Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Chair Willie Phillips urged his colleagues Thursday to back a long-awaited rule that would change how major power lines that crisscross the U.S. are developed.
Phillips’ call to finalize a landmark grid regulation next month followed FERC’s approval of three natural gas projects over dissents from Commissioner Allison Clements, who said the agency can and should account for the effects of greenhouse gas emissions when reviewing energy projects.
FERC also heard an update on how the power grid held up during winter storms earlier this year. But Phillips told reporters Thursday that finalizing a transmission planning and cost allocation rule is the clearest way to address the country’s aging grid, saying surging demand for electricity means “our grid cannot wait.”
“I urge all my colleagues to support this rule,” Phillips said.
