SSG-WI

Scope of Work for SSG-WI Planning WG

The following Scope of Work was developed by the SSG-WI as guidance for the SSG-WI Planning Work Group (PWG) in establishing a west wide transmission expansion planning function for the West.

Goal :To further the development of a robust, West-wide interstate transmission system that is capable of supporting a competitive and seamless West-wide wholesale energy market.

In furtherance of that goal, the PWG should, in its efforts, distinguish between transmission projects that are needed primarily to achieve certain economic benefits (economically-driven expansion projects) and those that are necessary to satisfy established reliability criteria (reliability-driven expansion projects). The efforts of the PWG will primarily focus on the evaluation and, if appropriate, support of economically-driven expansion projects that support creation of a seamless West-wide market.

The SSG-WI Planning Work Group is tasked to implement a west wide expansion planning effort for the Western Interconnection. The planning effort should be proactive and fulfill the following functions:

· identify transmission congestion that is an impediment to the efficient operation of the western market

· develop specific alternative plans for eliminating congestion

· review and evaluate sponsor proposed economic projects having interconnection wide commercial impacts

· perform planning studies as necessary at a high level, including cost and benefit assessment

· encourage development of economic projects developed through this planning effort or by sponsors, by working jointly and closely with the states and potential project sponsors

· develop criteria for and analyze performance of viable non-transmission alternatives for removing congestion, for which a sponsor has indicated interest

· provide technical support to appropriate regulatory agencies by identifying congested paths and the costs and benefits of eliminating the congestion

· assist the appropriate regulatory agencies by providing technical transmission planning support to such agencies in their development of western energy policy.

A new staffed planning organization will not be created; rather the function will be supported by individuals dedicated to this work from existing Transmission Owner organizations in the pre-RTO time frame and from the RTO organizations after the RTOs are formed.

The effort will not have project approval authority. The effort will not address planning issues whose impact is limited to within an RTO boundary.

The west wide expansion planning function should be consistent with the proposed planning functions and responsibilities of the individual RTOs.

The effort should be initiated as soon as practical and prior to RTO formation

Membership should be open.

This SSG-WI expansion planning effort and the WECC reliability effort should be complementary and closely coordinated to avoid duplication.

Recommendations from the planning group will be brought to the SSG-WI.

In addition to developing the above expansion planning function, the PWG should identify and recommend solutions to planning seams issues associated with RTO formation.