Taking a cue from what apparently began with Southern California Edison, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission decided to start a process to socialize new transmission line costs if regional grid operators want to do so. “It’s up to the regions,” said commission chair Jon Wellinghoff. “If there’s no benefits, there’s no costs.” He added that the July 21 decision gives regions--like the California Independent System Operator--guidelines to allow new transmission costs to be driven by public policy. In California, that includes a requirement to have 33 percent of electricity supply come from renewable resources. In turn, that law engenders new transmission infrastructure. Because the social requirement is set to benefit all Californians, the transmission infrastructure’s cost may be spread out to the state’s ratepayers. While this structure began with Edison’s Antelope line in 2005--set to bring wind power from the Tehachapis to urban centers--the concept may be applied to all regional transmission providers. Currently, most transmission payment is done on a utility specific basis--that is, only customers of one utility pay for that utility’s infrastructure. “The grid will no longer be piecemeal and ad hoc,” said commissioner Marc Spitzer. The California Independent System Operator stated it couldn’t comment on the federal decision until it had a chance to study it. The new cost structure may be adopted in different ways among different regions, noted Wellinghoff. Accommodating new renewable supplies is the major reason for a change. According to Wellinghoff, 60 percent of new sources “will be wind and solar.” He added renewables “will require investments” for new miles of transmission lines. The move to regionalize costs was opposed by several Midwest, Atlantic seaboard, and Southern utilities. They maintain the decision raises rates.