Episode Summary

In this episode, Elena Mannion and Pete Curtice are joined by Tom Rutigliano, a senior advocate at the Sustainable FERC Project. The Sustainable FERC Project is a coalition of environmental groups housed at the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). 

Show Notes:

In this episode, Elena and Pete welcome Tom Rutigliano, a senior advocate at the Sustainable FERC Project. Tom is part of a coalition of environmental groups housed under the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) that presses for solutions that make our grid more resilient, lower costs, and protect the environment.

Tom’s views on resource adequacy highlight the importance of ensuring that the power grid is reliable and secure at all times. He emphasizes that resource adequacy should not be used as an excuse to provide hidden subsidies for fossil fuels, as this would harm the environment and undermine the transition to a low-carbon energy future. Instead, he suggests that resource adequacy needs to be updated to reflect the changing energy landscape, considering the growth of renewables and energy storage technologies. By doing so, we can move towards a more sustainable and resilient grid capable of delivering clean and reliable energy to all.

The discussion also covers key themes, including FERC Order 2222, demand response, batteries, and intermittent resources.

Tune in as Tom, Elena, and Pete distill the complex world of energy and grid planning and the significance of resource adequacy in building a low-carbon and, eventually, zero-carbon grid.

Click here to view the transcript.

Additional Readings:
MIT Press: The Power Brokers by Jeremiah Lambert
Atlantic: Unfortunately, I Care About Power Lines Now by Robinson Meyer