3.8Development of Transmission Reinforcement Options

3.8.1At the request of the PSC, the ISO shall develop a limited number of illustrative transmission reinforcement options, and associated cost estimates, to increase transfer capability limits on interfaces identified by the PSC as having significant Congestion.  Such reinforcement option results shall be made available to all customers or potential customers for the purpose of evaluating the economic costs and benefits of new facilities.  Eligible Customers, including Transmission Owners, may then request a System Impact Study for a specific expansion project in accordance with Section 3.7.1 through 3.7.3.  Development of the transmission reinforcement options will not reflect the impacts of alternatives that may be proposed by other Eligible Customers, including generation projects, which could increase or decrease transmission interface transfer capability or Congestion Rents or both.  Cost estimates provided will be based on readily available data and shall in no way be binding on the ISO.  The ISO will not charge the PSC for this service.

3.8.2Subject to the Eligible Customer’s obligation to compensate the ISO, at the request of an Eligible Customer, the ISO will develop illustrative transmission reinforcement options as described in Section 3.8.1 above.  The Eligible Customer shall comply with the provisions of Sections 3.7.1 through 3.7.3 that require the customer to enter into a System Impact Study agreement and agree to compensate the ISO for all costs incurred to conduct the study.

3.8.3Requests to proceed with a system expansion shall be subject to the provisions of Sections 3.7.4 through 3.7.8, and Sections 3.13 through 3.15.