FERC must adopt an efficient transmission pricing system - now

Journal Article · Wed Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1997 · Electricity Journal

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/S1040-6190(97)80195-9· OSTI ID:569355

Pierce, Jr, R J

In spite of assumptions to the contrary, this nation will not enjoy competitive power markets until the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) uses its bully pulpit to require establishment of--and prescribe minimum authorities for--properly sized ISOs that administer efficient transmission pricing. In 1989, the FERC recognized that getting transmission pricing right is the crucial first step in the process of creating a competitive electricity market. A lot has happened in the ensuing eight years. There is now a competitive wholesale market, and retail competition is beginning in many states. Yet, FERC has not made any progress in taking that crucial first step. Unless FERC abandons the present archaic system of transmission pricing promptly, competition will produce a long list of unintended adverse effects. The short-term effects will include markets too small to support effective competition and misleading price signals that induce buyers and sellers to make decisions that waste resources. The long-term effects will include large investments in capital assets at the wrong locations, and ill-informed antitrust and regulatory decisions. These effects will also create scores of entities with a powerful vested interest in retaining the status quo forever. As the British have discovered, once that happens, it is almost impossible to abandon an inefficient pricing system.

• OSTI ID: 569355
• Journal Information: Electricity Journal, Journal Name: Electricity Journal Journal Issue: 8 Vol. 10; ISSN ELEJE4; ISSN 1040-6190
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
DEREGULATION
ELECTRIC POWER INDUSTRY
POWER TRANSMISSION
PRICING REGULATIONS
US FERC