What are regional transmission organizations, and does Western belong to any?
RTOs are a regulatory initiative of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to encourage independent regional management of transmission. Transmission-owning utilities regulated by FERC have been encouraged to turn over operational control of their facilities to independent third-party transmission operators. Western does not currently belong to any RTOs but participates in RTO formation discussions in our service territory, including the Midwest Independent System Operator and West Connect RTO. Western would join an RTO only if consistent with our statutory obligations, if the benefits outweigh costs and after conducting an environmental review and public process.
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