Electric Reliability Council of Texas intertie situation. A study prepared by the Congressional Research Service at the request of Lee Metcalf, Chairman, Subcommittee on Minerals, Materials and Fuels of the Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs, United States Senate
Congressional interest in the concept of a national power grid system prompted this study of the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) and its possible intertie with the Southwest Power Pool (SPP). Internal disputes at ERCOT revolve around both the desirability and feasibility of such a pool. Areas of disagreement are (1) the fear of an unusable nuclear facility, (2) antitrust lawsuits, (3) potential economies, and (4) regulation by the Federal Power Commission (FPC). The Congressional Research Service findings indicate the venture will provide economies for both ERCOT and SPP. The study does not support the position of intertie opponents who feel avoidance of FPC interference and the need to serve Texas customers first outweigh potential economic benefits. A decision in the antitrust lawsuit against Texas Electric Service Company (TESCO) will help to resolve this question and will affect the future position of ERCOT. The study reviews development of intrastate power pools in Texas, provides economic and production data, and outlines the legal aspects of regulation and current lawsuits. It is noted that the shortage of natural gas may preclude further argument over the need to build large nuclear or coal-fired plants. (DCK)
- OSTI ID:
- 7325162
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION
29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
296000* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Electric Power
ECONOMICS
ELECTRIC POWER
ENERGY SOURCES
FLUIDS
FOSSIL FUELS
FOSSIL-FUEL POWER PLANTS
FUEL GAS
FUELS
GAS FUELS
GASES
GOVERNMENT POLICIES
LEGAL ASPECTS
LEGISLATION
MANAGEMENT
NATURAL GAS
NORTH AMERICA
NUCLEAR FACILITIES
NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS
POWER
POWER DISTRIBUTION
POWER PLANTS
POWER SYSTEMS
PRODUCTION
REGULATIONS
SOUTHWEST REGION
TEXAS
THERMAL POWER PLANTS
USA