The Energy Industry Standards Board doesn't exist yet, but it's got regulators talking.
More than two years ago, I suggested in this column that regional independent system operators would likely supplant the regional reliability councils as the caretakers of electric system reliability. And that's still possible—if the ISOs move quickly to RTO status, and if the RTOs get cracking right away on adopting uniform business rules. But the FERC may get tired waiting for that to happen.
There's no getting around it—price caps aren't for everyone.
Frontlines
Off Peak
June 1, 2001
Dear ISO: Why Me?
The city utility in Vernon, California thought it had bought plenty of power, but then got blacked out anyway.
March 19, 2001
Dear Mr. Winter:
News Analysis
Electric Executives' Forum
Summer 2001: Are You Ready?
Demand-side programs are all the rage as utilities scramble to find power to serve peak loads.
Be prepared. Power interruptions are not necessarily expected -nevertheless, be prepared-but by God, line up all the weapons you can to prevent blackouts in the first place.
News Analysis
And in Texas, all customer information flows through ERCOT.
Texas thinks it has the right formula for retail choice.
When queried on the wisdom of its restructuring plan relative to California's restructuring woes, Texas likes to point to the new generation capacity coming online, and a supply-demand balance much more favorable than California's.
News Digest
