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The National Association of State Energy Officials (“NASEO”) published a report titled:
Managing the Grid: A Deep Dive into the United States Electric Transmission System for State Energy Offices (“Report”).
The Report is authored by Frank Felder, Independent Consultant, with support from Catherine Reed, Marion Gold, and Camille Norton of NASEO.
NASEO describes itself as:
…the only national non-profit association for the governor-designated energy officials from each of the 56 states and territories.
The Report states by way of introduction that state and territory energy offices:
…play a crucial and expanding role in transmission planning, which is essential for a reliable, affordable, and sustainable electric power sector.
Further, by way of introduction, the Report notes:
- There are many reasons to expand the United States transmission system.
- Planning and siting transmission facilities remains challenging.
- Both federal and state governments have distinct and, in some areas, overlapping responsibilities.
- State Energy Offices provide vital energy and policy expertise.
- To perform transmission planning support functions, State Energy Offices must:
- Understand how the transmission system works.
- Understand how the transmission system fits into the electricity system and markets.
Therefore, the stated purpose of the Report is to provide an overview of the transmission system for State Energy Offices and identify additional resources they may want to consider to enhance their expertise.
The Report includes the following parts:
- Section I provides an introduction into the topic.
- Section II describes the key engineering and economic characteristics of the electric power grid, transmission’s role, generation mix, and costs.
- Section III discusses the federal legal, policy, and regulatory contexts.
- Section IV highlights the need for transmission investment, federal and state transmission planning processes, and non-transmission alternatives.
- Section V details transmission and related electricity market issues by region and their implications for states; and Section VI provides a conclusion.
A copy of the Report can be downloaded here.
