Dive Brief:

• The Midwest could be hit the hardest when new federal Clean Air Act rules take effect in 2016, according to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).
• The Midcontinent Independent System Operator expects a shortfall in reserves when the rules take effect, FERC Commissioner Philip Moeller told a House subcommittee.

Dive Insight:

“Think about rolling blackouts the summer before a presidential election, it kind of shifts the national discussion,” Moeller said.

Because of coal plant retirements, MISO expects its reserve margin for its northern footprint to fall to around 7%, well below the 14.8% minimum margin it wants to maintain. Even so, it seems unlikely that there would be rolling blackouts in the Midwest because of the new emissions standards. Utilities, generators and regulators have had several years to plan for the new standards form the Environmental Protection Agency.