The Governance of Wholesale Power Markets

Wholesale power markets are core to the functioning of the US electricity system and to the transition to 100% clean energy. Yet their design and operations can be difficult to influence, or even track, due to complicated structures and processes, extensive regulations, and highly technical jargon.

This paper is the second in a series designed to help state officials and other stakeholders understand wholesale electricity markets. It looks especially at the role of regional transmission organizations (RTOs) and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) in operating regional wholesale power markets. It explains how the RTOs are governed and explores the barriers and opportunities for states to influence market governance. It provides specific steps that state officials and other stakeholders can take to keep abreast of and influence market governance.