FERC Winter 2017-18 Energy Market Assessment

A recent report by U.S. energy regulators notes that newly built natural gas-fired and renewable power plants are replacing retiring coal and nuclear power plants, which can require grid operators to take extra steps to ensure electric system reliability.

On October 19, 2017, enforcement staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission delivered their Winter 2017-18 Energy Market Assessment.  According to that report, recent years have seen natural gas-fired plant additions in several parts of the country, replacing retirements of coal and nuclear capacity.  Meanwhile, most recent capacity additions have been natural gas-fired or renewable.



FERC enforcement staff also noted that these changes to the portfolio of generating resources making up the capacity mix can affect fuel diversity and system reliability.