If the Lights Go Out

Wall Street Journal/Opinion ^ | December 6,2011

[Hojczyk]

Say what you will about Obama Administration regulators, their problem has rarely been a failure to regulate. Which makes the abdication of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission especially notable—and dangerous for the U.S. power supply.

Keep in mind that the EPA estimates that the benefits to society from the mercury reductions in the utility rule max out at $6.1 million, total, while imposing $11 billion in compliance costs annually. That is a crazy tradeoff even if it didn't endanger the electric grid.

The best option would be to kill the utility rule and put the EPA on probation, but second best is a longer phase-in to give utilities more time to comply. FERC could do some practical good by formally issuing a "215 finding" that the EPA utility rule endangers reliability. Or the White House budget and regulatory office could require the EPA to repropose the rule with more flexibility. Or President Obama could declare that the rule endangers national security. Or Congress could block the rule, though that would take more fortitude than Senate Democrats have shown so far.

None of this is likely to happen because it would interfere with the larger Administration priority to kill as much coal power as rapidly as possible to serve the global warming agenda. But when the brownouts and cost-spikes occur, don't blame the utilities. Blame their regulator.

[InterceptPoint]

2013 cannot come soon enough.

[no-to-illegals]

If America is refused the ability to utilize her resources to keep the lights on, the American people will know from whence it came (well most will who have any common sense left). The preparation for such an event may or may not be lacking on the part of those who keep the lights on, based upon what the regulators have allowed and what legislation has been enacted which has prevented power production. The electrical grid is a complex matter best left to those who produce the electricity through allowing but rather forcing the legislation and mandates as ordered has placed a tremendous burden on those trying to keep the lights on. Another group of bureaucrats who think they know better when they do not and throw monkey wrenches at the generators to do exactly the opposite of what should be intended. It is currently commonplace. Agreement with the author. Thanks for posting this.

[steveab]

“....that is, rationing power to large industrial consumers. American Electric Power, which operates in 11 Midwest states, says that option may be a “last resort” as well. This is the kind of political overhang that harms economic growth.”

Rationing power to large industries: State and Federal Governments are large user of Power. I can see the lights going out in DC.

[Dudoight]

I they are so worried about mercury from burning coal....please tell me why we are required to buy mercury laden lightbulbs? And if one of those bulbs break in our home we have to don a hazmat suit to dispose of it? And what will the trash dumpsites be like as to mercury run off in 20-30 years?

Insanity.

[no-to-illegals]

The trash landfills are required to be lined to prevent leakage. Though it will not work to prevent eventual leakage it will slow the effects over time. You are correct it is insanity, for even if the mercury which will accumulate can be re-mined to utilize once more the ever growing likelihood of leakage and contamination cannot be contained forever. Forever is too long. The three sinks ... earth, water, air, and the fact that nothing can be created nor destroyed in actual nature prevents rather than invents. Such is our folly of containment, of elements, which do actual harm. Kind of like a win, lose, lose, lose proposition.

[reformedliberal]

They will blame the industries and nationalize the entire energy sector. This will be sold as a choice between no power at all and rationed power w/rolling brownouts to everyone.

Those industries that pay to play will be held to the Green energy requirements and will receive subsidies and waivers, as applicable.

Stroke of the pen....