California ISO Names New Board Chair; Seasoned Industry Veteran Governor Mason Willrich Selected.

FOLSOM, Calif. -- The California Independent System Operator (California ISO) Board of Governors today selected electricity industry veteran and author Mason Willrich as its new Board Chair after current Chair Ken Wiseman announced he was stepping down from the post. Wiseman said because he does not intend to seek reappointment at the conclusion of his term in six months, it is important to have a smooth and certain transition. Wiseman and Willrich issued the following joint statement today:

"We are united and aligned in our commitment to the success of the California ISO and will work together over the next six months to ensure that this change is seamless."

From 1989 to 1994, Willrich served as the Chief Executive Officer of PG&E Enterprises, a subsidiary of Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E). Prior to that position, Willrich held various executive positions at PG&E including executive vice president responsible for corporate services. He has also served as director of a solar manufacturing firm and was chair of a joint venture that provided heat and power to industrial firms in less developed countries. Willrich has also authored or co-authored numerous books and articles on energy policy and international security issues.

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger appointed Willrich to the ISO Board in March 2005 to a term that expires December 2007. Wiseman was appointed by Governor Schwarzenegger in October 2004 to a term that expires December 2006. He was elected Chair in February 2005.

The California ISO is a not-for-profit public benefit corporation charged with managing the flow of electricity along California's open-market wholesale power grid. The mission of the California ISO is to safeguard the reliable delivery of electricity, and ensure equal access to 25,000 circuit miles of "electron highway." As the impartial operator of the wholesale power grid in the state, the California ISO conducts a small portion of the bulk power markets. These markets are used to allocate space on the transmission lines, maintain operating reserves and match supply with demand in real time.