FERC Order 1000 Offers New Opportunities for Air Quality Considerations in Electric System Planning

摘要

Decisions resulting from regional transmission planning processes to assure future electric system reliability can have significant air quality impacts. Although it has always been possible for state and regional energy and environmental officials to collaborate closely, in reality it is not common. FERC Order 1000 provides air regulators with substantial new opportunities to have their voices heard. Order 1000 reinforces and expands the opportunity and need for constructive interagency collaboration. By participating in regional transmission planning processes- independently or in conjunction with their state PSCs-environmental regulators can help ensure that: (1) Regional transmission planning processes complement their state's efforts to protect public health through attainment of National Ambient Air Quality Standards; (2) The state's energy efficiency and renewable energy policies are properly considered as non-transmission alternatives; and (3) Measures identified to meet system reliability requirements assist rather than frustrate their state's efforts to improve environmental quality and public health. Many challenges loom that have joint energy and environmental impacts, including changing electricity demand characteristics, new more intelligent and interactive efficiency and grid technologies, the potential for increasing electrification of the transportation sector, and the effects of climate change. By taking advantage of the opportunity Order 1000 now offers, air regulators will find themselves in a better position to meet today's - and tomorrow's -challenges.