

12/19/2011 Pattern's Southern Cross Transmission Project Receives Key FERC Approvals, MarketWatch

Duke Energy, American Transmission Co. Project to Deliver Wyoming Wind Power to California and Southwest, EnergyCentral

12/16/2011 DOE's Latest Proposal to Expedite Transmission

12/15/2011 Re-energize Regional Economies with New Electric Transmission Lines, Center for American Progress
Read the Report

EIPC Issues Phase I of Nationwide Grid Assessment

12/11/2011 Wind Leading to Congestion, EnergyBiz

12/09/2011 Ameren to Spend $1.3 Billion on Transmissions, St. Louis Business Journal

Pioneer Transmission Project Moves Forward, Renew Grid,

12/08/2011 Western Governors Act to Improve Transmission Permitting [news release], Western Governors' Association (December 8, 2011)

MISO Board Approves 215 New Transmission Projects [News Release]

12/05/2011 Entergy, ITC Create New Transmission Company [News Release]

Interdisciplinary MIT Study Looks at Grid’s Future, MIT Energy Initiative
Read the Report

How to Build a Better Electric Grid, GigaOm

12/02/2011 DOE Report Rejects the Notion EPA Emissions Standards Will Create Deficit in Power Supply, EnergyBoom Policy
Read the Report

12/01/2011 Colorado Task Force Says Better Collaboration Needed on Transmission – Not New Agency, Colorado Energy News

11/30/2011 Dominion Chief Urges More Time to Comply With EPA Air Rule, Bloomberg

Bingaman to Float 'Clean Energy Standard' Early Next Year, The Hill

Compliance Timing for EPA Regulations Threatens Midwest Reliability, EnergyCentral

11/29/2011 MISO Files Entergy Transmission Cost Allocation Plan With FERC, Renew Grid

11/28/2011 Public Meetings Begin Regarding Electricity Transmission Grid, Global News

BPA, California ISO Enhance Coordination With Faster Response, Electric Light & Power

11/22/2011 BPA/Cal ISO Enhance Regional Coordination on Scheduling, MarketWatch

11/21/2011 Transmission Model for Large Scale Projects, EnergyBiz

MISO Says Proposed NERC, FERC Changes to CIP Reliability Standards Could Hurt Reliability

10/18/2011 How FERC Order 1000 Could Affect Hydro, Renewable Energy World

11/16/2011 EPA Ignores Blackout Concerns, Senators Say, Intelligent Utility

11/15/2011 State Commissioners Wrestle with Transmission Planning, Energy Biz

11/08/2011 MISO Board Endorses $6.5 Billion Transmission Expansion Plan, ELP.com

11/05/2011 Controversial Transmission Line Gets the Go Ahead, Journal of Commerce

11/03/2011 Gen. Jim Jones, Former National Security Adviser, Says America Not Investing Enough in Energy Research [video], The Washington Post/WashingtonPostLive Publishing

10/30/2011 The Feds Can do Some Good in Transmission, EnergyBiz.com

10/28/2011 Oklahoma Agency Approves Transmission Project, statesman.com

10/21/2011 Lines Go Up to Ferry Wind Energy to Major Cities, New York Times

10/11/2011 On Eve of House Hearing, DOE Pulls Back On Transmission Siting, energy.gov

10/6/2011 Report: New England Power Grid Facing Challenges, Forbes.com

10/5/2011 Obama to Step Up Power Line Projects in 12 States, Associated Press

10/4/2011 The Reliability of the Electric Transmission Infrastructure in the 21st Century (IEEE-USA E-Books)

10/3/2011 Electric Reliability Caught in Endless Cycle, EnergyBiz

10/1/2011 Fed Plan to Consolidate Power Over Nation's Power Highway Has States Nervous, Fox News

9/30/2011 WIRES’ Hoecker, Other Former FERC Chairs, Assess Investment & Transmission Leadership, EnergyBiz.com

9/28/2011 MISO to Re-File Entergy Cost Allocation Proposal According to FERC Guidance, EnergyBiz.com

9/27/2011 Eastern Interconnection Completes Phase One of DOE-funded Transmission Planning, Platts.com

9/20/2011 Dominion Receives Grant To Study Offshore Wind, Transmission, Renew Grid Mag

BPA Transmission Line Will Move Wind Power To Load Centers, Renew Grid Mag

9/19/2011 Recent Blackout Highlights Nation's Aging Electricity Grid, Scientific American

9/14/2011 CA Outage Illuminates Need for More Transmission, from RealClearEnergy

9/9/2011 Utility Commissioners Blast Transmission Plan, from AOL Energy (September 9, 2011)

Two WIRES Members Join Forces

9/7/2011 Industry Hears Details of New FERC Energy Strategy, NYTimes.com

DOE Eyes Handing FERC Job of Transmission Corridor Designations, Platts Energy Weekly

