Supporters tell Montana committee the new ROE could bring independent governance and expand western market benefits

Lee Reuben Shen of Advanced Energy United told the committee the ROE (Regional Organization for Western Energy) aims to provide independent governance for Western market platforms and will begin by assuming governance responsibilities for the Western Energy Imbalance Market (EIM) and EDAM day‑ahead platform. “The ROE will offer market services a la carte — you can join the real‑time market first, and add services later — and will protect states’ policy authority through a formal consultation body,” Shen said.

Shen reviewed studies the ROE and others relied on: Utah‑led studies and independent economic modeling that show larger regional market footprints typically deliver larger reliability and economic benefits. He said ROE incorporation is underway (incorporated January) and the inaugural board could be seated this summer, with a target for ROE governance of EIM/EDAM in January 2028.

Committee members and stakeholders raised practical and political issues: some worried about seams created by two competing day‑ahead platforms (CAISO’s EDAM and SPP’s Markets Plus) and urged Montana to avoid locking itself into one configuration that would create inefficient borders. Renewable‑sector commenters and Northwestern Energy noted tangible benefits already available through the EIM (Northwestern reported >$200M in realized benefits). Several members stressed the importance of educating the public and regulators about what market participation would mean for Montana’s utilities and customers.

Why it matters: An ROE that affords independent governance while preserving state policy space could accelerate market integration, improve wholesale efficiency and resource adequacy, and guide transmission planning — all topics the Energy Task Force and ETIC said they will continue to study.