The California Independent System Operator (CAISO), the Folsom-based entity that manages this state’s electricity transmission, a contemplating entering into a joint venture with PacifiCorp, the Portland, Ore.-based utility that supplies electricity to 1.8 million customers in Wyoming, Utah, Idaho, Washington and Oregon.

The proposal offers promises, but raises questions, too. California could lose a measure of independence. So could the other states. Oregon and Washington, blue states that they are, are fine with green energy. But Wyoming, Idaho and Utah are deep red states with voters who are contemptuous of Obama, and the energy policies advocated by him and, for that matter, Jerry Brown.

First, the upside. As California expands its renewable energy production, the state will have surpluses. By becoming part of a Western regional electricity grid, California could seamlessly wheel green power to the other states, helping them reduce their dependence on coal and other fossil fuels.

Next, a complicating factor: Electrons flow both ways. California would export electricity produced by the heavenly sun. But wouldn’t Mead send us electrons that are the devilish spawn of coal?

It won’t happen, say representatives of PacifiCorp and CAISO. Because of California’s cap-and-trade program, the state Air Resources Board imposes fees on greenhouse gas producers. Because coal is a major greenhouse gas emitter, coal-produced electricity would be too costly in California.

PacifiCorp mines and burns coal – lots of it. On its website, PacifiCorp says “coal is a valuable resource and fuels 58 percent of the electricity produced by PacifiCorp’s owned generating plants.”

All that energy has to go somewhere. If California doesn’t use it, presumably red states would.

None of this is lost on Senate President pro tem Kevin de León, the author of pending legislation, Senate Bill 350, to dramatically cut greenhouse gas emissions.

“Regional energy markets can be a good thing if they don’t weaken California’s clean power program,” de León said. “It cannot – cannot – weaken our strong energy policies so that all of sudden we’re getting dirty coal. … I’ll be watching like a hawk.”

Any joint venture likely would require legislation to restructure the CAISO governing board. As it is, the governor appoints the five-member board, with Senate oversight.

What the new board might look like is to be determined.

As it strives to end reliance on fossil fuel, will California help turn the rest of the West green? Or will the Golden State end up being dusted with coal ash?

http://www.sacbee.com/opinion/opn-columns-blogs/dan-morain/article30956595.html