Resources

On Demand Media

Demand Viewing

Transmission & Distribution World On Demand events allow you to access archived webinars when it is convenient for your schedule. These free events are available for viewing 24/7.

White Papers

How NERC CIP and Security Issues Impact Substation Design and Deployment

Read this whitepaper to learn about a variety of security strategies that can be implemented today and how they will enable you to respond to evolving security requirements

Utility Network Design and Data Management:

Autodesk Utility Design and Autodesk Topobase - Combining Autodesk® Utility Design and Autodesk® Topobase(tm) software applications enables utility organizations to harness best-in-class platforms for utility network design and data management.

AutoCAD Map 3D and Autodesk MapGuide Enterprise:

Powerful, Affordable, Open GIS - With open data standards, CAD integration, and a shared API, AutoCAD® Map 3D and Autodesk MapGuide® Enterprise software products streamline workflows and maximize the value of geospatial data seamlessly-from the desktop to the Web.

More White Papers


         Subscribe in NewsGator Online   Subscribe in Bloglines

APPA Calls for Electricity Market Reforms to Address Growing Crisis

Restructured wholesale electricity markets in some of the most populous states are driving up energy bills and have failed to provide promised benefits to consumers, the American Public Power Association (APPA) said.

In a white paper released yesterday, APPA proposes modifying the markets in a way that truly benefits consumers, rather than allowing them to continue to be harmed by markets that merely pretend to be competitive.

"The wholesale electric markets operated by Regional Transmission Organizations (RTOs) under federal supervision have driven up electricity bills twice as fast as in regions without such markets," said Mark Crisson, president and CEO of APPA. "This is a growing problem for businesses and consumers in these regions, threatening jobs and families in a tough economy. A few companies are reaping huge profits at their expense. It's time for Congress and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to act."

Over the last 15 years, as states and the federal government began deregulating electricity markets, the promise of competition and reliable power service has been replaced in wholesale markets by dysfunctional centralized markets operated by faceless, multi-billion-dollar bureaucracies known as RTOs. These markets have not produced needed investments in additional power generation capacity and their high costs to consumers leave little room to pay for the costs of new generation and needed environmental mitigation measures.

APPA suggests reforming the system to maintain those functions that RTOs are performing well, but to eliminate or substantially scale back the highly problematic centralized markets. These positive RTO functions include: ensuring that all buyers and sellers have open access to the transmission system, simplifying regional transmission rate structures, and supervising regional transmission system operations.

Until such fundamental market reforms are implemented, APPA is calling for a number of immediate steps to be taken that can provide consumers with some relief, including requiring demonstrations that new markets or programs provide net benefits to consumers, improving governance of the RTOs to make them more responsive to consumer concerns, and providing for truly independent market monitoring.

Want to use this article? Click here for options!
© 2008 Penton Media Inc.

Most Read

Community

Blog

Gene Wolf

IEEE Blog

IEEE PES
Gene Wolf

Thousands of attendees and exhibitors are poised to take part in the biggest event of the electric utility industry, the 2008 IEEE PES Transmission and Distribution Conference and Exposition hosted by ComEd in Chicago. The IEEE Blog is a unique tour of the 2008 PES Expo, updated regularly by Gene Wolf, chairman of the IEEE PES T&D Committee.

Read More

Webcasts

Supercondutor Cable Systems

Sponsored by American Superconductor

Transmission & Distribution World presents Superconductor Cable Systems, A Part of the Increasing Bulk Power Transfer Series.

Register Now!


Evolution of Next Generation Wireless Communications in Power Delivery

Sponsored by Alcatel-Lucent

Evolution of Next Generation Wireless Communications in Power Delivery - seeing wireless communications solutions emerge to enable more efficient operations.

Register Now!


Gain insight into Oracle's entry into the Utility Applications market place

Sponsored by Oracle

This session is a peak into how Oracle is executing the strategy one year later. A key aspect of this transition is how a customer project, like Hawaiian Electric made it through the transition.

Register Now!

More Webcasts

Featured Activity

SEE Annual Conference & Trade Show

The Southeastern Electric Exchange celebrates its 75th Anniversary at the PROUD PAST, BRIGHT FUTURE 2008 Conference in New Orleans, June 25-27. The theme uniquely reflects SEE’s history: helping utility members come together to create a culture of professional development, growth, learning, and commitment to quality.

Jobzone
  • June Issue
  • May Issue
  • April Issue
  • March Issue
  • February Issue
  • January Issue
  • December Issue

Browse Back Issues