The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission approved the Midwest ISO as the nation's first Regional Transmission Organization (RTO) on December 20, 2001. Midwest ISO, in its role as a regional transmission organization, monitors electric reliability throughout much of the Midwest -- an area that encompasses more than 111,000 miles of interconnected high voltage transmission lines in 15 states and one Canadian province. Midwest ISO is responsible for coordinating the operation of the wholesale electric transmission system and ensuring fair access to the grid.