Research and Reports
Several studies have been done at the national level and in California to assess the current state of the electric transmission system and future needs. A sampling of these studies and reports includes:
The National Electric Transmission Congestion Study
As part of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, the Federal Department of Energy conducted a nation-wide study to identify areas with the most transmission congestion. The initial report came out in 2006, designating two regions as "national interest electric transmission corridors." In addition to these designations, the report also identified areas of concern, which included the San Francisco Bay Area.
The report can be found at: http://nietc.anl.gov/documents/docs/Congestion_Study_2006-9MB.pdf.
The North American Electric Reliability Corporation's 2008 Long-Term Reliability Assessment
This report by NERC concluded that more transmission is needed, particularly to access renewable energy. The report can be found at: http://www.nerc.com/files/LTRA2008.pdf.
Renewable Energy Transmission Initiative (RETI) Phase 2A Report
The RETI report developed a conceptual transmission plan designed to meet the requirement of obtaining 33 percent of California's electricity from renewable resources by 2020. The report found that 13 new power lines, including several in Northern California, are needed to meet these goals, at a cost of $15.7 billion. The report can be found at: http://www.energy.ca.gov/2009publications/RETI-1000-2009-001/RETI-1000-2009-001-F-REV2.PDF.
California Energy Commission's Strategic Transmission Investment Plan
This plan by the CEC emphasizes the need for coordinated and effective statewide transmission planning and an effective way to resolve land use conflicts that emerge when permitting transmission lines.
The report can be found at: http://www.energy.ca.gov/2005publications/CEC-100-2005-006/CEC-100-2005-006-CTD.PDF.
California Energy Commission's 2009 Integrated Energy Policy Report
This report by the CEC identifies the need for transmission as a major barrier to achieving California's requirement of 33 percent renewables by 2020. It can be viewed at: http://www.energy.ca.gov/2009publications/CEC-100-2009-003/CEC-100-2009-003-CTF.PDF.
California Public Utilities Commission's 33% Renewables Portfolio Standard Implementation Analysis Preliminary Results
In the results of this analysis, the 11 new transmission lines that the CPUC estimates will be needed - just to meet California's RPS requirement -- are projected to cost $16 billion. Three of these lines are currently under way, but the CPUC predicts that even if implementation on all the other lines were to start today, it would take another 14 years the achieve the 33 percent RPS requirement. The full analysis can be found at: http://docs.cpuc.ca.gov/PUBLISHED/GRAPHICS/102354.PDF.
California Public Utilities Commission Renewables Portfolio Standard Quarterly Report to the Legislature, Q4 2009
This report focuses on California's three large IOUs, Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E), Southern California Edison (SCE), and San Diego Gas and Electric (SDG&E), which together provide approximately 80% of the state's retail sales. CPUC analyzes data from these IOUs to provide insight into the state's RPS progress. The report can be found at: http://www.cpuc.ca.gov/NR/rdonlyres/52BFA25E-0D2E-48C0-950C-9C82BFEEF54C/0/FourthQuarter2009RPSLegislativeReportFINAL.pdf.
California Energy Commission's Inventory of California Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 1990 to 2004
As of 2006, California's electricity sector was the second largest generator of greenhouse gas emissions, contributing 25 percent of the state's total from both in-state and imported electricity generation and transmission. The final report can be found at: http://www.energy.ca.gov/2006publications/CEC-600-2006-013/CEC-600-2006-013-SF.PDF.
California Independent System Operator Corporation Market Issues & Performance 2008 Annual Report
In 2008, congestion and related reliability services cost Californians approximately $232 million, up from $221 million in 2007, according to the Cal-ISO Market Issues and Performance 2008 Annual Report. The report can be found at: http://www.caiso.com/2390/239087966e450.pdf.
California Transmission Planning Group
The California Transmission Planning Group is chartered to develop annual statewide long-term transmission plans. Study plans and reports from this group can be found at: http://www.ctpg.us.
National Grid Transmission Study
This study by the U.S. Department of Energy made clear that without dramatic improvements and upgrades over the next decade our nation's transmission system will fall short of the reliability standards our economy requires, and will result in higher electricity costs to consumers. It can be found at: http://www.energy.ca.gov/2005publications/CEC-100-2005-006/CEC-100-2005-006-CTD.PDF.
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