Electricity Oversight Board Records, 1996-2007

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Summary

Title:
Inventory of the Records of the Electricity Oversight Board
Dates:
1996-2007
Creators:
Electricity Oversight Board
Abstract:
The Electricity Oversight Board was created by Chapter 854, Statutes of 1996, as part of the Legislature's restructuring of California's electricity industry. The records consist of twelve series (1996-2007)which document the Board's efforts to ensure a reliable electricity system and reasonable wholesale electricity prices.
Extent:
18.5 cubic feet
Language:
Languages represented in the collection: English
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Electricity Oversight Board Records, R400.[series number], [box and folder number], California State Archives, Office of the Secretary of State, Sacramento, California.

Background

Scope and content:

The Electricity Oversight Board (EOB) records consist of 18.5 cubic feet of textual records that reflect the EOB's role within California's electricity market. The records are organized into the following record series: (1) Bill Files, 2003-2004; (2) Chronological Correspondence, 1999-2003; (3) Governor's Clean Energy Green Team Files, 1996-2001; (4) EOB Meeting Transcripts, 1996-2001; (5) EOB Meeting Files, 2000-2002; (6) Independent Service Operator Board of Governors and Committee Meeting Files, 1998-2006; (7) Independent Service Operator Market Surveillance Committee Meeting Files, 1998-2006; (8) Power Exchange Corporate Meeting Files, 1998-2000; (9) Docket Files, 1997-2000; (10) Subject Files, 1997-2007; and (11) Attorney Files, 1998-1999; and (12) Artifacts, 1997-2008.

As the overseer of actions and activities of the California Independent Service Operator, a representative from the EOB was present at ISO Board of Governors and Committee meetings. Additionally, prior to PX declaring bankruptcy, the EOB also oversaw the activities between the ISO and PX. As such, board of governors and committee meeting files of the EOB, ISO, and PX make up a significant portion of the EOB records. These series document the proceeding and actions of each board meeting and special hearing held by these entities. Further, these series provide insight to the EOB's role within California's electricity market and highlight how the Board ensured a reliable electricity system and reasonable wholesale electricity prices.

The Governor's Clean Energy Green Team Files and Docket Files are also important series within the EOB records. The Green Team was established with the adoption of AB 970 under Section 12078 to the Government Code and consisted of a chairperson and 15 members, including the Chair of the EOB. The Green Team files document the activities of the body that advised the governor on power plant development, energy-efficiency investments, and renewable energy funding. With regards to Docket Files, the series is comprised of various documents received or created by the EOB. This series documents the EOB's relationship to the ISO, PX, and FERC through its correspondence, reports, memos, court hearings, and other materials.

The remainder of the EOB records includes Bill Files, Chronological Correspondence, Subject Files, and Attorney Files. Each of these series, in addition to those already listed, illustrate how California's electricity market has changed and developed in the time prior to and after the 2000-2001 Energy Crisis.

Biographical / historical:

As part of the Legislature's restructuring of California's electricity industry, the Electricity Oversight Board (EOB) was created (Chapter 854, Statues of 1996) with the goal of ensuring a reliable electricity system and reasonable wholesale electricity prices. The Board was comprised of five members, with three voting seats. The voting members were appointed by the Governor for fixed terms and were subject to confirmation by the Senate. The two non-voting members were appointed by the Senate Rules Committee and the Assembly Speaker.

The EOB was originally tasked with overseeing the activities of the California Independent System Operator (ISO), which is a non-profit organization that manages the electricity transmission system owned by Pacific Gas and Electric, Southern California Edison, and San Diego Gas and Electric. The EOB also oversaw the activities between the ISO and Power Exchange (PX), which was the marketplace in which all electricity in the State was bought and sold. Additionally, the Board was responsible for representing California before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), which has jurisdiction over some aspects of California's electricity market.

In March 2001, during the energy crisis, PX declared bankruptcy and in turn, the EOB was in need of restructuring. New legislation altered the EOB's primary duties and tasked them with acting as market monitor while also communicating ISO rule changes to FERC (Chapter 1X, Statues of 2001). Furthermore, the Board was given broad powers to investigate and initiate proceedings at FERC in response to market manipulation by electricity market participants (Chapter 766, Statues of 2001).

After 2001, other entities began to take on the major responsibilities that the Board had originally been tasked with. For example, the ISO developed new, extensive procedures for market oversight and the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) began to deal directly with FERC in pursuit of refunds due to overcharges. Therefore, under Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's Reorganization Plan (GPR 3), the responsibilities of the EOB were transferred to the new Office of Energy Market Oversight. The EOB ceased operations on April 1, 2008.

Accruals:

No further accruals are expected.

Physical location:
California State Archives
Rules or conventions:
Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: a Content Standard

About this collection guide

Date Prepared:
© 2014
Date Encoded:
Machine-readable finding aid created by Kaitlyn Crain. Machine-readable finding aid derived from MS Word. Date of source: April 2014.

Access and use

Restrictions:

While the majority of the records are open for research, any access restrictions are noted in the record series descriptions.

Terms of access:

For permission to reproduce or publish, please contact the California State Archives. Permission for reproduction or publication is given on behalf of the California State Archives as the owner of the physical items. The researcher assumes all responsibility for possible infringement which may arise from reproduction or publication of materials from the California State Archives collections.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Electricity Oversight Board Records, R400.[series number], [box and folder number], California State Archives, Office of the Secretary of State, Sacramento, California.

Location of this collection:
1020 "O" Street
Sacramento, CA 95814, US
Contact:
(916) 653-2246
reference@sos.ca.gov
Website