In an in-depth and informative analysis on the Department of Energy’s recently released Staff Report to the Secretary on Electricity Markets and Reliability, Husch Blackwell regulatory attorneys Linda Walsh and Sylvia Bartell examine the department’s stated goal of considering past and current trends in the electric industry in an effort to “exercise foresight to help ensure a system that is reliable, resilient, and affordable long into the future.”
Linda’s and Sylvia’s conclusion? While the report explores the directed topics identified by Secretary Perry, it does little to build on ongoing regulatory efforts at FERC. Further, it focuses on more short-term pursuits that are economically and environmentally questionable, while at the same time missing opportunities that would modernize the bulk electric power system for the longer term. Read their entire article on Law360.