This is truly an epic moment for Grid reliability and the need to focus on acquiring "Grid Services" to ensure reliability, while also respecting State rights to decide where their energy supplies come from. Speaking as the Software Architect for ISO New England's Forward Capacity Market Clearing Engine (FCM MCE) in 2009 (now retired) , this marks an inflection point for Capacity Market Reforms, which has been a topic of discussion on Energy Central since 2019.
Now State and Federal policy makers can focus their efforts on designing a capacity market with one main objective function: "Acquire the Grid Services needed for grid reliability across New England while achieving each individual NE States Energy Goals, at the most reasonable and just cost to consumers, that does not burden one States consumers with the cost of policies pursued by another State. The costs of each States energy policy must be borne by the consumers in that State."
I commend FERC Chairman Glick for his courageous leadership in this delicate and contentious matter. See his position statement, linked below, on Capacity Market reforms in New England.
Here are a few items in Chairman Glick's position statement that, IMO, offer profound guidance moving forward:
"There can be no winners in a regulatory civil war between FERC and the states."
"Ending the federal-state antagonism over the MOPR represents a significant step forward toward ensuring resource adequacy at just and reasonable rates, which is, after all, the entire purpose of a capacity market"
"we must ensure, in a resource-neutral manner, that wholesale electricity markets are procuring the services need to keep the lights on and the grid in balance."
"I believe the better course of action for a durable solution to ISO-NE’s winter reliability issues may lie in a seasonal approach to procuring the services that will ensure the reliable operation of the grid."
Well said Mr. Chairman.
Have a happy and safe Memorial Day weekend.