Reply #72: Let's cut the crap [View All]

[badtoworse]

I've spent most of my career in the electric power business (28 years). I've developed power plants, both conventional plants and renewable plants; I've managed power plants; and I've constructed them. I've dealt with system operators, government regulators, investors and offtakers. Right now, I'm advising a group of investors anxious to invest money in the US power sector. I know what's bullshit about the industry and what isn't. Speaking of bullshit, I see lots of it posted about the power business on DU by people who obviously don't know a damn thing about it. I get pretty upset when I read it, so please excuse me if I seem pissed - I am.

The fact that you're not familiar with NERC speaks loudly about your knowledge of the industry. If you're really interested in learning about how about how our electric system works, do a little research about NERC, what it does and what it takes to keep the lights on. I doubt you have a clue how complex the business is on both a technical and commercial level. If you develop a basic understanding of what's involved, I think you'd be amazed it's as reliable as it is.

NERC was given responsibility to weaken regulation? That's laughable. Prior to 2007, there were no federally enforced reliability standards. It was done regionally and at the state level, but the 2003 blackout proved that was insufficient. following the blackout, NERC was legally empowered to develop and enforce uniform reliability standards across the entire country. NERC also has authority in parts of Canada. Why was NERC chosen? It was created in 1968 by the power industry itself to improve reliability. By 2007, it had nearly 30 years experience in system reliability area and was recognized by the federal government as being the best qualified group to have the legal power it was given.

Oh, about blather, it is a pajorative, not appropriate to describe informed opinion. Your opinion is an informed one because...