Understanding RTOs and Electricity Dynamics

On this week’s Power Hour Alex Epstein interviews Meredith Angwin, author of Shorting the Grid, on the precariousness of today’s electric grid.

They discuss:
- Why the so-called competition of today’s electric grid is a myth.
- The strengths and weaknesses of the old regulated monopoly system.
- Why “deregulation” increased costs and regulation.
- How today’s pseudo-competitive RTO (Regional Transmission Organization) works.
- How today’s RTO system devalues reliability.
- How New England’s inability during a cold snap to provide electricity without using massive amounts of oil (and some Russian gas) is a sign of things to come.
- What policies can improve the system.
- What the average person (ratepayer) can do to make a difference.