Electric Power Suppliers Provide Recommendations to Improve Gas-Electric Coordination
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | July 11, 2023
CONTACT: Christina Nyquist | 603.930.8818 | cnyquist@epsa.org
WASHINGTON, D.C. – As demand for natural gas-fired electricity rises, electric power suppliers say key actions to improve coordination between the gas and electric sectors will help resolve both emerging and longstanding challenges and help ensure reliable service. The Electric Power Supply Association (EPSA) provided guidance Monday to the North American Energy Standards Board (NAESB) in response to recommendations proposed June 9 by the Chairs of the group’s Gas Electric Harmonization forum, which draws together industry leaders and experts to identify and implement gas-electric coordination enhancements.
EPSA emphasized that demand for both electricity and natural gas, and the interdependence between the two sectors, is expected to rise, particularly during periods of extreme weather and other critical periods. Market-based solutions will provide the best foundation to signal additional developments or reforms that can address emerging concerns impacting electric reliability, the group said.
EPSA President and CEO Todd Snitchler issued the following statement.
“Natural gas has been and will continue to be the critical fuel to power reliable electric generation that can be accessed on a 24/7 basis and support a decarbonized economy and growing amounts of intermittent renewable resources. Increased electrification of the economy, from transportation to home appliances to commercial buildings to industry, will only further drive demand for electric power, along with changing weather patterns and periods of extreme heat and cold that have stressed the grid in recent years.
Resolving the pain points that have emerged between the gas and electric sectors as they have moved much closer together in securing supply and accessing delivery infrastructure has been and will only grow more essential to meet our nation’s power needs. EPSA and our members have been deeply engaged in ongoing efforts to address gas-electric coordination, improve reliability, and help ensure that consumers and our critical services have access to cost-effective, reliable power at all times. We are optimistic that improvements will be made and hope our recommendations will provide constructive insight to develop durable solutions to this urgent issue.”
EPSA represents competitive power suppliers providing about 150,000 MW of power generation capacity from all types of resources.
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The Electric Power Supply Association (EPSA) is the national trade association representing America’s competitive power suppliers. EPSA members provide about 150,000 MW of reliable and competitively priced electricity from environmentally responsible facilities using a diverse mix of fuels and technologies including natural gas, wind, solar, hydropower, geothermal, storage, biomass, and coal. EPSA seeks to bring the benefits of competition to all power customers. Learn more at www.epsa.org and connect with us on LinkedIn and Twitter @EPSAnews.
