The four states announced Monday they have agreed formally to create a joint committee to begin planning the "Frontier Line," an enhanced regional power grid to deliver electricity.

The agreement contains few details. How the connection will be financed is unclear. So is the technology that remains to be developed for use in the system, state energy officials said.

Joe Desmond, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's chief energy advisor, said the cooperation of the Western states is required to flesh out those details.

"This is a long undertaking and it will come in phases," Desmond told reporters on a conference call. The committee will track advances in technology and changes in the mix of energy sources as it prepares the plan, he said.

Kevin Knight, Utah's acting energy officer, said the Huntsman administration sees energy development as a crucial engine in bringing business and jobs to the state. Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. recently put energy planning under direct control of his office, along with economic development.

For years, the Western Governors Association has struggled with how to bring the Rocky Mountain region's energy potential - mostly in the form of vast coal resources - to populous California.

Last year, the states agreed that any strategy also should call for increased conservation and the development 30,000 megawatts of "clean" energy, which is wind or solar generated. The governors hope clean energy will supply 10 percent of the region's power needs within the next decade.

While the committee also will explore how to pay for the project and who would build and manage it, Desmond said the project likely will be overseen by an entity or commission outside of any one state's control.

Because the Frontier Line must cross public lands, the federal government will be involved in its development.

glenwarchol@sltrib.com