http://www.slideshare.net/raponline/webinar-rtos-and-implications-for-clean-power-plan-compliance

Although individual utility companies own the power plants and lines that generate and carry electricity to consumers, many have joined regional transmission operators (RTOs), which coordinate resources over a broader geographic area to secure greater system reliability and reduce costs.

RTOs (also called independent system operators or ISOs) typically span many states, and manage generating resources by “dispatching” power plants to start running as electricity demand increases and to stop as demand decreases. Power plants are dispatched based on cost (lowest cost first), regardless of where in the multi-state region they may be located.

In this webinar, veteran air and utility regulators, along with RTO representatives, discuss how state Clean Power Plan decisions could affect power plant dispatch and emissions beyond state borders and across the RTO.

RAP principal Ken Colburn moderates the session, and presenters include:

• David Littell, RAP principal, former commissioner at the Maine Public Utilities Commission, and former commissioner of the Maine Department of Environmental Protection; and
• Doug Scott, vice president of strategic initiatives with the Great Plains Institute, former chair of the Illinois Commerce Commission, and former director of the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.

Also available on the webinar for questions and comments:

• Paul Sotkiewicz, chief economist, market services at PJM, the RTO serving areas of Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, and Washington D.C.; and
• Kari Evans Bennett, senior director of program strategy at MISO, the RTO serving areas of Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Manitoba, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Texas, and Wisconsin.

This free webinar was open to all state air regulatory agency, environmental agency, and public service commission staff.