California ISO allocates 10-year transmission rights
Called Congestion Revenue Rights (CRRS) by the California ISO, the hedges provide Load Serving Entities (LSEs) and other holders with a more stable cost structure by offsetting the congestion costs incurred for use of the high-voltage power grid. The provision of long-term financial commitments is in accordance with the directives of the Energy Policy Act (EPAct).
"In addition to the significant financial benefits derived by LSEs, CRRs will also increase the effectiveness of ISO operations by making use of every megawatt of transmission capacity on the system," according to California ISO President and CEO Yakout Mansour. "The provision of long-term rights was voiced by our customers and is a major tenant of federal law-makers and regulators. I am proud that our team, working cooperatively with our stakeholders, was able to forge ahead and deliver on this important initiative. This is a tremendous accomplishment for both the ISO and the power industry as a whole."
EPAct was instituted as federal law in August of 2005 and requires the planning and expansion of the nation's transmission facilities to meet the needs of load serving entities by helping them secure firm transmission rights on a long-term basis in support of their long-term power supply arrangements.
Long-term CRRs are an extension of the annual allocation and auction process conducted by the California ISO, lengthening some of the one-year rights to a total term of 10 years (2008-2017). Participants who acquire CRRs and Long-term CRRs can trade their financial rights within a secondary market. CRRs were developed in conjunction with the Market Redesign and Technology Upgrade (MRTU) that will be launched on March 31, 2008.
Related News

U.S. power demand seen sliding 1% in 2023 on milder weather
WASHINGTON - U.S. power consumption is expected to slip about 1% in 2023 from the previous year as milder weather slows usage from the record high hit in 2022, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) said in its Short-Term Energy Outlook (STEO).
EIA projected that electricity demand is on track to slide to 4,000 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) in 2023 from a historic high of 4,048 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) in 2022, before rising to 4,062 billion kWh in 2024 as economic growth ramps up.
Less demand coupled with more electricity generation from cheap renewable power sources and lower natural gas prices is forecast…