Press Releases
Southwest Power Pool President and CEO Barbara Sugg announces retirement after 35 years of service
LITTLE ROCK, ARK. — Southwest Power Pool’s (SPP) President and CEO Barbara Sugg announced on August 8 that she will retire in April 2025 following 35 years of service to the organization. SPP’s board of directors has engaged search firm Heidrick & Struggles to assess internal and external candidates to identify Sugg’s replacement. The board will name a new CEO prior to Sugg’s departure, allowing ample time for a smooth, effective transition.
Read MoreSPP board approves new planning reserve margins to protect against high winter, summer use
LITTLE ROCK, ARK. — At their August 5-6 meetings, Southwest Power Pool’s (SPP) Regional State Committee and Board of Directors approved increases to the planning reserve margins (PRM) member utilities are required to maintain in support of regional grid reliability. PRM represents the amount of back-up power utilities must have to guard against unplanned conditions or events on the regional power grid.
Read MoreFERC requests additional information regarding Markets+ tariff filing; SPP coordinating response
LITTLE ROCK, ARK. — Southwest Power Pool (SPP) received a letter from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) on July 31 requesting additional information regarding the grid operator’s March 29 Markets+ tariff filing. SPP has already begun work considering these requests and is preparing responses that SPP leaders are confident will adequately demonstrate readiness to build and launch a regional, day-ahead market that effectively and equitably serves customers across the Western Interconnection.
Read MoreSunny Raheem named SPP’s Director of System Planning, Engineering
LITTLE ROCK, ARK. — Southwest Power Pool (SPP) has chosen Sunny Raheem as its new Director of System Planning for the Engineering Department, effective July 16, 2024.
Read MoreSPP files expanded regional transmission organization tariff to include western entities
LITTLE ROCK, ARK. — Southwest Power Pool (SPP) reached a significant milestone June 4, when it filed with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) amendments to its tariff that include provisions specific to its western members. Pending FERC’s approval, SPP will become the first organization in the U.S. to provide full regional transmission organization (RTO) services in both the Eastern and Western Interconnections of the nation’s power grid beginning in early 2026.
Read MoreSufficient energy forecasted for higher-than-normal summer temperatures
LITTLE ROCK, ARK. — Southwest Power Pool (SPP), responsible for coordinating electric reliability in a 14-state area in the central United States, expects to have enough generation to meet energy demand despite higher regional temperatures this summer.
Read MoreEPA Rule Could Severely Impact Nation’s Efforts Toward Energy Production, Reliability
SPP sent its member utilities a statement on May 20, detailing the impact a final rule issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) could have on future energy availability throughout their region and the country. Given SPP’s and its stakeholders’ commitment to ensuring electric reliability, the grid operator asserts the EPA rule could negatively impact the nation’s ability to provide consumers reliable electric service in the interest of a swift transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy, particularly during a time when additional generating capacity is already needed to ensure the reliable supply of energy.
Read MoreSouthwest Power Pool Regional State Committee Celebrates 20 Years of Collaboration and Innovation
LITTLE ROCK, ARK. - Southwest Power Pool (SPP) recognizes the 20th anniversary of the formation of its Regional State Committee (RSC) this year. Established in April 2004, the SPP RSC has played a pivotal role in the ongoing modernization of the bulk electric transmission system across the central United States. The group’s ongoing work is a hallmark of SPP’s collaborative approach to coordinating electric reliability across a multi-state territory and among stakeholders with diverse interests, challenges and opportunities.
Read MoreSPP announces changes to executive leadership
LITTLE ROCK, ARK. — Southwest Power Pool (SPP) today announced changes to the organization’s executive team meant to further strengthen its position as a leader in electric reliability and affordability. David Kelley has been named Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer (CFO), and Casey Cathey has been promoted to Vice President of Engineering.
Read MoreWestern utilities express support for continued Markets+ development
LITTLE ROCK, ARK. — Southwest Power Pool (SPP) received a letter Friday, April 12 from 26 western entities indicating their support for continued development of Markets+. The letter is signed by organizations from the Pacific Northwest, Desert Southwest and Mountain West regions, which together represent approximately 57 GW of peak demand across ten states and one province in the Western Interconnection. The group highlights preferred aspects of the proposed market’s unique design and governance structure.
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