It’s difficult to assess the REV promise because it’s difficult to figure out what REV is really about
Steve Huntoon is the principal of Energy Counsel, LLP. Mr. Huntoon is a former President of the Energy Bar Association, and for over 30 years of practice in energy regulatory law he has advised and represented such companies and institutions as Dynegy, PECO Energy (now part of Exelon), Florida Power & Light (NextEra Energy), ISO New England, Entergy, PacifiCorp, Williston Basin (MDU Resources) and Conectiv (now part of PHI).
Let's be honest. Does anyone know what New York's REV ("Reforming the Energy Vision") really is? Other than the most hyped regulatory initiative since California restructuring some 20 years ago?
Ken Munson of Sunverge Energy, writing in Fortnightly's Spark, says it will "... help meet threats posed by aging infrastructure, more frequent extreme weather events, greenhouse-gas-driven climate change, and growing dangers to our physical and digital security." What, not world peace?
And this: "NY REV promises to make energy a win-win - for the first time in history." So fire, steam power, the internal combustion engine, electricity itself - were these mere single "wins" in energy? Whoa!
It's difficult to assess the REV promise because it's difficult to figure out what REV is really about. The goals are lofty - and commonly shared. The means are murky. Acronyms and visions abound, but there is no clear roadmap or even a clear destination. What is it that makes REV different from all other initiatives to "promote energy efficiency, grid security and resiliency, greater use of renewables (cleaner air), and wider deployment of distributed energy resources"?