California ISO aims for 33 percent of green power by 2020

Folsom, CA - - The California Independent System Operator Corporation ISO Board of Governors approved five new power line projects specifically intended to meet CaliforniaÂ’s environmental and energy goals.

The projects were part of the 2012-2013 Transmission Plan approved by the Board. The plan also identified the need for 36 projects that support regional and national reliability standards. The 41 transmission projects approved in the plan, which are estimated to cost approximately $1.7 billion, are needed to maintain the reliability of the transmission system and support meeting the CaliforniaÂ’s 33 percent renewables portfolio standard by 2020.

“The ISO is demonstrating California’s global energy leadership by showing how a greener grid is as resilient and reliable as the grids of yesterday while paving the way for tomorrow’s sustainable future and helping in the fight against climate change,” said ISO Board Chair Bob Foster. “A more diverse grid is a more energy secure grid.”

The annual transmission plan also includes analysis that examines infrastructure requirements for the ISO grid should one or both nuclear power plants shut down. The plan is updated annually and looks out over a 10-year horizon to determine future grid needs. Each annual ISO planning cycle includes the active participation of transmission owners, generation owners and other stakeholders, as well as coordination with the California Energy Commission and California Public Utilities Commission.