The regulatory and policy landscapes are evolving rapidly, shaping how electricity is produced and delivered across the nation. The push to decarbonize the electric grid is an important goal, and with the right approach, it can also strengthen our energy future. The challenge lies in ensuring that the pace of change aligns with the need for reliable, always-available power.
A thoughtful national energy strategy can chart a path forward that both reduces emissions and enhances reliability. By balancing innovation with proven resources, we can create a stronger grid for generations to come.
Reports and Regulations
The regulatory and policy landscapes are changing significantly and are having critical impacts on the reliability of electricity. As the push to decarbonize the electric grid – an important goal –continues, it is occurring at a speed that places power availability at serious risk. Developing a national energy strategy around rational and reasonable goals is essential to simultaneously increasing reliability and decreasing emissions.
Federal policies, including rules from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), have a major influence on how electricity is generated in the United States. These regulations are aimed at protecting the environment, but they also have far-reaching effects on which energy resources remain available and affordable.
When rules require the closure or costly retrofitting of existing power plants, reliable sources such as coal, natural gas and even nuclear facilities can be forced offline sooner than anticipated. If those resources are not replaced with equally dependable alternatives, the result can be a less resilient grid and a higher risk of blackouts.
Striking the right balance means maintaining the 24/7 reliability Americans depend on, while also moving toward a more sustainable energy future.
Minnesota has adopted a mandate that requires 100% carbon-free electricity in the state by 2040. The rule, signed into law in 2023, sets an aggressive timeline that creates the potential for electric grid reliability and affordability issues that would be extraordinarily difficult to reverse. Under the mandate, Minnesota utilities will be required to reach the following targets:
The state is currently developing the details of the standard and determining what qualifies as “carbon-free.”
Reports and Regulations