8/31/2011 President Gives Cabinet 30 Days to Identify High Priority Infrastructure
See also: WIRES Release (9/2)

8/29/2011 Clear the Way for a Greener Electric Grid, Baltimore Sun

7/29/2011 Idea of the Day: FERC's New Rule Will Lead to New Transmission Lines, Center for American Progress

7/28/2011 FERC Helps Line Up Clean Energy Projects with New Rule, from Center for American Progress

7/25/2011 Another Major Step in the Restructuring of the Power Industry, Husch Blackwell

7/25/2011 New Transmission Lines: Coming to an Area Near You? Forbes

7/20/2011 Commentary: "The dirty little secret behind the ‘transmission debate'" by Bill White of National Clean Energy Transmission Initiative

7/14/2011 WIRES & Scores of Companies Support FERC's Current Authority to Resolve Transmission Cost Allocation

7/18/2011 Grid Renewal Could Boost Economy, from AOL Energy

7/14/2011 FERC to Address Transmission Planning/Cost Allocation at July 21 Meeting (Agenda Item E-6)

6/13/2011 Coverage of June 13 White House Grid Modernization Event
See also: White House Grid Modernization Event material

6/10/2011 Building A Better Electric Grid, NPR

Wisconsin Recognizes Manitoba Hydro Power As a Renewable Source, from Winnipeg Free Press

5/3/2011 Transmission Bottlenecks Bad News for Renewable Energy, William Pentland from Forbes.com

4/18/2011 FERC Staff Issues Energy Infrastructure Update for March 2011

3/15/2011 No Grid, No Gain: Untangling the Transmission Tie-up, from RenewableEnergyWorld.com

3/1/2011 WIRES Smart Grid Study Highlighted in Renew Grid Magazine

The Troubled Sunrise Powerlink, from EnergyBiz Magazine

3/27/2011 Michigan Needs Regional Electricity Grid (by Linda Blaire, Executive Vice President & Chief Business Officer, ITC Holdings Corp.), Crain's Detroit Business

3/21/2011 Googling the Transmission Quagmire, EnergyBiz.com
3/17/2011 FERC staff issues Energy Infrastructure Update for February 2011 (FERC)

3/15/2011 Webcast Replay: FERC Technical Conference on Priority Access to New Participant-Funded Transmission [Windows Media] [Flash Media]

3/11/2011 “U.S. Chamber Study Highlights Negative Impact on Jobs of 21 Transmission Projects Stalled or Cancelled Nationwide”
3/10/2011 Project No Project: A Study of the Potential Economic Impact of Permitting Challenges Facing Proposed Energy Projects, Chamber of Commerce of the United States

3/8/2011 Federal Transmission under Microscope, energybiz.com

3/1/2011 Three Steps to Grid Modernization, from intelligentutility.com

2/28/2011 NREL Integration Effort Focused on Market, from intelligentutility.com

PATH Seeks to Withdraw Applications for Electric Transmission Project
, energycentral.com
2/9/2011 Wind energy experts: regulations slow development, Bloomberg.com

2/2/2011 FortisOntario and Lake Huron Anishinabek First Nations Announce Memorandum of Understanding to Develop Transmission Projects in Ontario, MarketWire

Court Rejects U.S. Bid to Establish Corridors for New Electric Transmission Lines, Los Angeles Times
See also:
Read the Court's Decision

1/31/2011 The Transmission Imperative for Renewables, from renewableenergyworld.com

1/20/2011 FERC Study Identifies Tools to Help Ensure Grid Reliability, from FERC.gov
Related: Chairman's Statement | Report | Supporting Documents
Notice Inviting Comments on Report

1/13/2011 Energy Future Coalition’s Bill White Defends FERC’s Grid Proposal [video], from E&E TV
Related:
Transcript of Interview

Clean Line project facing a new hurdle in Arkansas, from NewsOK.com
1/10/2011 NextEra Energy’s response to Nov. 8 editorial in The Wall Street Journal, The Great Transmission Heist

Transmission Spells Opportunity, from EnergyBiz

Lack of Transmission Lines Is Restricting Wind Power, The New York Times

Chairman Wellinghoff Responds Strongly to Editorial in The Wall Street Journal Regarding FERC Action Re: Midwest Transmission Cost Allocation (January 10, 2011) Related: The Journal’s Dec. 30, 2010 Editorial

1/5/2011 For Construction Sector, a Long Road Back, from StarTribune.com
An Xcel Energy power-line project is one of the few bright spots for Minnesota's slumping construction industry.
Also: Economic Study Re: Impact of CapX2020 Projects
1/2/2011 Resolving to Modernize the Transmission Grid, EnergyBiz

