Today’s LiveWire Spotlight is on NERC’s Gas/Electric Interdependencies Report – a follow-up action from last year’s investigation of the loss of electrical and natural gas service across several Midwest U.S. states during last February’s ice storm. It describes the challenges that both industries face as the electric system becomes a much larger gas customer – demanding twice the existing capacity of the gas industry.
Although the special report did not propose Standards revisions related to gas-electric interdependence, FERC could accelerate action in this area. The pressure will increase as EPA regulations force the retirement of coal units in favor of gas and renewable technologies.