FERC Chair Warns Grid Can't Handle Additional Power Load from Renewables Without Huge Investment

Transmission Capacity Needs Immediate Attention

Jon Wellinghoff, chair of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), put it this way: "As we add more and more wind power, the grid will get more stressed, and there's going to be a point where the grid can't handle anymore. The first thing we need is to build out transmission." The FERC chief made his remarks during a Chicago energy conference reported on by Bloomberg News. Here's the rub: $6 billion in stimulus funding is budgeted over the next two years to build out the U.S. power transmission network to handle additional loads from renewable energy sources. But an adequate, complete retooling of the grid would actually require much more money – investments of $13 billion a year for the next 10 years, according to Rich Lordan of the Electric Power Research Institute. Others have said the grid must be substantially beefed up by 2011 to avoid electricity shortages that could be caused by the inconsistent flow of power from renewable energy producers.

   Quick Take: Obviously, there's a lot more to this story than we can get into here. But when someone with Wellinghoff's credentials says there's a problem, there's a problem. The FERC chief was an energy law specialist who represented federal agencies, renewable energy developers and others before President Obama appointed him to the FERC earlier this year.

   NJ.com article

   SGN: FERC At-a-Glance

Alaska Legislature Overturns Palin Veto, Votes to Accept Stimulus Energy Funds

In a vote that narrowly squeaked by the state's 75 percent override requirement, the Alaska Legislature voted to accept $28.6 million in federal Recovery Act funds that former Gov. Sarah Palin had initially rejected. Palin first said that she intended to veto a larger amount, roughly a third of the $1 billion designated for Alaska, then backed off later. However, she remained adamant about the $28.6 million, claiming it would require Alaskans to accept unwanted energy efficiency building codes — a position that sparked months of debate. While some legislators agreed with Palin, a large enough majority thought otherwise and voted in this week’s special session to accept the funds. Palin resigned her post in late July, with 18 months remaining in her term.

   Quick Take: The Alaska Legislature made the right decision, even if it was a laborious and time-consuming process. We agree with Alaska Senate Resources Committee Chair Bill Wielechowski (D-Anchorage) who said the only "strings" attached to the money are those of "responsibility and accountability."

   Juneau Empire article

$20M in Recovery Act Money Going for Energy Improvements in Federal Buildings

The $20 million in stimulus funds announced this week will provide "high-end" technical assistance to 15 federal agencies for cutting-edge energy efficiency technologies. DOE's Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) is offering the technical expertise of DOE's National Laboratories in projects such as greenhouse gas reductions, cool roofs, Smart Grids, renewable energy, sustainable buildings, and energy and water retrofits. Click the link below for more information on the agencies to receive assistance and project specifics.