Energy Roundup: FERC Chair Expresses Cost Concerns About Agency’s Transmission Plans

Among the energy-related developments the OMA is tracking are the following:

• Weeks after the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) proposed controversial reforms to regulate how transmission lines are paid for and planned, the FERC chairman now says the agency should consider establishing an independent monitor to help oversee the build-out of the power grid and protect consumers.
• The U.S. Department of Energy has announced $3.1 billion in funding to expand domestic production of advanced batteries to help meet the Biden administration’s goal of having electric vehicles comprise half of all U.S. vehicle sales by 2030.
• Despite calls to phase out the use of coal, this infographic shows coal-fired electricity generation reached all-time highs globally last year, with China comprising 54% of the world’s coal electricity generation.

Meanwhile, the Energy Information Administration reports that the Appalachia region — which includes portions of Ohio — was largely responsible for helping the U.S. reach a monthly record for natural gas production last December. 5/5/2022