Advanced energy groups call for transparency in DOE grid reliability study

Three wind, solar and advanced energy groups recently sent a letter to Secretary of Energy Rick Perry calling for opportunities for public input and transparency in a recently ordered Department of Energy (DOE) study of the reliability of the electric grid.

In the letter, the Advanced Energy Economy (AEE), the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA),
and the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) welcomed the study, but said that wind and solar do
not pose threats to electric grid reliability and have not been a major cause of the decline in coal-fired generation and nuclear power.

“Furthermore, we note that policies supporting the deployment of these technologies are not playing an important role in the decline of coal and nuclear plants,” the letter said. “Numerous studies have conclusively demonstrated that low natural gas prices and stagnant load growth are the principal factors behind the retirements in coal and nuclear plants.”

The industry groups stressed the importance of allowing public comment from market participants, grid operators, regulators and the general public on a draft of the report, which the letter said is a “customary” practice.

In his memo to DOE officials, Perry directed them to report back on the study in 60 days from April 19.