Opinion
The latest opinion pieces by industry thought leaders
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In the heated debate over clean hydrogen rules, additionality doesn’t add up
A handful of observers are trying to undermine congressional intent by asking the administration to prohibit American manufacturers from having equal access to clean hydrogen production.
Joe Dominguez • March 31, 2023 -
Avoiding a ‘clean power divide’ — creating national electrification co-ops for a just energy transition
If all Americans can participate, we can achieve the speed and scale required to decarbonize electricity and transportation and save the planet.
Audrey Zibelman and Victoria Harmon • March 28, 2023 -
Not ‘sick or dying or dead’: The great benefit of RTOs
To argue that some regional transmission organizations have imperfections is somewhat akin to saying, “nobody is perfect.”
Scott Miller • March 23, 2023 -
The EPA’s hydrogen push is a federal endorsement of greenwashing
Burning hydrogen in power plants is no silver bullet for meeting decarbonization goals, in part because leaks could lead to higher levels of methane, a potent greenhouse gas.
Abbe Ramanan • March 22, 2023 -
NuScale Power, the canary in the small modular reactor market
SMRs are being marketed as a solution to the climate crisis, but they're already far more expensive and take much longer to build than renewable and storage resources — technologies we already have.
David Schlissel • March 21, 2023 -
Extreme weather events are expanding — the US power grid is not
FERC, governors, state regulators and utilities should focus their efforts on interregional transmission development by encouraging investments that will yield significant long-term benefits.
Barbara Tyran • March 16, 2023 -
Can utility regulators adopt Silicon Valley’s ‘fail fast’ approach? A new Connecticut program may tell
While the pace of electric system transformation and technological innovation has increased rapidly over the last 15 years, regulatory structures have struggled to keep pace.
Josh Ryor, Matt McDonnell, and Eli Asher • March 10, 2023 -
FERC must ensure that customer funds are only used to benefit customers and not political activities
If FERC provides a level playing field, we have a chance to enact policies that are in our best interest, use science, follow the math, and implement non-emitting energy solutions.
Priya Gandbhir • March 9, 2023 -
Energy storage can be a lifesaver for people with disabilities, but policymakers can do more
During climate disasters and extreme weather events, people with underlying health conditions and disabilities face global mortality rates that are four times higher than those without disabilities.
Maria Chavez • March 6, 2023 -
Are RTOs and ISOs sick, dying or dead?
Three recent occurrences illustrate that the regional transmission organization/independent system operator regulatory model is spent.
Raymond L. Gifford and Matthew S. Larson • March 6, 2023 -
To protect families from surging energy bills, stop the foot-dragging on energy efficiency for furnaces
Wasting less energy to heat our homes can protect millions of Americans, especially lower-income households, against surging fossil fuel costs that will burst budgets for many families over the coming months.
Richard Eckman • Feb. 14, 2023 -
The US lags on battery sustainability and supply chain transparency — can a digital ‘passport’ be the answer?
A standardized means by which to track key indicators along supply chains can help the U.S. stay competitive in the race towards decarbonization while helping companies comply with new regulations.
Emily Burlinghaus • Feb. 13, 2023 -
Renewables would provide cheaper energy than 99% of US coal plants and catalyze a just energy transition
Investment in lower-cost wind and solar resources is an economic opportunity worth up to $589 billion, providing jobs and tax base to coal communities.
Michelle Solomon and Mike O’Boyle • Feb. 9, 2023 -
How utilities can prepare for Inflation Reduction Act impacts via bipartisan infrastructure law planning
There is potential for utilities to substantially boost their clean energy efforts, upgrade infrastructure, and improve customer satisfaction, but they must start by developing an integrated plan of action.
Michael Jung • Feb. 8, 2023 -
New England policymakers have the tech and funds for energy security. They just need to act.
Distributed renewable energy — especially when paired with energy storage — can provide near-term relief to high power prices while improving reliability.
Mike Judge • Feb. 3, 2023 -
Vehicle-to-grid charging is coming fast — here’s how regulators and utilities can prepare now
If utilities do not start planning now, in a few years we will have millions of EVs on the road that are not being used to their full potential as a source of energy storage.
Laura Sherman • Feb. 2, 2023 -
Getting politics out of utility bills
Public utility commissions should explicitly bar utilities from spending customers' money on politics, using clear and common-sense definitions of political activity.
David Pomerantz • Feb. 1, 2023 -
A responsible supply chain and circular economy for batteries will be critical for EVs and electric utilities
Whether it’s advanced batteries for EVs or for energy storage to meet peak grid demand, foreign pressures on strategic resources and the global supply chain are directly at odds with our domestic energy policies and ambitions.
Steve Christensen • Jan. 31, 2023 -
An open letter to the Department of Energy: Enough with the technical assistance
Well-meaning as they may be, EPA and DOE, which are tasked with distributing the funding from the Inflation Reduction Act and bipartisan infrastructure law, can be painfully oblivious to the needs of recipients.
Alicia Brown • Jan. 30, 2023 -
EVs are more popular than ever. They’re also extremely prone to cyberattacks.
If action is not taken to uniformly protect electric vehicles and charging infrastructure from cyber threats, the mobile exoskeleton of the U.S. could be targeted.
Shahid Mahdi • Jan. 27, 2023 -
6 reasons why grid access charges should not be part of utility rates
Although GACs are extremely effective in recovering utility fixed and demand costs and reducing cross-subsidies, they do so regressively, posing a serious risk to the sustainable diffusion of rooftop solar technology.
Ahmed S. Alahmed • Jan. 26, 2023 -
Green hydrogen – The fuel of the future if we lead with data
Grid-enabled clean hydrogen can be a powerful decarbonization tool if the production involves 100% hourly-matched, locally-procured, clean generation established specifically for the clean hydrogen generator.
Benjamin L. Gerber • Jan. 25, 2023 -
How US grid operators can defend against the unprecedented surge in power system attacks
Undertaking random security measures, better information-sharing with law enforcement, and enlisting public support are among the steps grid operators can take to address the increase in attacks.
Ben Joelson • Jan. 24, 2023 -
The US can go much bigger on offshore wind: 3 lessons from the UK and Denmark
While 30 GW by 2030 is a good start, the U.K., Denmark, and other nations should inspire us to set our sights orders of magnitude higher.
Mike O’Boyle • Jan. 19, 2023 -
California PUC’s delay of microgrids program harms disadvantaged communities
This delay in community microgrid development means more vulnerability to heat waves, wildfires, power shutoffs and pollution, especially in frontline communities.
Stephanie Doyle and Shina Robinson • Jan. 18, 2023