Utility Dive Quotes Seth Hilton on Measures CPUC Can Take to Avoid 2021 Blackouts in Calif.

Energy development partner Seth Hilton was quoted in Utility Dive in an article titled “California regulators race to implement demand response, other measures to avert 2021 blackouts,” published November 16, 2020. The article discusses steps the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) intends to take to lessen the likelihood of a repeat of the rolling blackouts in California this summer.

In the aftermath of the blackouts initiated by the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) in August 2020, which affected hundreds of thousands of customers, CPUC voted on opening a rulemaking to make temporary changes to its demand response, resource adequacy and other processes — all intended to increase the supply of energy and reduce demand next summer.

Hilton notes that though there is some “low-hanging fruit” that CPUC might look at to meet energy needs, the reality is that what California needs next summer is more capacity quickly. “Nibbling around the margins of other issues isn’t going to solve that problem,” he said.