Report of System Status (Britney Spears controls Cal ISO: Opps I Did it Again!)

Western Electricity Coordinating Council ^ | Sept 13, 2002 | WECC Staff

[Robert357]

Other Comments: CISO reported Spinning Reserve was deficient from 1606 through 1629 yesterday, attaining a minimum of 910 (2.5%). Cause was unknown and they manually dispatched resources to recover.
The adjusted threat levels remain in effect: Homeland Security, Orange (High); NRC from level 3 to level 4 (of 5); NERC Medium to electrical system, although no specific threat, low to Cyber; DOE from SECON level 3 to SECON level 2 (1 highest on scale of 5).

[okie01]

"The more problems that don't get solved the more I want FERC to come in and change the management structure of the ISO."

What has to happen before FERC essentially seizes Cal ISO?

And, if they should, who would run it?

Were I them (FERC), I'd be getting somebody up in the bullpen...

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

The 300,000th CAL (Cows Ass Lighting) Power system was hooked up today to Jedediah Brimstones rammed earth house. When asked about the system, which produces gas for lighting, cooking and heating via a tube tethered to a leased bovines rectum, Mr. Brimstone remarked that "The smell gits a little ripe sometimes, and the lights flicker when the missus milks with cold hands, but all in all its way better than spending $10,000 a month on those fancy 'lectrical systems.

Here is another answer althought this one is funnier than all git out!

Power Train: Choo-choos and plant-based fuels are in our energy future.

Sierrawasp - have you seen this train?

[snopercod]

Can't FERC fine Cal-ISO for this kind of behavior?

Where is Path 31? Which cities got their power cut off?

[Robert357]

Nobody got their power cut off, but utilities had to crank up phase shifting devices to keep the power flow under control. Once more the Cal ISO has leaned on the system to save itself

[Robert357]

Can't FERC fine Cal-ISO for this kind of behavior?

Actually, FERC is smarter than that. They and NERC have set it up so that if the Cal ISO really gets the rest of the West Coast power industry mad enough, the WECC can fine Cal ISO. That means no footprints from the attack leading back to Washington DC.

From what I am reading between the lines in the WECC daily reports, that just may happen. Althought utilities generally tend to be forgiving of their sister organizations under the theory....there but for the grace of God go I... I think Cal ISO is poisoning the well with enough people that even utility to utility relationships are strained.

Also having stiffed alot of generation companies on power payments creates some mood for payback. Remember it was a California witness who said in the FERC settlement hearing that even if California got what is likely to be the amount of refunds, they would still owe more money to generators who have not yet been paid for power delivered, than California would be owed by those generating companies. Payback can be a bitch. I also expect that when FERC finally makes its decision that California will not be thrilled with the outcome.