Bill Overview
Title: A bill to require the Secretary of Energy to conduct a study and submit a report on national resource adequacy, and for other purposes.
Description: This bill requires the Department of Energy to study the ability to meet aggregate electricity demand using supply- and demand-side resources. The study must address matters including (1) the effects of recent retirements of baseload electric generation on regional electric grids; and (2) uncertainty in future electricity demand trajectories from climate change, decarbonization, and other factors.
Sponsors: Sen. Braun, Mike [R-IN]
Target Audience
Population: All individuals and businesses utilizing electricity
Estimated Size: 331000000
- The bill involves studying electricity demand and supply, which affects all individuals and businesses receiving electricity services.
- Aggregate electricity demand covers all sectors using electricity: residential, commercial, and industrial.
- The study will provide insights into how well electrical resources meet current and future demand.
- Discussions on future electricity demand trajectories involve not just consumers today, but those in future generations.
Reasoning
- The policy targets the electricity sector and its stakeholders, impacting not only direct consumers but also businesses that rely heavily on electricity usage.
- Different individuals in the population contribute various perspectives on how electricity stability and policy impact their daily lives based on their location, age, occupation, etc.
- People living in areas where electricity grid reliability is already an issue might perceive this study differently compared to those in areas with more robust systems.
- Understanding the wellbeing of individuals before and after policy implementation helps assess whether the policy addresses potential anxieties about future electricity reliability.
- Considering the budget constraints, awareness of the study rather than direct intervention into electricity systems is the main focus, impacting how people perceive benefits.
Simulated Interviews
Renewable Energy Consultant (California)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm optimistic about the potential outcomes of this study, as it could provide vital information on integrating renewables more effectively.
- I hope it emphasizes sustainable practices and pushes for more investment in renewable technology.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Electrical Engineer (Texas)
Age: 33 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Electricity reliability is a major concern, especially during the summer months here.
- While the study is great, I hope it leads to actionable improvements in grid management.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
Retired (Vermont)
Age: 66 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I appreciate that this study will look into supply issues, making sure we continue our high usage of renewables.
- The policy seems forward-thinking.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Tech Startup Founder (New York)
Age: 28 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The opportunity for innovation in energy-tech is massive if this study indicates potential weaknesses in current systems.
- I hope to see business incentives to be part of the solution following the study.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Manufacturing Plant Manager (Ohio)
Age: 53 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Reliability of electricity directly affects our operations and any improvements in this are welcomed.
- I am hopeful the study will suggest ways to mitigate supply disruptions that hurt manufacturing.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 4 |
Environmental Scientist (Florida)
Age: 39 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The intersection of climate change and energy policy is critical; this study could underscore urgent needs.
- Long-term planning based on the findings can only be beneficial.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
University Student (Illinois)
Age: 29 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy could open up more opportunities in the field I'm studying, with potential increases in research funding.
- Knowing the grid's capacity to evolve with renewable integration is crucial for my career path.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Stay-at-home Parent (Georgia)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I hope this study might relate to controlling costs of electricity, as expenses are increasing year over year.
- The policy needs to translate into practical outcomes for families.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 3 |
Retired Electrician (Pennsylvania)
Age: 71 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's important that studies like these don't stay as just reports but translate into actions, especially for stabilizing grids.
- There's a wealth of knowledge already in the system, and we should be drawing on it more.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
Policy Analyst (Washington State)
Age: 60 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This is an important step to inform future policy decisions, but the focus should remain on actionable insights.
- I would like to see more rapid deployment of recommendations that come out of studies like these.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $25000000 (Low: $20000000, High: $30000000)
Year 2: $5000000 (Low: $4000000, High: $6000000)
Year 3: $3000000 (Low: $2000000, High: $4000000)
Year 5: $1000000 (Low: $500000, High: $1500000)
Year 10: $500000 (Low: $250000, High: $750000)
Year 100: $100000 (Low: $50000, High: $200000)
Key Considerations
- The study addresses critical issues of national resource adequacy, essential for energy security.
- Long-term planning for energy supply and demand is crucial as the nation faces climate change challenges.
- The bill mandates a study whose outcomes could guide policy decisions impacting millions of Americans.