High Costs, Low Reliability Imperil US Grid, Regulator Warns
- Power shortages are likely as US transitions to renewables
- Americans can expect to face more power crises for years
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The sweeping push to replace fossil fuel plants with clean energy is forcing US power grids to the brink of a twin crisis, making electricity unaffordable while raising the specter of more frequent blackouts, a member of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission said.
Nuclear, natural gas and coal generators are shutting down “at an unsafe pace” to keep up with the transition to wind and solar, said Mark Christie, one of two Republicans on the five-member commission. As soon as this winter, New England could see the highest increases in utility bills and the potential for electricity shortfalls, he said.