ISO New England Inc. has begun operating as a regional transmission organization (RTO), assuming broader authority over the daily operation of the region's transmission system and possessing a greater level of independence to effectively manage the region's bulk electric power system and competitive wholesale electricity markets.

“Our mission has always been clear — to ensure that New England has a reliable bulk power system and efficient wholesale electricity markets,” said Gordon van Welie, president and CEO of ISO New England Inc. “As an RTO, we will be better able to address the needs of today's power system and plan for the future, with strengthened independence and certainty in our role in the region's electricity industry.”

“We expect the transition will be seamless to those who participate in the markets,” van Welie said, adding that the organization will continue to operate under the name “ISO New England” and its headquarters will remain in Holyoke, Massachusetts.

As the RTO, ISO New England will continue to perform all of its current responsibilities and will exercise day-to-day control of the transmission system under agreements with existing transmission companies. ISO New England will be the single point-of-control to effectively maintain reliability and preserve the integrity of the bulk power system.

Under the RTO structure, ISO New England will have the authority to file proposed market rule changes with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), but will continue to work closely with stakeholders, including participants in the marketplace and regulators, to develop enhancements and changes to the region's wholesale markets.

ISO New England will enhance the regional system planning process that identifies New England's electricity needs and promotes infrastructure improvements where they are most needed. ISO New England also will phase-in a collaborative regional planning process that will expand to 14 Northeastern states and the District of Columbia, in an effort to coordinate resources and determine needs.

The transition to an RTO is the culmination of a four-year effort that included a lengthy stakeholder process. FERC conditionally approved an RTO for New England in March 2004 and approved a settlement agreement reached among the stakeholders in November.