ISO-NE lays out multiyear roadmap to advance a reliable clean energy transition at annual open board meeting

The ISO New England Board of Directors held its annual open meeting on Nov. 5. The meeting was held in Boston and the public was invited to attend in-person and virtually to observe the board’s discussions. The agenda included a listening session where the public had an opportunity to provide comments.  

The meeting focused on a range of ISO activities related to system planning, wholesale markets and cybersecurity at the regional level, and also highlighted the organization’s interactions with the states. In this regard, Board Chair Cheryl LaFleur’s opening remarks reiterated the ISO’s commitment to working with the New England states towards their clean energy goals. 

“The work of the ISO will continue, and is as important as ever,” LaFleur said. “As board members, we feel fortunate to be part of that work. We take our responsibilities to the region, and our oversight responsibilities as board members, very seriously.”  

ISO New England President and CEO Gordon van Welie provided an update on New England’s clean energy transition, outlining the ISO’s strategy to support the region’s decarbonization goals and summarizing the findings from the Economic Planning for the Clean Energy Transition study.  

Vamsi Chadalavada, executive vice president and chief operating officer, outlined a multi-year roadmap and the four pillars needed to achieve a reliable clean energy transition.  

The roadmap identifies a number of “Key Future Focus Areas” and related company initiatives, with the understanding that these focus areas may evolve or resolve over time.  

“This roadmap is really our best predictor for our workload, that starts from right now, through the end of this decade,” Chadalavada said. “It’s what we believe is going to position us, not just for this immediate timeframe, but… going into the future.” 

Board members also heard from ISO vice presidents Al McBride and Rudy Pawul on Longer-Term Transmission Planning and cyber security, respectively.  

David Naughton, the ISO’s executive director of Market Monitoring, provided a summary of wholesale electricity market costs and discussed highlights of market operations from the summer. 

Following the presentations, board members heard from the public during a listening session.

The meeting presentations and comments submitted to the board are posted on the Board of Directors webpage. Comments may still be submitted to the Board by emailing legal@iso-ne.com.  

A video recording of the meeting is also available.