A group of Western utilities plans to help SPP develop its Markets+ program in the West and to examine the benefits of joining it or CAISO's day-ahead market.

SPP says its Markets+ day-ahead offering in the Western Interconnection is on track to be completed by the end of the year.

SPP said it plans to close its Western Energy Imbalance Service, with members joining either its proposed Markets+ program or its Western RTO.

CAISO, SPP and the Western Power Pool are all maneuvering to organize the Western electricity sector, and conditions finally seem ripe for change.

SPP has laid out its clearest explanation yet of its five-year plan to expand its presence and establish an RTO in the Western Interconnection.

SPP's new five-year strategic plan includes increasing its footprint in the Western Interconnection.