Railbelt Transmission Organization

The Railbelt Transmission Organization (RTO) was established under Alaska Statute (AS) 44.83.700-720 as a division of the Alaska Energy Authority and consists of a representative from:

  • Alaska Energy Authority
  • Chugach Electric Association
  • Golden Valley Electric Association
  • Homer Electric Association
  • Matanuska Electric Association
  • Seward Electric Association
  • Railbelt Reliability Council

The RTO is responsible for establishing and administering a non-discriminatory open access transmission tariff that (1) provides for the recovery of Railbelt backbone transmission costs and related ancillary services; and, (2) replaces wholesale charges assessed by unit by each utility in the Railbelt charges with a new mechanism that fairly recovers and equitably allocates the costs of operating the backbone transmission system.

The transmission assets are independently owned by AEA and the Railbelt utilities. The RTO does not own any transmission assets.

Required Filings with the Regulatory Commission of Alaska (RCA):

  • On or before January 1, 2025 – The RTO shall apply to the RCA for a certificate under AS 42.05.221.
  • On or before July 1, 2025 – The RTO shall file with the RCA a nondiscriminatory open access transmission tariff consistent with Federal Energy Regulatory Commission standards.

The nondiscriminatory open access transmission tariff must, as approved by the RCA, (1) pool backbone transmission system costs and allocate those costs through certificated load-serving entities on a coincident peak or load ratio share basis, or a combination of both; and (2) account for

(A) required backbone transmission system ancillary services;
(B) backbone transmission system congestion;
(C) disruptions to the backbone transmission system that result in the isolation of one geographical area of the backbone transmission system from another for more than 24 hours; and
(D) costs to own and operate the backbone transmission system, as established by the commission or by contract, including transmission costs associated with the Bradley Lake hydroelectric project. A Railbelt utility shall pass the commission-approved transmission costs directly and transparently to the utility's customer



2026 RTO Schedule

Date Agenda Audio Minutes
January 08, 2026 Agenda
Audio
January 16, 2026 Agenda

Meetings will be conducted by electronic media pursuant to Alaska Statute 44.83.040(b) at the following location 813 W Northern Lights Blvd., Anchorage, AK 99503.


NOTE: These dates and times are subject to change or cancellation. Please check back frequently for updated information. Meeting locations will be posted on this page. If you have any questions, please contact Jennifer Bertolini at (907) 771-3074.


The Railbelt Transmission Organization is a division of the Alaska Energy Authority and is composed of the Alaska Energy Authority, Chugach Electric Association, City of Seward, Golden Valley Electric Association, Homer Electric Association, Matanuska Electric Association and the Railbelt Reliability Council.




2025 Railbelt Transmission Organization Resolutions

Year / Resolution # Subject
2025-01 Designating Initial Standing Subcommittees

The complete filing is available at the Commission's website at:

Regulatory Commission of Alaska matter number TA1-8001

PUBLIC NOTICE:

2025.07.02 RTO - Notice of Utility Tariff Filing638870978448502364