Commissioner Richard Glick Dissent Regarding New York Independent System Operator, Inc. (ER20-1718-001) | Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

"The Commission’s approach is both deeply misguided and will ultimately doom NYISO’s current capacity market construct by forcing New York to choose between the Commission’s constant meddling and the state’s commitment to addressing the existential threat posed by climate change."

Richard, it's Richard Glick who is deeply misguided if he believes NYISO's approval of shutting down Indian Point Energy Center reflects a "commitment to addressing the existential threat posed by climate change." Instead, it represents a commitment by Governor Cuomo to enriching state gas and renewables interests at the expense of environmental health - nothing more, nothing less.

But why is Glick making statements like this anyway? He has no business meddling in New York environmental policy. In fact, he's specifically prohibited from doing so by FERC rulings from over a decade ago. In 2007 the commission recognized each state has unique priorities with respect to environmental policy, and ruled it should - and would - be entirely under state purview.

Meanwhile, AOCE proponents attempt an end-around by proposing to

"...clear the market based on resources needed for essential reliability services after acquiring green resources needed for State energy policies and Green buyer needs..."

Put green buyers' needs before system reliability? I don't think so. Because their needs aren't rooted in science as much as astrology, green buyers might have to find inner peace and tranquility from eating more oat bran, rather than wasting public money on wind turbines and solar panels.

Indian Point is the best of both worlds: reliable power and no carbon emissions. Both unreliable, and 100% dependent on gas backup power, renewables are the best of neither. Renewables policy is designed to win feelgood votes from feelgood voters while shooting legitimate efforts to address climate change in the foot.

Here on the Left Coast, pro-renewables influence is so ensconced in state legislature that Californians for Green Nuclear Power, Mothers for Nuclear, and other groups opposing the shutdown of Diablo Canyon Power Plant are now turning to FERC for help in keeping the plant open - on reliability / antitrust issues. With hot weather draining California's reservoirs of available gas, and daily blackouts, the timing couldn't be better.