IV.Topics Common to Multiple Regions

IV.Topics Common to Multiple Regions

The conferences summarized above were planned as a series of regional discussions given that the particular circumstances and needs of each region are distinct. Notwithstanding the regional focus of the discussions, a recurring theme across all of the conferences was that more attention needs to be paid to gas-electric interdependence issues. Participants in multiple conferences also stressed that some matters may be more appropriate for generic consideration while others are more appropriate for individual regions to address. In addition, several topics were of particular interest to participants across the conferences. The discussion below focuses on these topics:

• communications, coordination, and information sharing, including the Standards of Conduct and prohibitions on undue preference and discrimination;

• scheduling-related issues, including the no-bump rule and pipeline capacity release policies;

• electric resource adequacy, including RTO and ISO wholesale electric capacity markets; and

• reliability issues.

Industry representatives participating in the technical conferences described ongoing efforts to address each of these topics, noting that some issues implicate rules of general applicability while others are tied more closely to market structures or the resource mix of a particular region. For example, conference participants generally stated that communications and coordination improvements could be made on a regional basis, but that generic guidance regarding Commission rules and policies would facilitate progress. Similarly, while electric scheduling practices within a particular region can be
refined to better align with gas scheduling opportunities, changes to gas scheduling rules would require national coordination given the way pipeline systems are operated. In comparison, resource adequacy and reliability issues are often tied to the structure and performance of the electric system in a particular region.
Staff discusses on-going efforts in each of these cross-cutting areas below. Where relevant, staff provides guidance regarding applicable Commission rules and policies and highlights regional activities that will be monitored for progress.