The competition for organized markets in the West grew Friday as the Bonneville Power Administration launched a process to choose between day-ahead markets proposed by CAISO and SPP and regulators from five Western states urged the establishment of a new, independent RTO covering the entire West.

Changes meant to improve the performance of CAISO’s day-ahead market and the planned day-ahead expansion of its Western Energy Imbalance Market won board approval.

Western state regulators unanimously approved a revised charter for the Markets+ State Committee allowing additional states and Canadian provinces to join.

Panelists at the CREPC-WIRAB spring meeting argued over whether the West would benefit more from a day-ahead market run by CAISO or with another run by SPP.

Three new entities joined CAISO's Western Energy Imbalance Market, including El Paso Electric, which expanded the market into Texas for the first time.

The Energy Bar Association Western Chapter heard panelists and CAISO's CEO discuss rapidly evolving efforts to organize markets and an RA program in the West.

CAISO revamped its policy initiatives roadmap to reflect its to top strategic goals including ensuring resource adequacy and expanding its Western market role.

CAISO's Board of Governors and the Western Energy Imbalance Market Governing Body approved an extended day-ahead market for the WEIM, calling it a milestone.

CAISO released a draft report on Western regionalization that is intended to revive talks on the ISO becoming a multistate RTO and bolster legislation.

A new legislative push for multi-state CAISO governance and the ISO's drive to add an extended day ahead market top this year's agenda.