Graduation Year
2018
Document Type
Open Access Senior Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelor of Arts
Department
Environment, Economics and Politics
Reader 1
Nancy Neiman Auerbach
Reader 2
John Jurewitz
Terms of Use & License Information
Rights Information
© 2017 Siena J.M. Hacker
Abstract
A Regional System Operator in the Western Interconnection would create significant environmental and economic benefits. California alone could realize annual savings of up to 1.5 billion dollars while cutting the state’s greenhouse gas emissions by eight to ten percent in 2030. However, many stakeholders have rejected development of a Regional System Operator both historically and in recent California Legislative sessions. Ultimately, key stakeholders’ fears of repeating the California Electricity Crisis, relinquishing state authority, allowing greater interference from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, and sacrificing legislative environmental progress in California have created political opposition and legislative failures blocking efforts to develop a Regional System Operator. To overcome these political failures and realize the benefits of a better-organized regional electricity market, stakeholders will need to compromise and accept the vague risks of unforeseen consequences.
Recommended Citation
Hacker, Siena, "A Western Interconnection Regional System Operator: Benefits and Barriers" (2018). Scripps Senior Theses. 1123.
https://scholarship.claremont.edu/scripps_theses/1123
