[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 18, Volume 1]
[Revised as of April 1, 2004]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 18CFR2.21]

[Page 26-27]
 
           TITLE 18--CONSERVATION OF POWER AND WATER RESOURCES
 
  CHAPTER I--FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION, DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
 
PART 2_GENERAL POLICY AND INTERPRETATIONS--Table of Contents
 
Sec. 2.21  Regional Transmission Groups.

    (a) General policy. The Commission encourages Regional Transmission 
Groups (RTGs) as a means of enabling the market for electric power to 
operate in a more competitive and efficient way. The Commission believes 
that RTGs can provide a means of coordinating regional planning of the 
transmission system and assuring that system capabilities are always 
adequate to meet system demands. RTG agreements that contain components 
that satisfy paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section generally will be 
considered to be just, reasonable, and not unduly discriminatory or 
preferential under the Federal Power Act (FPA). The Commission 
encourages RTG agreements that contain as much detail as possible in all 
of the components listed, particularly if the RTG participants will be 
seeking Commission deference to decisions reached under an RTG 
agreement.
    (b) Organizational components. (1) An RTG agreement should provide 
for broad membership and, at a minimum, allow any entity that is subject 
to, or eligible to apply for, an order under section 211 of the FPA to 
be a member. An RTG agreement should encompass an area of sufficient 
size and contiguity to enable members to provide transmission services 
in a reliable, efficient, and competitive manner.
    (2) An RTG agreement should provide a means of adequate consultation 
and coordination with relevant state regulatory, siting, and other 
authorities.
    (3) An RTG agreement should include fair and nondiscriminatory 
governance and decisionmaking procedures, including voting procedures.
    (c) Other components. (1) An RTG agreement should impose on member 
transmitting utilities an obligation to provide transmission services 
for other members, including the obligation to enlarge facilities, on a 
basis that is consistent with sections 205, 206, 211, 212 and 213 of the 
FPA. To the extent

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practicable and known, the RTG agreement should specify the terms and 
conditions under which transmission services will be offered.
    (2) An RTG agreement should require, at a minimum, the development 
of a coordinated transmission plan on a regional basis and the sharing 
of transmission planning information, with the goal of efficient use, 
expansion, and coordination of the interconnected electric system on a 
grid-wide basis. An RTG agreement should provide mechanisms to 
incorporate the transmission needs of non-members into regional plans. 
An RTG agreement should include as much detail as possible with regard 
to operational and planning procedures.
    (3) An RTG agreement should include voluntary dispute resolution 
procedures that provide a fair alternative to resorting in the first 
instance to section 206 complaints or section 211 proceedings.
    (4) An RTG agreement should include an exit provision for RTG 
members that leave the RTG, specifying the obligations of a departing 
member.
    (d) Filing procedures. Any proposed RTG agreement that in any manner 
affects or relates to the transmission of electric energy in interstate 
commerce by a public utility, or rates or charges for such transmission, 
must be filed with the Commission. Any public utility member of a 
proposed RTG may file the RTG agreement with the Commission on behalf of 
the other public utility members under section 205 of the FPA.

[58 FR 41632, Aug. 5, 1993]