Final CLG meeting of 2022 features Coordinating Committee election, remarks from FERC commissioner and ISO-NE board chair

The Consumer Liaison Group (CLG) held its final quarterly meeting of the year on November 30 in Boston.

Featuring a keynote address from Commissioner James Danly of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and a discussion with ISO New England Board of Directors Chair Cheryl LaFleur, the meeting also included the election of members to the CLG Coordinating Committee (CLGCC).  

Danly, a FERC commissioner since 2020, gave an overview of the commission’s authority and responsibilities, and offered observations about potential challenges New England’s bulk power system faces—particularly during long stretches of cold weather, when the demand for natural gas to heat homes and businesses limits the fuel’s availability for electricity generation. He fielded a number of questions from attendees on topics ranging from FERC’s role regarding climate change to the implications of municipal and behind-the-meter renewable energy generation for the grid.

LaFleur highlighted the four pillars the ISO has identified as critical to a successful clean energy transition: significant amounts of clean energy; balancing resources to keep supply and demand in equilibrium; a dependable energy supply chain and/or robust energy reserve to manage through extended periods of severe weather or energy supply constraints; and a robust transmission system to reliably move clean electricity across New England.

Her remarks also included a discussion of the ISO Board’s efforts regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion, as well as the issue of energy adequacy in New England.

In a question-and-answer session, LaFleur addressed topics such as energy efficiency and demand response, natural gas prices, system reliability, and the ISO’s role in addressing climate change.

Anne George, vice president of External Affairs and Corporate Communications, provided the ISO’s regional update. She offered an overview of several recent and upcoming initiatives, including the ISO’s tabletop exercise simulating the region’s ability to anticipate, mitigate, and respond to an energy shortfall event; a webinar on the first phase of the Future Grid Reliability Study; and the ISO’s work with the Electric Power Research Institute to conduct a probabilistic energy security study for New England.

CLG Coordinating Committee election

Members of the CLGCC engage in a number of duties, including the selection of topics and speakers for each CLG meeting. The 12 people elected to serve on the committee for the 2023–2024 term are:

• Elizabeth Mahony, Nathan G. Phillips, and Regine A. Spector of Massachusetts
• Kendra Ford, August Fromuth, and Donald Kreis of New Hampshire
• Bill Dornbos and Ian McDonald of Connecticut
• Sonja K. Birthisel and Andrew Landry of Maine
• Jacob Powsner of Vermont
• Hank Webster of Rhode Island

The CLG is a forum for sharing information between the ISO and New England’s electricity consumers. The group meets quarterly, drawing a diverse group of attendees. Meetings are free and open to the public. The CLG’s 2023 meetings are tentatively scheduled for March 30, June 8, September 21, and December 6.

A recording and a written summary of the November 30 meeting are available online.