WIRES 890 Comment doc final

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA BEFORE THE FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION Transmission Planning Processes ) Docket No. AD09-8-000 Under Order No. 890 ) INITIAL COMMENTS OF WIRES I. Introduction WIRES, also known as the Working group for Investment in Reliable and Economic electric Systems, is a national non-profit association of transmission providers and customers, technology and service companies, and renewable energy developers created to promote investment in the nation's high-voltage transmission 1system. WIRES respectfully submits these comments in response to the issues raised by the Staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission ("Commission" or "FERC") in its October 8, 2009 Notice in the above-referenced docket. WIRES applauds the Commission Staff for its insightful Notice on Order No. 890 matters and its efforts to reach out to market participants in all regions of the country to sample opinion on the state of transmission planning, cost allocation, and other matters affecting the future of the nation's high voltage system. It goes without saying that the industry is prepared to strengthen the transmission system and we are persuaded that private capital will flow into this sector if the regulatory environment provides sufficient opportunity and certainty with respect to investment, ...