MISO 101 with Mike Schowalter

05/24/22 • 81 min

When we hear about the electric grid, it’s common to think of our local electric utility. They’re the ones we pay for our electric service after all, and it’s our utility’s trucks that we see repairing downed electricity lines. But, as explained in our “What’s up with the grid?” blog, the grid is much bigger than any single utility. It is instead a web of utilities, each interconnected with each other in a giant electric transmission and distribution system that covers the entire nation. In our region, an entity called MISO, or the Midcontinent Independent System Operator, holds the role of managing or operating our portion of that transmission and distribution system—our portion of the grid.

But what exactly is MISO? How and why was it created? Who has a say in its decision-making processes? And how is Fresh Energy involved? Sit down with Fresh Energy’s Mike Schowalter for answers to these questions and more!

Links referenced and additional resources:

Read our MISO explainer blog post for additional context on MISO.
Curious about Locational Marginal Pricing (LMP)? Check out this map showing real-time prices.
For more context on long-range transmission planning (LRTP), reference this blog post explaining the process.
An example of LRTP is the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (FERC) recent approval of the big tariff change Mike discusses in this episode. Read more about it. The MISO Board of Directors is slated to approve this first set of projects in July, after which state Public Utilities Commissions (PUCs) will likely kick off their own approval processes.
Get a visual on the coal plants in and serving Minnesota that have retired or have retirement dates. Fresh Energy is using data-based research and policy to set as-soon-as-possible closure dates for coal plants that meet the urgent challenge of our climate crisis while ensuring that utilities, workers, and communities have the time and resources necessary to plan a successful transition. Read more at coalcountdown.org.

Fresh Energy’s mission is to shape and drive bold policy solutions to achieve equitable carbon-neutral economies. Together we are working toward a vision of a just, prosperous, and resilient future powered by a shared commitment to a carbon-neutral economy. Learn about Fresh Energy's work and our bold "Vision 2030: Fresh Energy's Strategic Framework" at our website fresh-energy.org.
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Links referenced and additional resources:

Read our MISO explainer blog post for additional context on MISO.
Curious about Locational Marginal Pricing (LMP)? Check out this map showing real-time prices.
For more context on long-range transmission planning (LRTP), reference this blog post explaining the process.
An example of LRTP is the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (FERC) recent approval of the big tariff change Mike discusses in this episode. Read more about it. The MISO Board of Directors is slated to approve this first set of projects in July, after which state Public Utilities Commissions (PUCs) will likely kick off their own approval processes.
Get a visual on the coal plants in and serving Minnesota that have retired or have retirement dates. Fresh Energy is using data-based research and policy to set as-soon-as-possible closure dates for coal plants that meet the urgent challenge of our climate crisis while ensuring that utilities, workers, and communities have the time and resources necessary to plan a successful transition. Read more at coalcountdown.org.

Previous Episode

What does Minnesota Power’s long-range plan mean for equity and public health?

The investments utilities make in energy infrastructure, including coal and gas plants, have significant impacts on public health, environmental justice, equity, and more. Minnesota’s leaders, policymakers, community advocates, and all who live here should have the opportunity to understand these impacts. Additionally, both utilities and regulators should consider these impacts in long-range utility planning. Together, Fresh Energy, Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy (MCEA), Minnesota Interfaith Power & Light, Sierra Club, Union of Concerned Scientists, and researchers from PSE Healthy Energy sat down to talk about it!

This webinar dug into a recent study that delves into the equity and health impacts of Minnesota Power’s long-range plan, also known as an Integrated Resource Plan. PSE’s research revealed some significant findings about air pollution and negative health impacts from the utility’s coal and biomass plants that disproportionately impact under-resourced and Native communities.

Presenters and Panelists

Kelsey Bilsback, PhD | she/her | PSE Healthy Energy
Barbara Freese | Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy (MCEA)
James Gignac | he/him | Union of Concerned Scientists
Bret Pence | he/him | Minnesota Interfaith Power & Light
Isabel Ricker | she/her | Fresh Energy
Jenna Yeakle | she/her | Sierra Club
Moderator: Jo Olson | she/her | Fresh Energy

Additional resources:

YouTube recording.
Want to better understand Integrated Resource Planning? Check out our explainer blog post.
Learn more about what Clean Grid Alliance, MCEA, Sierra Club, and Fresh Energy filed as comments at the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission in the Minnesota Power IRP docket.
View the full health impacts report from PSE.

Next Episode

Energy + Democracy: Part 1 of Fresh Energy's 2022 Summer Webinar Series

Energy and climate issues play out across our society—in books and film, institutions of higher learning, our democracy, and in the very air we breathe.

Once again this July, Thursdays are Fresh Energy summer webinar series days! Register here to join Fresh Energy and special guests for four fun and engaging discussions about the many facets of energy in our lives—or listen to the recordings here on our podcast!
Today's webinar features voting rights and civic engagement as two of the most pressing issues of our time. How does community engagement intersect with action on climate and justice?
Join Fresh Energy's Justin Fay and special guests U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar, Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon, Carolina Ortiz of COPAL, Dr. Gabe Chan of the Humphrey School of Public Affairs, and Dominic McQuerry of The McKnight Foundation to discuss this and more.
Meet the Panelists:
Carolina Ortiz | she/her | COPAL
Carolina Ortiz has been with COPAL since it’s founding in 2018. She led the communications team for two years and is now the associate executive director. Carolina was born in Zacatecas, Mexico and is currently studying communications and women’s studies in Minnesota. A DREAMer herself, her passion for social justice stems from her own experiences and those of her community.

Gabe Chan | Humphrey School of Public Affairs, University of Minnesota
Gabe Chan is an associate professor at the University of Minnesota’s Humphrey School of Public Affairs in the Science, Technology, and Environmental Policy (STEP) area. Gabe’s research examines policies to stimulate innovation in energy technologies and mitigate global climate change in the United States, China, and internationally. Gabe’s research also blends economic methods and theory with a broader set of social science and technical knowledge.

Dominic McQuerry | McKnight Foundation
As a program officer with the Vibrant & Equitable Communities and Midwest Climate & Energy programs, Dominic McQuerry oversees and develops innovative grant portfolios at the intersection of McKnight’s climate and equity goals with an emphasis on strengthening democratic participation and civic engagement. McQuerry is a policy and community engagement professional with a passion for supporting people’s lives and livelihoods, guiding and supporting powerful coalitions in Minnesota on housing, healthcare, child care, and more.

This webinar was recorded on July 7, 2022, and made possible by Great River Energy (Gold Sponsor) and Sunrun (Bronze Sponsor). You can view a video of the webinar here.

Thank you to our event's Promotional Partners:
CERTs
Citizen’s Utility Board of Minnesota
Climate Generation