FERC approves Major Milestone for Western Grid Integration
WASHINGTON – Federal regulators yesterday approved a new program that will allow utilities in the western U.S. to share resources more efficiently. The new Extended Day-Ahead Market (EDAM) allows utilities to buy and sell electricity for the following day, helping grid operators balance supply and demand. The program was largely approved by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) December 20, 2023 and will be operated by the California Independent System Operator (CAISO).
Following is a reaction from Kelsie Gomanie, advocate for the Sustainable FERC Project at NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council.)
“EDAM will fortify the power grid against the impacts of climate change - like extreme heat waves, wildfires, and drought - and help keep the lights on by providing the opportunity to more effectively harness the geographic and resource diversity of the region. We need a grid that’s bigger than the weather, and this is a major step in the right direction toward expanding the western grid altogether.”
“Studies show this may provide the region with significant annual cost savings up to $1.2 billion, increased opportunities to integrate more renewable energy resources, more efficient use of the renewables currently available, and enhanced reliability.”
NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) is an international nonprofit environmental organization with more than 3 million members and online activists. Established in 1970, NRDC uses science, policy, law, and people power to confront the climate crisis, protect public health, and safeguard nature. NRDC has offices in New York City, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Bozeman, MT, Beijing and Delhi (an office of NRDC India Pvt. Ltd). Visit us at http://www.nrdc.org andfollow us on Twitter @NRDC.