[thackney]

ISO gains new power to prevent blackouts
http://www.sacbee.com/103/story/27389.html

Federal officials Thursday approved new rules for California's electricity-transmission grid that can be summarized this way: No more 11th-hour scrambling for power.

The rules give the Independent System Operator, a quasi-state agency that runs the power grid, the ability to buy electricity and make other adjustments in power flow a day before it's needed.

That could prove significant. Since its inception, the Folsom-based ISO has labored under a major handicap: It had to wait until the last minute before it could buy the electricity needed to smooth out the ebbs and flows of California's power demands.

This led to major problems during the energy crisis of 2000-01. The ISO was forced to beg for huge gobs of power -- as much as 30 percent of what was needed -- literally minutes before it was used. The results included blackouts and soaring wholesale prices, which were passed on to the state's three investor-owned utilities.

[P-40]

No more 11th-hour scrambling for power.

It sounds like the state needs to invest in some stand-by generation also.

[traditional1]

The only party not affected by the ruling are the electrons, which will, as has always been, follow the paths they've always taken in accord with the laws of physics.

No matter WHAT the government takeover of the Nation's electric grid comes up with for rules, the power will flow as it always has, oblivious to what the FERC, DOE, or Kalifonia wants it to do.

Market forces do NOT change the laws of physics.....