“The electricity sector is the key to reducing carbon emissions and meeting our environmental challenges. This road map—a first-of-its-kind for any U.S. region—is premised on the idea that decarbonization is a destination we will need to reach," said Franz Litz of the Great Plains Institute, which convenes and staffs the MPSC. “The goal is to provide utilities, policy makers, and stakeholders with a better sense of what will be needed to inform sound near-term decisions that position the region to meet the challenges ahead.”
The report reaches a number of key conclusions. The analyses conducted by the MPSC demonstrate that substantial decarbonization of the region's electricity sector is achievable with current technologies when making reasonable assumptions about progress in the coming decades. But decarbonization is not likely to happen on its own without concerted action by utilities and new policies. To get there, the region will ultimately need a combination of very-low and zero-carbon resources, such as wind, solar, nuclear power, and natural gas with carbon capture.
"At a time of great change in the electricity sector, utility planners and state regulators can position this region to both meet the challenges of decarbonization and leverage opportunities that come with a diverse group thinking ahead,” said Rolf Nordstrom, president and CEO of the Great Plains Institute. “My hat’s off to Collaborative participants for shaping a pragmatic road map that can guide leaders as they navigate and shape a changing sector. GPI is honored to be a partner in this important work!”
The report outlines key findings, questions, and principles for policy makers and regulators in the Midcontinent. The MPSC also makes recommendations relating to energy efficiency, renewables, carbon capture, energy storage, and nuclear power, among other topics. Lastly, the MPSC focused on a mix between flexible, market-based policies to find the lowest cost solutions, coupled with targeted incentives to spur research, development, and deployment of key low- or zero-carbon technologies.
For information: Decarbonization Road Map
