What Are Regional Transmission Organizations and How Do They Interact with State Climate Goals?

This NCEL briefing explains how Regional Transmission Organizations (RTOs) and Independent System Operators (ISOs) manage wholesale electricity markets, influencing which energy sources reach the grid and what ratepayers pay. It outlines how capacity markets operated by RTOs like PJM and ISO-NE can either support or hinder state renewable energy goals. The article highlights successful examples of state legislators pressuring RTOs to align market rules with clean energy policies, making it a useful primer for advocates seeking to understand the role of electricity market structures in the clean energy transition.