“PJM’s Board Needs Clean Energy Expertise”
Every time you turn on a light, you interact with a vast network of transmission lines, a sort of interstate highway system for electricity. But PJM, the organization that runs that system for much of the mid-Atlantic region, needs a board of directors that understands how clean energy works.
In October, PJM’s member owners – which includes utilities and big corporate customers like Proctor & Gamble and Kimberly-Clark, and even the Trustees of University of Pennsylvania – will vote on a proposal to ensure there is always clean energy expertise on the PJM Board.
There are requirements for board members with specific areas of expertise, like finance or engineering, there’s no requirement for PJM to have a clean energy expert on its board.
But shouldn’t the organization that operates the largest competitive wholesale electricity market in the United States—serving more than 65 million people—require a deeper understanding of the risks and opportunities that come with a clean energy future?
Proctor & Gamble, Huggies maker Kimberly-Clark, and The University of Pennsylvania have made big clean energy commitments.
Proctor & Gamble “set a new ambition to achieve net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across its operations and supply chain, from raw material to retailer” by 2040.
Kimberly-Clark is “committed to aggressive, science-based GHG emissions reduction targets that are aligned with the Paris Climate Agreement...”
The University of Pennsylvania “has committed to the goal of achieving 100% carbon neutrality by 2042.”
Will these organizations vote in line with their values? Will they vote for our future?
Like P&G, UPenn, and Kimberly-Clark, many of PJM’s transmission owners also have clean energy commitments.
As do most PJM states. Having clean energy leadership at PJM is a critical component that will help states achieve their renewable portfolio standard (RPS) goals. (Source: PJM)
More than 95% of the electricity waiting to connect to PJM’s grid is from cost-effective clean energy. (Source: PJM)
PJM needs clean energy expertise on its board to guide the organization through the unique opportunities and challenges of a clean energy future.
As PJM has written:
“Increasing public demand for cleaner sources of electricity, combined with public policy standards and goals, is driving unprecedented growth in renewable sources.”
Let’s prepare for the grid of tomorrow with the right vote today.