WIRES News Releases

2/27/2012 WIRES Seeks Much Stronger Role for DOE in Siting Transmission on Federal Lands [Read WIRES Comments]
[Read All Comments to DOE]


2/6/2012 Sunflower Electric Power Corp. Joins WIRES

1/27/2012 American Electric Power Joins WIRES

12/20/2011 WIRES Elects New Board and Officers for 2012

11/20/2011 WIRES Counsel Jim Hoecker Urges Nebraskans to Focus on Transmission for Wind Projects

9/2/2011 WIRES Advises Executive Branch Team How to Expedite Transmission On Federal Lands
See also: White House Memorandum

8/25/2011  WIRES Joins Energy Future Coalition Filing

8/22/2011 Petition for Rehearing and Reconsideration re: FERC Order 1000

7/21/2011  WIRES Statement on FERC Order 1000

7/18/2011  Transmission 205 Event Held July 15th a Success! WIRES Shines Light on Potentially Missed Opportunities for American Workers
See WIRES University for details

6/14/2011  Regarding The High-Voltage Grid, WIRES Asks: Does the Obama Administration Get It?

5/26/2011  WIRES Letter to Secretary Chu: Don't Forget Electric Transmission Infrastructure
See also: Read the Letter, DOE's Response
5/11/2011 Strengthening the Electric Transmission Grid Would be a Boon to the Economy, WIRES Study Finds (Read the Report)
WIRES-Brattle Report Gains An Audience: Investopedia|Colorado Energy News|International Energy Credit Association|Lansing (MI) State Journal
 
2/18/2011  Proposed Senate Cost Allocation Formula Threatens Needed Transmission Investment

2/7/2011  The High-Voltage Grid is Smart and Getting Smarter, New WIRES Report Explains

1/26/2011  Obama’s SOTU: A Trifecta for Electric Transmission

12/16/2010  WIRES Applauds FERC Decision on MISO Plan as Another Key Step in Updating Cost Allocation Approach

 
10/26/2010  NextEra’s Jolly Hayden Is New WIRES President; Knakmuhs, Deaver and Warren Fill Out Leadership

9/29/2010  WIRES Comments Support FERC's Evolving Views on Regional Transmission Planning, Cost Allocation
Also: Read the WIRES Comments Filed with FERC, September 29th, 2010

 
6/17/2010  WIRES Lauds FERC’s Rulemaking on Regional Transmission Planning, Cost Allocation

Read WIRES' Petition on Cost Allocation

FERC News Release 
FERC Fact Sheet 
FERC Notice of Proposed Rulemaking

4/13/2010  On Transmission Cost Allocation, WIRES Tells Congress To Let The Regulators Regulate [Read the Letter]
 
1/20/2010  WIRES Statement Regarding Supreme Court on Siting

1/19/2010 “No Wires, No Juice”  -- WIRES President Paul McCoy on the Pickens Pullback, from renewablesbiz.com

1/14/2010 WIRES Statement About T. Boone Pickens' Withdrawal in Texas

11/12/2009  WIRES Petitions FERC, Calling for Aggressive Action On Cost Allocation Principles to Help Speed Grid Development
See also: Petition, ClimateWire Story
 
11/3/2009  WIRES Joins Other Stakeholders in Telling Senate Leaders That Cost Allocation Provision of S. 1462 is Unworkable
See also: Letter

10/27/2009  WIRES Lauds Smart Grid 'Campaign' and Funding - With a Caveat 

10/5/2009  Paul McCoy of Trans-Elect Becomes WIRES President; Group Focuses on Making the Case for Transmission
 
4/17/2009 WIRES Letter to Carol Browner Outlines Priorities and Perspectives Regarding Legislative Agenda

4/15/2009  WIRES Commentary: Enthusiasm for Electric Transmission Legislation Should Be Tempered By Pragmatism and Broad Goals

3/16/2009  WIRES Welcomes Progress In the Reid and Bingaman Transmission Bills
 
2/25/2009 WIRES Statement on Smart Grid Issues Before U.S. House of Representatives’ Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming

2/23/2009  WIRES Expresses Praise and Support for EFC and CAP Efforts on Electric Transmission Expansion

1/31/2009 Transmission Initiatives Prominent in Stimulus Package; Other Opportunities Also Loom to Press Case for Transmission

10/20/2008 

Shift to Renewable Power Generation Demands New Approaches to Transmission Challenges

10/09/2007

WIRES Applauds Transmission Corridor Designation

09/25/2007

Blue Ribbon Panel Endorses Clear Principles for Electric Transmission Cost Allocation

01/24/2007

New Trade Group to Focus on Strengthening the Electric Grid
 

Industry Developments

11/08/2011 FERC Issues Plan for “Retrospective Analysis” of Existing Rules, FERC

11/07/2011 Rep. Sensenbrenner Introduces H.R. 3280 re: Regional Transmission Planning

