Western Grid Group (WGG) was formed as West Wind Wires in 2003 to secure and promote transmission access primarily for wind power projects. We renamed it Western Grid Group in 2008 to reflect the fact that our policy work seeks to accelerate the incorporation of a broad range of cost-effective, low-carbon technologies into the electric system. Securing development of the infrastructure needed to achieve energy security and carbon reduction goals remains our primary focus.

The mission of Western Grid Group is to develop and work to implement policies to:

• Improve the efficiency of the existing grid, through technology and market changes, to provide near-term access for clean power;
• Ensure transmission and system planning incorporates all cost-effective energy efficiency, dynamic load resources and distributed generation, and minimizes and mitigates electric sector environmental impacts; and
• Expand the grid, to access and deliver renewable energy; minimize life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions; and enhance system reliability.

WGG is staffed by former state regulators, clean energy project developers and state officials. We have been actively involved in all major state and regional planning initiatives in the west, beginning with the Rocky Mountain Area Transmission Study (RMATS) in 2003. In addition to RMATS, we have influenced the Western Governors’ Clean and Diversified Energy Initiative; the Frontier Line study; the Western Renewable Energy Zones initiative; and renewable energy zone and transmission identification initiatives in AZ, CA, CO, NV and UT. This year, as discussed below, we have had significant influence on the WECC Regional Transmission Expansion Planning process.