Environmental group Western Resource Advocates was an early proponent of CAISO’s Energy Imbalance Market and is actively supporting the ISO’s effort to transform itself into an RTO serving the broader West.

CAISO last week released the third draft of a proposal outlining the principles intended to underpin the governing framework for a Western RTO.

Western energy execs discussed the growth of the EIM, a Western RTO, “Caliphopia” and how the Western Interconnection is likely to change.

Western utility leaders at the CAISO annual stakeholder event said they welcome the operational benefits and increased regional cooperation of the EIM but remain wary of organizing the wider West under a CAISO-run RTO.

Gov. Jerry Brown reaffirmed his commitment to an expanded CAISO, a month after calling for a delay in efforts to complete enabling legislation.

CAISO launched an initiative to develop a greenhouse gas accounting system suitable for an expanded ISO.

CAISO is refining a proposal for cost allocation of new transmission facilities in an expanded balancing authority that would include areas of the West outside California.

CAISO's effort to expand into a Western RTO will be postponed this year after California Gov. Jerry Brown postponed a formal proposal.

Utah lawmakers plan to draft a bill requiring PacifiCorp to gain legislative approval before joining an RTO based on an expanded CAISO.

A study suggests CAISO’s expansion into a multistate RTO could save Western ratepayers billions while helping meet emission-reduction goals.