"Willie Phillips, confirmed Tuesday night to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, is poised to be the tie-breaking vote on two proceedings that will shape the future of the U.S. power grid, electric markets and the clean energy rollout.
He could vote on a market pricing rule benefiting nuclear and renewable generators that took effect in PJM Interconnection, the country’s largest regional grid operator managing the flow of power to 65 million people in the eastern states.
And he’s expected to weigh in on a proposed new wholesale market created by a group of large electric utilities in the Southeast, including Southern Co. and Duke Energy and Tennessee Valley Authority. Opponents say the new market could crowd out independent renewable generators.
FERC deadlocked 2-2 on both proceedings, allowing those proposals to take effect by operation of law. A group of power producers have requested rehearing in the PJM case. And this week, environmental groups requested rehearing in the case of the utilities’ Southeast Energy Exchange Market."
Daniel Moore reports for Bloomberg Environment November 17, 2021.
