​FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Dec. 3, 2019

CONTACT: Lisa Meiman, mediarelations@wapa.gov​, 720-962-7411

LAKEWOOD, Colo. – Western Area Power Administration has successfully completed its transition to new reliability coordinators for its balancing authorities and transmission operators in the Western Interconnection.

Southwest Power Pool began providing RC services to WAPA’s Western Area Upper Great Plains – West, Western Area Colorado Missouri and Western Area Lower Colorado BAs and the associated transmission operators Dec. 3.

The Sierra Nevada region, a transmission operator within the Balancing Authority of Northern California, began receiving RC services from the California Independent System Operator in July.

WAPA began exploring options for new RC providers in 2018 when the existing provider, Peak Reliability, announced it would be ceasing operations by late 2019. Once WAPA selected new RC providers in September 2018, it took nearly a year to complete the transition.

“WAPA is committed to working with entities across the Western Interconnection to maintain the reliable operation of the grid,” said Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Kevin Howard. “We greatly appreciate the work of Peak, CAISO and SPP to make the transition as smooth and seamless as possible.”

Balancing authorities and transmission operators are required by the North American Electric Reliability Corporation to have an RC. The RC oversees transmission operations and potential areas of congestion or instability across multiple BAs or transmission operators within a geographic region. 

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About WAPA: Western Area Power Administration annually markets and transmits more than 25,000 gigawatt-hours of clean, renewable power from 57​ federal hydroelectric powerplants owned and operated by the Bureau of Reclamation, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and International Boundary and Water Commission in 15 western and central states. It is part of the Department of Energy. Follow us on Twitter @WesternAreaPowr or visit the website at www.wapa.gov​.  

Last modified on September 12th, 2023