WASHINGTON (November 1, 2018)—PJM, the grid operator that serves 13 states and DC, conducted a study to determine if there is an immediate threat to electricity reliability due to uncertain fuel supply. As you remember, the administration claimed that retirements of “fuel-secure” power plants (understood to be coal and nuclear power) create catastrophic risks on the grid.
The PJM study released today found fuel supply may be an issue during extreme circumstances in the future, but it can be solved through market solutions. PJM has made statements in opposition to a coal and nuclear power mandate the administration is expected to order soon under the guise of national security and now has an extensive study to support its stance.
Below is a statement by Mike Jacobs, Senior Energy Analyst, Union of Concerned Scientists.
“PJM took 320 scenarios to stress test the ability to handle extreme cold. They found a large amount of retirements in coming years are not a threat because the electric system is built as a network for reliability, and reserve margins are kept year after year to ensure reliability."