Committee Workshop on Planning for California's Future Transmission Grid

BEFORE THE
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
ENERGY RESOURCES CONSERVATION
AND DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION

In the Matter of:	)	Docket 03-IEP-01
	)
Informational Proceeding and	)	NOTICE OF
Preparation of the 2004 Integrated	)	COMMITTEE WORKSHOP
Energy Policy Report (IEPR) Update	)
_______________________________________________	)

The California Energy Commission will conduct a one-day workshop to discuss the results of a study prepared for the Energy Commission on Planning for California's Future Transmission Grid. Senate Bill 1389 (SB 1389, Bowen and Sher, Chapter 568, Statutes of 2002) requires the Energy Commission to adopt an Integrated Energy Policy Report (IEPR) every two years and update every other year. In preparation for the 2004 IEPR Update, the Committee will conduct a workshop on:

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2003
Starting at 9:30 a.m.
CALIFORNIA ENERGY COMMISSION
1516 Ninth Street
Hearing Room A
Sacramento, California
(Wheelchair Accessible)

Note: Audio from this hearing will be broadcast over the Internet.
For details on listening in, please go to:

www.energy.ca.gov/realaudio/

The bulk transmission grid plays an essential role in ensuring reliable and reasonably priced electricity for California. California's past investments in its transmission grid and interconnections to neighboring states have produced substantial reliability, economic, environmental, and fuel diversity benefits. However, in recent years, California utilities have not been successful in obtaining the necessary construction approvals to improve the bulk transmission system. Unless the state immediately begins repairing its fragmented and ineffective electricity transmission planning and permitting processes, California will not reap the benefits of the policies proposed in the 2003 Integrated Energy Policy Report.

Modernizing and upgrading the bulk transmission grid should be the centerpiece of California's electricity planning process. However, at present, the planning process ignores long-term transmission project benefits, plans for average conditions, and fails to recognize the cost of low-probability but high-impact events, such as droughts, regional supply disruptions, and temperature extremes. The state needs to develop more insightful analytical methods for evaluating the costs and benefits of transmission projects.

At the request of the Energy Commission, the Electric Power Group of the Consortium of Electric Reliability Technology Solutions (CERTS) prepared a report titled Planning for California's Future Transmission Grid, Review of Transmission System, Strategic Benefits, Planning Issues, and Policy Recommendations, to help the Energy Commission begin addressing these issues immediately in the 2004 IEPR Update.

The purpose of this workshop is to begin addressing transmission planning issues immediately in the 2004 IEPR Update by publishing and discussing the initial results of the CERTS report related to the need to improve California's transmission planning process as part of the Energy Commission's collaborative planning process. This workshop represents the first event of the 2004 IEPR Update related to the Energy Commission's collaborative process to determine the statewide need for specific bulk transmission projects. The report can be downloaded below.

The Committee encourages interested parties to present their views either orally at the workshop or submit written comments. Parties wishing to comment on the report are requested to contact Kristy Chew at (916) 654-3929 or by e-mail at: [kchew@energy.state.ca.us].

Written comments will be accepted until November 17, 2003. Those submitting written comments must provide an original plus 11 paper copies to the Energy Commission's Dockets Unit; however, those who file by electronic mail (Microsoft Word format or Portable Document Format (PDF)) (e-mail address: [docket@energy.state.ca.us]) need only submit one paper copy. Please include docket number 03-IEP-01 with your filing. Please send or deliver materials to the following address:

California Energy Commission
Dockets Office
Attn: Dockets 03-IEP-01
1516 9th Street, MS-4
Sacramento, CA 95814-5512

Alternatively, participants may provide 12 copies at the beginning of the workshop. All written materials relating to this workshop will be filed with the Dockets Unit and will become part of the public record in this proceeding.

For further information on how to participate in this workshop, contact the Energy Commission's Public Adviser, Margret J. Kim at 916-654-4489, toll-free in California at 800-822-6228, or e-mail at [pao@energy.state.ca.us]. If you require special accommodations, please contact Lou Quiroz at 916-654-5146 at least five days before the workshop. Technical questions should be directed to Don Kondoleon of the Engineering Office, at 916-654-3918 or by email at [dkondole@energy.state.ca.us]. News media inquiries should be directed to Claudia Chandler, Assistant Director, at 916-654-4989.

JOHN L. GEESMAN
Commissioner and Presiding Member
2004-2005 Integrated Energy Policy Report Committee

JAMES D. BOYD
Commissioner and Associate Member
2004-2005 Integrated Energy Policy Report Committee