FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Sept. 4, 2018

CONTACT: Teresa Waugh, mediarelations@wapa.gov, 720-962-7411

LAKEWOOD, Colo. – Today, Western Area Power Administration announced the selection of new reliability coordinators for its balancing authorities and transmission operators once Peak RC ceases operations. 

Beginning in late 2019, Southwest Power Pool will begin 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. 

The Sierra Nevada region, a transmission operator within the Balancing Authority of Northern California, will accept RC services from the California Independent System Operator following BANC’s schedule, which is also expected to be in late 2019.

The transition to the new RCs is contingent on SPP and CAISO becoming certified as RC providers in the Western Interconnection.

“WAPA, in collaboration with other utilities across the Western Interconnection, is committed to maintaining reliable, safe, secure and compliant operation of the grid,” said Chief Operating Officer Kevin Howard. “We will work with neighboring utilities to ensure an orderly transition to the SPP and CAISO RCs as Peak winds down its operations in 2019.” 

WAPA began exploring new providers in early 2018 when it submitted notices of withdrawal to Peak RC. 

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. 

A decision memorandum discussing WAPA’s selections of RC providers is available.​

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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.

Last modified on September 12th, 2023