Layoffs at ISO

The California Independent System Operator is scaling back its operations.

California's electric grid operator on Wednesday laid off 37 more employees, and soon will complete a round of about 50 job cuts aimed at reducing costs, said officials for the state Independent System Operator.

The not-for-profit agency, based in Folsom, is also eliminating several dozen vacant positions, decreasing its total work force from 612 to 517, said ISO spokeswoman Stephanie McCorkle.

The job cuts, steep reductions in spending on contractors and other staff changes should help the grid operator lower the fees it charges wholesale electricity buyers, she said. Those buyers, including utilities, ultimately pass the costs along to their own customers.

Let's hope that does not mean the system's reliability will be scaled back as well.