PJM, ISO-NE: Gas pipeline opposition could put power reliability at risk
Local opposition to natural gas pipelines has steadily increased, seen in the protests over Duke Energy’s proposed Atlantic Coast Pipeline Project. In Massachusetts’ case, the opposition made its way up to the the court, which prohibited utilities from charging customers to recoup costs for pipeline construction. And Connecticut’s environmental agency just canceled its request for proposals for new gas projects in a bid to boost carbon-free energy resources.
Now some power sector officials say such opposition will hurt reliability in a region already struggling to build enough pipeline capacity to meet demand. PJM and New England expect to meet demand this winter, but their forecasts to federal regulators each focused on the need for new pipeline capacity—as well as the difficulty in getting it built.
New England ISO Vice President of Operations Peter Brandien told FERC in testimony that In the event of a cold snap the grid has adequate generating capacity, “but our ability to meet electric energy needs is at risk if the natural gas infrastructure serving the region is unable to supply fuel to gas-fired generators.”
