The North American Electric Reliability Corporation stated recently that unless significant measures are taken to improve transmission of electricity, the rules requiring reduction of carbon dioxide emissions by utilities might impair the reliability of the power grid.  The corporation is the industry body authorized by the federal government to enforce reliability rules for the interconnected system of electrical power generation and transmission.

      The new carbon emission rules may increase reliance on natural gas, thereby making power generation vulnerable to supply interruptions.  Carbon-reduction rules have been passed in more than half of the American states and 4 Canadian provinces and new ones will be enacted in both countries.  These rules may force changes in the utility industry such as shutting down coal plants that are located near load centers and substituting power from wind turbines or solar plants in remote areas.

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      Carbon emission initiatives will create new pressures on the old grid.  Renewable energy may form a larger portion of electricity supplies without reducing reliability, provided improvements are made in the transmission lines.