10/21/2011 ISO New England Releases Regional Power Grid Look-Ahead, www.iso-ne.com

10/20/2011 Item E-11: FERC reaffirms approval of Midwest ISO transmission planning process [news release]
See also: Commissioners' Statements:
Norris | LaFleur, FERC Transmission Cost Allocation

10/14/2011 FERC Order on Transmission Rate Incentives re: RITELine in Illinois/Indiana, October 14, 2011

10/13/2011 U.S. House Energy & Power Subcommittee Hearing re: Transmission

07/21/2011 FERC Issues Rule 1000
FERC News Release
Fact Sheet, Re: Order 1000

Commissioners' Statements: Chairman Wellinghoff, Commissioner Moeller, Commissioner LaFleur

FERC Chairman Wellinghoff on Bloomberg TV

05/23/2011 Wisconsin Commissioner Hired to Drive Federal Grid Policy

05/19/2011 FERC News Release: FERC Seeks Comment on Transmission Incentives Program (5/19/2011)
Commissioners' Statements: Moeller, Spitzer and Norris
Notice of Inquiry

02/18/2011 Proposed Senate Cost Allocation Formula (S400)

Senate Sponsors, FERC Chair Wellinghoff Exchange Views on the Legislation
Chairman Wellinghoff's Response

U.S. May Be Blocked From Spreading Power-Line Costs to Consumers

11/18/2010 FERC Directs NERC to Revise Definition of Bulk Electric System

FERC Clarifies ROE Policy for Electric Transmission Projects
11/16/2010 FERC Commissioner Norris: Review Power Line Incentive Rate Policy, from platts.com
10/20/2010 NERC Releases Long-Term Reliability Assessment (NERC News Release)
See also:
NERC 2010 Long-Term Reliability Assessment
9/16/2010 FERC lifts price caps for transmission customers reassigning capacity [FERC News Release]

9/10/2010 AWEA, Wind on the Wires File Comments with FERC on Midwest Transmission Cost Allocation Proposal from AWEA.org

6/17/2010 FERC News Release on Cost Allocation FERC Fact Sheet FERC Notice of Proposed Rulemaking

5/20/2010 FERC Seeks to Ensure Open Transmission Access, Gives Guidance to Western Proposal - SunZia

4/29/2010 News Release: FERC Proposes to Lift Price Caps for Transmission Customers Reassigning Capacity under RM10-22

1/21/2010 FERC Tackles ICC v. FERC Remand By Asking More Questions On Cost Allocation

12/18/2009 Secretary Chu Announces Efforts to Strengthen U.S. Electric Transmission Networks
See also: Transmission Efforts Gain Stimulus Nod, from IntelligentUtility Daily

12/1/2009 New EEI Data Show Continued Interest in Transmission Investment in 2008

11/24/2009 Wind Industry Calls for Improved Transmission Pricing and Planning Processes From FERC

11/23/2009
GridWise Alliance Praises DOE for Making Modernization Happen

11/11/2009 States Seal Pact to Lure Offshore Wind Industry to Their Shores
See also: Memorandum of Understanding

11/2009 Industry Coalition Pushes for Electrification of the Transportation Sector, Claiming "the Power Sector's Infrastructural Backbone is Already in Place."
10/28/2009 Federal Agencies Agree to Expedite Transmission Permits on Federal Lands, Federal Government News Release

10/19/2009 Reid: Improve the Transmission System, from Roll Call
10/8/2009 FERC Staff Gathers Comments on Tech Conferences Regarding Transmission Planning Under Order 890

7/19/2009 Brattle Group’s Peter Fox-Penner Calls on Nation’s Governors to Lead Regional Improvements in Transmission Planning
7/16/2009 FERC Adopts Policy for Development of Smart Grid (FERC news release)
See also: Policy Statement, comments from: Chairman Wellinghoff, Commissioners Kelly and Spitzer
6/12/2009 The House Subcommittee on Energy and Environment held a hearing titled, "The Future of the Grid: Proposals for Reforming National Transmission Policy" on June 12, 2009. It addressed proposals for new legislation on transmission planning, cost allocation, and siting authority.
Rep. Jay Inslee (D-WA) Introduces Legislation Giving FERC Authority
to Site Interstate Electric Power Lines

3/12/2009 Large Public Power Council: Congress Should Clear Obstacles to Transmission Development
See also: LPPC Transmission Investment Principles

2/24/2009 American Public Power Association Urges Congress, FERC, to Improve Bulk Electric System; Supports Workable Federal Renewable Electricity Standard, from American Public Power Assn. news release

2/17/2009 American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) and Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) white paper: Green Power Superhighways: Building a Path to America’s Clean Energy Future
See also: news release (2/18/09)

1/27/2009 Western Governors’ Association Proposals to Congress on Transmission Issues