Puget Sound Energy became the latest utility to stake a claim in the North Plains Connector, a 420-mile transmission line from central North Dakota to southeast Montana.

The Pathways Step 2 proposal offers a blueprint for divvying up functions between CAISO and the RO that backers envision will provide an independent framework for governing the ISO’s Western markets.

BPA would earn $65 million in annual benefits from joining CAISO’s EDAM but face $83 million in increased yearly costs from participating in SPP’s Markets+, according to a new Brattle study.

FERC largely approved Order 2023 compliance filings for four utilities in the West and Texas, directing them to submit further compliance filings within 60 days.

The Bonneville Power Administration plans to contribute its full share of funding for Phase 2 of SPP’s Markets+, an executive with the federal power agency has said.

CAISO will recommend its board approve a proposal to eventually give the WEM Governing Body increased authority over both the Western EIM and EDAM.

Backers of an effort to create the framework for an independent Western RTO know how much money they’ll need to get things off the ground, and they’re seeking funders.