BOSTON (AP) — The head of New England’s power grid manager is warning that the region’s growing dependence on natural gas, combined with supply constraints, is threatening reliable electricity delivery.
Gordon van Welie of ISO New England testified in Washington D.C. on Tuesday before a House subcommittee that “the status quo is unsustainable.”
Van Welie said the region gets more than half its power from natural gas, a shift over the last decade from a reliance on a more diverse mix, including coal and oil.
But he said the shift is straining the existing pipeline infrastructure. He said when demand was particularly high this winter, it was difficult to ensure there was sufficient fuel.
Van Welie said more pipelines and storage is needed. He also said the ISO is strengthening market incentives to ensure adequate fuel supply.
Sounds like if we are serious about going away from oil and coal, then we still have work to due in terms of converting over to gas.
Gee, why can’t we use what the sun offers us? Oh yeah, greed.
And because people like you don’t understand that it takes more energy to manufacture a solar panel than the panel will deliver through its entire use. Frigging liberal sheep. Solar power is about grant money, not clean energy. Yes, someday technology will evolve to a point where solar makes sense. Today is not that day.
Jeff,
You might want to do a bit more research before leaving a insulting comment that clearly shows your ignorance and you embarrass yourself again.
I have done the research. It takes 2 to four years for a modern panel to produce enough energy to pay for itself. The cost only includes, the raw cost of a single production. This does not consider research or the cost of installation or land use. With all things considered, there is no net gain.
We are being setup for massive gas price increases in the near future over an insufficient supply line.
“Liberal Sheep.” Isn’t that an oxymoron?
@ Jeff so 2-4 years ROI seem pretty damn good to me! Factor in the fact that the panels will produce energy upwards of 25 years!!! Labor and land rent is a wash considering the supply and demand problems of natural gas this article is talking about. We all know what’s coming next increased rates!
Ok your right and I’m wrong. Enjoy the brown outs.