Despite harsh weather and unprecedented load growth expected throughout the Western Interconnection, Arizona utilities said they are well prepared to meet demand reliably in summer 2026.

The Western Transmission Expansion Coalition’s 10-year outlook has spurred talks about increased coordination between jurisdictions to upgrade or build 12,600 miles of transmission in the West and fueled calls for states to create a task force to streamline permitting and other issues.

FERC has rescinded the West-wide wholesale electricity price cap mechanism it implemented in response to widespread price manipulation during the Western energy crisis of 2000/01, saying development of new markets and expanded authority has led to improved monitoring capabilities.

The West must build or upgrade 12,600 miles of transmission at a cost of about $60 billion to meet the region’s forecast 30% increase in peak demand and other needs by 2035, according to the Western Transmission Expansion Coalition's 10-year outlook.

SPP has hired former Idaho commissioner Kristine Raper as its senior director of state regulatory policy for the West.

CAISO and SPP have made “significant progress” on adapting existing tools to tackle seams between the two entities’ respective day-ahead markets, according to a CAISO representative.

Rising electricity demand is adding to seasonal reliability risks this winter as supply has not kept pace with consumption in many regions, NERC reported in its Winter Reliability Assessment.

WECC expects two regions to be under elevated risk as the West heads into the winter, with staff saying a prolonged weather event could impact operating reserves.

FERC approved a $350,000 penalty against the electric utility of Los Angeles for allegedly submitting misleading information to WECC.