Planning for California's Future Transmission Grid Review of Transmission System, Strategic Benefits, Planning Issues And Policy Recommendations

Reliable electricity at affordable prices is critical to support California's growing population and economy. California's transmission grid and interconnections with other states and regions in the Western Grid are critical to meeting reliability, environmental, and economic goals. California's transmission grid is designed to reliably move power within the state and deliver it to consumers. California's interconnections to other regions total over 18,000 MW or approximately one-third of its peak load requirements. Much of this system was developed in the 70's and 80's. New transmission developments and investments have lagged load and population growth due to regulatory uncertainty, local opposition, industry restructuring, long development lead times, uncertain and changing approval processes, concerns about inadequate returns on investment, and other factors.