FERC, NERC open inquiry into winter load event that stressed Midwest grids

Utility Dive: FERC and NERC routinely review load events that stress regional grids, like the 2014 Polar Vortex, to improve market rules and emergency procedures.

This review, however, could take on special significance due to FERC's open proceeding on grid resilience and the looming specter of a coal and nuclear plant bailout from the Trump White House.

A central argument from coal and nuclear interests to keep plants online is that they respond better in times of grid stress — like extreme cold — than natural gas generators, which can see fuel supplies interrupted.

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