PUC Releases Summer Readiness Reports From Electric Utilities - Adequate Capacity And Supply To Meet Summer Energy Needs

On June 12, the Public Utility Commission published the 2023 Summer Readiness Overview reports from the state’s electric distribution companies (EDCs) and the region’s electric transmission organization PJM Interconnection.  

The EDCs and PJM report that there is adequate capacity and supply to meet the electric energy needs of Pennsylvania and the region this summer. 

Utilities and the region’s power grid operator indicate they are prepared for summer demands – noting that forecasts indicate summer temperatures will likely be above average, including warmer-than-normal overnight temperatures, which can impact air conditioner usage and other electric demands.

The reports address the following: reliability enhancement programs; preventive maintenance programs; capacity planning; storm updates and lessons learned from past seasons; summer readiness; and storm response.

The reports provide details about the companies’ preparations and plans for various conditions – such as severe storms, high temperatures and peak demands for electricity.  They also provide insights into other steps utilities are taking to help ensure reliable service to Pennsylvania residents and businesses.

Copies of Reports

The Summer Readiness Reports are available from the following EDCs--

-- Citizens' Electric Company

-- Duquesne Light Company

-- Metropolitan Edison Company (Met-Ed)

-- PECO Energy Company

-- Pennsylvania Electric Company (Penelec)

-- Pennsylvania Power Company (Penn Power)

-- Pike County Light & Power

-- PPL Electric Utilities

-- UGI Utilities Inc. (UGI Electric Division)

-- Wellsboro Electric Company

-- West Penn Power Company

And from--

-- PJM Interconnection

Visit the PUC’s Electric Utility Reliability webpage for more information.

NewsClips:

-- Utility Dive: Power Plants Remain Vulnerable To Outages In Extreme Cold, Despite Warnings, FERC, NERC Find

-- Utility Dive: PJM Interconnect’s Electric Power Capacity Market Is Sound, But Changes Needed To Adapt To Evolving Grid Mix, Extreme Weather: FERC Panelists

-- Utility Dive: FERC Approves PJM Electricity Capacity Auction Delays To Incorporate Potential Market Reforms

-- PA Business Report: PECO Prepares Electric, Natural Gas Delivery Systems For Year-Round Weather Resiliency

-- PA Capital-Star: As Temps Rise, Advocates Call On PA To Dial Up Aid For Cooling Costs

-- Observer-Reporter Editorial: The Struggle Between [Electric] Power And Money

Related Articles:

-- PJM Interconnection: Summer Electricity Supplies Should Be Sufficient Under Anticipated Conditions; Higher Than Expected Generator Outages, Extreme Scenarios Could Bring Risk To Reserve Margins  [PaEN]

-- PJM Interconnection Issued Hot Weather Alert For Entire Footprint For June 2  [PaEN]

-- PUC Alerts Consumers To Electricity Price Changes Coming June 1-- From 20.7% Increase To 17% Decrease; Driven By Price Of Natural Gas  [PaEN]

-- Senate Hearing: Wholesale Electricity Prices Too Low To Support Coal, Natural Gas Power Plants In Market; Natural Gas Reliability Issues Will Continue   [PaEN]

-- Senate Hearing On Electric Grid Reliability: Natural Gas Continues To Have Reliability Problems; Renewables Aren’t Coming Online Fast Enough; Energy Office To Be Proposed   [PaEN]

-- PJM This Week Sends Penalty Assessments Of Up To $2 Billion To Electric Generators That Failed To Perform During December’s Winter Storm Elliot; Natural Gas Power Plants Had 63% Of Outages   [PaEN]

Related Articles This Week:

-- S&P Global: Federal Inquiry Finds Same 3 Causes Driving U.S. Generate Outages In Extreme Cold - Reliability Of Natural Gas System Remains A Concern  [PaEN]    

-- PUC Vice Chairman: During Winter Storm Elliot We Learned Natural Gas Can Be An Intermittent Generator Of Electricity Just Like Renewables  [PaEN]

[Posted: June 12, 2023]  PA Environment Digest