Sacramento, California - The California Energy Commission will host public workshops in Sacramento and Denver this month to consider a proposed governance structure for a western regional grid operator. Leaders from government, industry, and other stakeholders in the Western U.S. are exploring the possibility of PacifiCorp merging with the CAISO and becoming a regional grid operator.

CAISO manages the flow of electricity across the high-voltage, long-distance power lines that make up 80 percent of California’s and a small part of Nevada’s power grid. PacifiCorp serves electricity customers in Oregon, Washington, California, Utah, Wyoming and Idaho.The workshops will present proposals for governance of the proposed regional grid operator and will seek stakeholder feedback and public comment.

Who: The California Energy Commission and representatives from government, industry, and other stakeholders in the Western states.

What: Two public workshops to discuss the possibility of expanding the California Independent System Operator to establish a Western regional grid operator.