The nation’s power grid watchdog is scrambling to help California address “serious” electric reliability concerns that could result in blackouts if not addressed soon.
The chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission said late Wednesday that it is working with the Golden State’s grid operator, which the federal agency oversees, to address the closure of the Aliso Canyon natural gas storage facility near Los Angeles, which contains the energy supplies the state needs to keep the grid running in the summer, when demand for electricity rises.
“Substantial efforts have been made by [the California system operator, CAISO], California regulators and the energy companies to enhance planning and preparation, communication and coordination, and situational awareness,” said Norman Bay, chairman of the five-member commission.
“That being said, the situation remains a serious one, and we will continue to monitor Aliso Canyon very carefully,” Bay added, saying “we are ready to provide whatever assistance we can, as needed or appropriate.”
California energy officials raised alarm bells about the possibility of blackouts earlier this year when a major leak at the Aliso facility focused national scrutiny, forcing the state to close the facility after the leak was capped.
Bay said California is a bellwether for the rest of the nation as the U.S. moves away from coal and embraces natural gas as the dominant fuel for producing electricity.
The situation “highlights the connection between the gas and electric industries and how their operations affect consumers,” Bay said. “It also points out the need for infrastructure as gas becomes the marginal fuel for power generation in many markets. We need to ensure the gas is there in order to maintain reliability.”
The facility has been closed since February and is not expected to be open through the summer as the state conducts a safety investigation.
The facility is a major source of natural gas that utilities rely on to meet increased electricity demand during the hot summer.
“The facility serves gas-fired generators in the Los Angeles Basin and San Diego,” the commission noted Wednesday. “Its limited operations are likely to stress the region’s gas system this summer, when Southern California needs those generators to serve both peak loads and changes in load due to the variable nature of renewable generation.”
Without the facility, the federal commission and the California system operator will have to see what alternative electric supplies can be diverted to make sure parts of California don’t go dark.
The commission on Wednesday approved the California system operator’s proposed plan to meet the challenges.
The commission also will hold a technical conference following implementation of the California grid plan to discuss its effectiveness “and the need for additional and/or longer-term measures.”
