January 15, 2003—The Public Utility Commission (PUC) has filed comments before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) calling the Standard Market Design proposal essential to the future of electric competition in Pennsylvania and nationwide.
“Standard Market Design for the nation’s electricity transmission system is critical to enhancing reliability and ensuring reasonable electricity prices,” said PUC Chairman Glen R. Thomas. “It’s time to move forward with SMD so consumers can benefit from an open marketplace for electricity.”
In the proposal, FERC seeks to standardize the pricing of and practices associated with wholesale, interstate electric transmission service. According to Chairman Thomas, the PUC recognizes that wholesale energy markets are regional and interconnected. The PUC recommended FERC to:
- Support rules that improve state involvement in the transmission planning and expansion process;
- Strengthen state participation in the regional planning process by clearly defining jurisdictional responsibilities and giving states complete and timely access to market information;
- Establish general principles to ensure short-term and long-term reliability; and
- Provide wholesale customers the financial means to protect against congestion costs for transmission service.
For more information, contact the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission.
