Statement from Third Way Senior Director for Climate and Energy Ryan Fitzpatrick on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's (FERC) New Rules

WASHINGTON—Third Way Senior Director for the Climate and Energy Program Ryan Fitzpatrick issued the following statement on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's (FERC) new rules, including Order No. 1920:

“The orders announced today are the largest update to grid planning in decades. We agree with FERC Chairman Willie Phillips that surging load growth, an evolving resource mix, and more common extreme weather events have left Americans with an “aging grid being pushed to the brink.” We’re pleased to see FERC implement these common-sense, stakeholder-informed reforms that will revitalize our grid and give American communities the critical infrastructure they need and deserve.

“Order No. 1920 builds just and reasonable assumptions into transmission planning. This is a major step forward that will help cut through regulatory red tape, maintain long-term reliability of the system, and take advantage of opportunities to limit costs for consumers.

“Our grid can cope with short-term strain. But to ensure lasting reliability and affordability, we need diligent long-term planning and cost allocation rules. Today’s FERC orders are a turning point that will put America’s power system on that path to success.”