The Western Power Pool’s Board of Directors has denied PacifiCorp’s request to postpone the deadline by which Western Resource Adequacy Program (WRAP) participants must commit to the first “binding” phase of the program, scheduled for winter 2027/28. 

The board’s rejection comes just three weeks before the Oct. 31 commitment deadline and likely adds to the uncertainty building around how many participants could abandon the WRAP before it enters its penalty phase. NV Energy has already notified the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada of its intent to withdraw from the program. (See NV Energy to Withdraw from WRAP.) 

PacifiCorp CEO Cindy Crane requested a one-year postponement of the deadline in a letter to the board Sept. 30. She contended that the WRAP’s Day-Ahead Markets and Planning Reserve Margin task forces have identified critical issues that have emerged since the program was launched in 2020 — including challenges stemming from the split between participants choosing to join either CAISO’s Extended Day-Ahead Market or SPP’s Markets+. (See PacifiCorp Asks WPP to Delay WRAP ‘Binding’ Phase Commitment Date.) 

In rejecting PacifiCorp’s request, WPP board Chair Bill Drummond said the board determined a delay would have a “detrimental effect” on the WRAP and its participants. 

“Delaying the participant decision deadline or the start of binding operations adds uncertainty, undermines confidence in our data and modeling, limits program compliance and stifles unlocking the full benefits of the program, which can only come with the certainty of binding operations,” Drummond said Oct. 8 in a letter addressed to Crane. 

Drummond added that the board “does not believe that the unilateral board action requested by PacifiCorp aligns with the tenets or the spirit of the established governance process, and driving such a request through the process contemplated by the [WRAP] tariff is not feasible with so little time before the decision deadline.” 

He said the voluntary nature of the WRAP “necessitates a bottom-up, member-driven process to make changes that will affect all participants in the program.” 

Drummond also noted that in September, 11 WRAP members “with substantial load, resources and geographic diversity” affirmed their commitment to the winter 2027/28 binding phase, a development that created “critical mass to move forward with confidence.” (See WRAP ‘Binding’ Phase Set for Winter 2027/28 After Utilities Affirm Commitment.) 

“Any further delay would jeopardize this critical progress,” Drummond wrote. 

Ten of those 11 members have already committed to joining Markets+, which requires its participants to join the WRAP. Starting in 2026, PacifiCorp will be the first participant in the EDAM, which has no RA program requirement. 

Addressing a second request by Crane, Drummond said WPP will continue to work with stakeholders to refine the design of the WRAP, pointing to “work underway to optimize the program in response to suggestions from participants, including task forces addressing some of the challenges you raised in your letter. These efforts are following the same governance process I referenced earlier.” 

Drummond acknowledged that his response might not satisfy PacifiCorp’s concerns about the WRAP and that the utility “may need to provide notice this month of intent to exit the program” before the first binding season. He said the program’s two-year exit notice means exiting participants continue to comply with the WRAP and remain able to engage in the stakeholder process. 

Asked to comment on Drummond’s letter and on whether the board’s response would mean PacifiCorp will not commit to the WRAP binding phase by the end of October, company spokesperson Omar Granados told RTO Insider: “PacifiCorp appreciates the Western Power Pool and its leadership in addressing resource adequacy in the West. We understand the constraints under which WPP is operating. 

“PacifiCorp remains committed to resolving resource adequacy challenges and engaging with regional partners to identify the best long-term solutions for our customers. With this in mind, we will use the time between now and the deadline to determine the best course of action.”