PacifiCorp joins other utilities leaving the Western Power Pool’s Western Resource Adequacy Program just before the deadline to commit to the program’s first binding phase.
PacifiCorp submitted its withdrawal notice on Oct. 30. Michael Wilding, the utility’s vice president of energy supply management, signed the letter and addressed it to WPP Chief Strategy Officer Rebecca Sexton.
WRAP participants have until Oct. 31 to commit to WRAP’s first financially binding phase in winter 2027/28.
PacifiCorp’s withdrawal goes into effect before Nov. 1, 2027, and the utility will be subject to the requirements of WRAP’s tariff during the two-year withdrawal period, according to the letter.
Wilding did not shut the door entirely on rejoining the program, saying PacifiCorp “will continue to engage with the program for the duration of the withdrawal period.”
“Should circumstances change, the company can reenter the program by September 2026 to join other participants in the first financially binding program season in November 2027,” he added.
In an email to RTO Insider, PacifiCorp spokesperson Omar Granados said, “We appreciate the Western Power Pool and its leadership in addressing resource adequacy across the region. PacifiCorp remains committed to providing safe, reliable power, and we believe collaborating with our regional partners is the best way to develop long-term solutions for our customers.”
WRAP has stated it secured enough participants for the program to enter the first binding phase after 11 utilities reaffirmed their commitment in late September. (See WRAP ‘Binding’ Phase Set for Winter 2027/28 After Utilities Affirm Commitment.)
“The vast majority of our participants are remaining in the program,” Dave Zvareck, WRAP director, told RTO Insider. “We have received some exit notices this week, which was expected, as well as renewed commitment to the program, and we will move forward with binding operations in winter 2027/2028.”
PacifiCorp’s withdrawal comes after it asked WPP’s Board of Directors to allow WRAP participants to defer their decisions to commit to the program’s binding phase by at least one year after raising concerns about WRAP’s design, planning reserve margins, charges and its ability to adapt to the emergence of day-ahead markets in the West. (See PacifiCorp Asks WPP to Delay WRAP ‘Binding’ Phase Commitment Date.)
Other entities exiting the program have highlighted the challenges of navigating WRAP’s requirements when most of the West will be split into two day-ahead markets: SPP’s Markets+ and CAISO’s Extended Day-Ahead Market (EDAM).
All load-serving entities in Markets+ must participate in WRAP, which is being operated by SPP on behalf of WPP. By contrast, EDAM doesn’t require participation in an organized resource adequacy program, instead leaving members the option of choosing their own RA programs. But EDAM will use a resource sufficiency evaluation to ensure participants’ RA going into the day-ahead and real-time time frames.
PacifiCorp now joins Calpine, Eugene Water & Electric Board, Portland General Electric, Public Service Company of New Mexico and NV Energy in exiting WRAP. Out of those six entities, only EWEB will participate in Markets+ because it sits within the Bonneville Power Administration’s balancing authority area. (See 4 Entities Join NV Energy in Exiting WRAP, While Idaho Power Commits.)
Under WRAP’s forward-showing requirement, participants must demonstrate they have secured their share of regional capacity needed for the upcoming season. Once WRAP enters its binding phase, participants with surplus capacity must help those with a deficit in the hours of highest need.
The binding phase also includes penalties for participants that enter a binding season with capacity deficiencies compared with their forward showing of resources promised for that season.
