The Southwest Regional Transmission Association (SWRTA) has filed amended bylaws with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), incorporating two FERC conditions: 1) comparable transmission service, and 2) a single regional transmission plan. To achieve comparability, each transmitting member subject to FERC jurisdiction under sections 205 and 206 of the Federal Power Act will file comparable transmission service tariffs with the FERC. Those not subject to FERC jurisdiction will file their tariffs with the president of SWRTA's board of directors.
The regional transmission planning process will be open to other interested parties, and a single plan will be prepared every two years. Members' transmission plans will be available to the entire western United States. According to SWRTA, the openness of the process and the availability of information will promote the selection and construction of economically efficient projects.