Nevada energy regulators are poised to allow their state’s largest utility to join a nascent electricity market that California’s grid operator is in the process of launching.
What happened: The Public Utilities Commission of Nevada on Tuesday published a proposed order to approve NV Energy’s application to join the Extended Day-Ahead Market that the California Independent System Operator is setting up.
Why it matters: The proposal signals that California’s move to allow independent governance of the market is now attracting out-of-state participants, alleviating previous concerns that too much California control could disadvantage other states. It’s also a blow to the Arkansas-based Southwest Power Pool, which is trying to woo Western utilities to its competing market, called Markets+.
Context: NV Energy estimates that joining the EDAM, the new California market, could save its customers $93 million each year by opening up access to cheaper electricity, including low-cost renewable energy.
