California Directive Heightens Debate Over Grid Reliability, Gas Plants

An unusual order by the president of the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) for three major electric investor-owned utilities (IOUs) to immediately seek contracts to purchase additional electricity to ensure sufficient power over the next two summers is heightening debate over whether to approve additional energy from natural gas-fired plants. “I do find it surprising that the order mandates the IOUs to procure resources, including incremental gas and gas that is ‘at risk’ of retirement, with no record supporting a...