The U.S. electric grid and wireless industry are highly regulated; as such, Arcadian Networks engages in various aspects of government advocacy ranging from participating in industry related trade groups to direct lobbying. Arcadian Networks believes that the need to support smart grid deployment is critical to enable government policy makers reach societal goals which include: allowing consumers to control their individual energy costs, increase reliability, increase efficiency and to enable alternative energy sources.
A key principle that underlies Arcadian Networks’ advocacy strategy is the belief in a free and open market for technologies. Utilities and cooperative transmission systems are diverse in terms of geography, customers and regulatory history. An outgrowth of this diversity is that electricity providers will continue to have unique systems even after they reach advanced transmission goals. Arcadian Networks believes that attempts to choose technology winners and losers will neither serve the public, the utilities or regulators.
Both energy bills of 2005 and 2007 contained significant smart grid provisions that encouraged the expedited deployment of the smart grid; Congress is expected to include additional smart grid language in future greenhouse gas (GHG) legislation.
Several Federal agencies regulate the wireless and utility industries: the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) regulates Arcadian Networks’ private network frequency, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) regulates transmission practices and rates, the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) sets standards for reliability and grid cybersecurity, and the Department of Energy is actively engaged in developing and promoting the deployment of smart grid technologies. In addition, the U.S. Department of Agriculture promotes and finances smart grid projects within the rural cooperative community.
At the state level, primary jurisdiction for smart grid deployment lies with individual Public Utility Commissions (PUC) who set the rates and policies for utilities within their states. State PUC’s are responsible for striking the balances between cost and consumer needs, with long term requirements for developing a dynamic grid system.
Related Links
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)
North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC)
DOE Office of Energy Assurance
Federal Communications Commission (FCC)