Jennifer M. Granholm Secretary, U.S. Department of Energy | Official Website
The Administration has released the second installment of the Quadrennial Energy Review (QER), focusing on national security, environmental protection, and economic development imperatives of the United States' electricity system. This installment proposes over 70 recommendations aimed at enabling the electricity sector to manage 21st-century risks and opportunities through policy changes and research and development investments.
Titled "Transforming the Nation’s Electricity System," this installment provides a comprehensive analysis of the nation's electricity systems, from generation through transmission and distribution to end use by consumers. The report addresses rapid changes in the electricity sector that challenge traditional regulatory frameworks and create complex interdependencies. Increased digitization offers benefits but also introduces severe vulnerabilities to cyber attacks.
Among its 76 recommendations, the QER suggests amending Federal Power Act authorities to clarify that the electricity system is a national security asset, making its protection a federal responsibility. It also calls for confidential information collection to inform emergency actions regarding threats to the electric grid under the FAST Act.
Other key recommendations include adopting integrated electricity security planning on a regional basis through FERC rulemaking, expanding federal programs for distribution-system technologies integration, increasing federal support for state efforts in energy efficiency and demand response, significantly boosting investment in clean electricity R&D, supporting small utilities facing cyber threats, extending tax credits for nuclear power generation, addressing business model inequities in federal incentives, supporting workforce development, and enhancing North American energy cooperation.
The first QER installment was published in April 2015, focusing on energy transmission, storage, and distribution infrastructure. Of its 63 recommendations, 21 have been reflected in Federal law or partially implemented by the Administration. Bipartisan support highlights Congress's shared interest with the Administration in improving national energy infrastructure.
For more information and related analyses, visit energy.gov/QER.
---
