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National power grid system study: an overview of economics, regulatory, and engineering aspects. A study prepared by the Congressional Research Service at the request of Lee Metcalf, Chairman, Subcommittee on Minerals, Materials, and Fuels of the Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs, United States Senate

Book ·
OSTI ID:7193765
A study of the technical, economic, and environmental aspects of a national power grid indicates that a national network could reduce the average residential bill no more than 3%, would reduce national generating capacity reserves, and might affect reliability standards. Most of the U.S. and parts of Canada and Mexico are served by three separate power networks, which have no plans to interconnect in the near future. These networks have evolved through interconnections of local and regional utilities, while a few independent utilities remain. At the present, there seems to be no economic justification to accelerate this evolutionary process. To do so now would require some technological developments, an expanded Federal role, and regulatory changes to require participation, set rates, allocate funds, and determine a level of self-regulation. (DCK)
Research Organization:
Library of Congress, Congressional Research Service, Washington, DC
OSTI ID:
7193765
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English