[_Jim]

The local utilities that comprise ERCOT have pledged not to sell their power to interstate customers. As a result, the interconnection is exempt from most regulation by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission,

FOR the record ... from the NERC "2003 Summer Assessment" report concerning ERCOT -

- excerpt:

2003 Summer Assessment
North American Electric Reliability Council

Interregional transmission transfer capability [HV inter-region Transmission lines] is limited to two DC ties ['ties' are lines that connect different regions] with SPP [Southwest Power Pool] that have a total capability of 820 MW.

ERCOT does not expect to require external assistance from those ties to meet the projected summer peak.

The "SPP" region is located to the east, north and north west of Texas ... I don't know where exactly the 'DC lines' are.