This group brings together the best thinkers on energy and climate. Join us for smart, insightful posts and conversations about where the energy industry is and where it is going.

Publication

Decarbonization and Electrification: The Case for Innovation

Paul A. DeCotis's picture
Senior Partner, Head East Coast Energy & Utilities, West Monroe

Paul A. DeCotis is senior partner and east coast lead for West Monroe's Energy & Utilities practice, based in New York City. He leads the firm’s executive advisory and regulatory offerings...

  • Member since 1999
  • 31 items added with 34,228 views
  • Mar 18, 2022
  • 1168 views

Access Publication

Highly reliable and resilient energy infrastructure is the bedrock of the US economy. Energy availability and certainty of supply and delivery are more important now than ever. This is particularly the case for electricity and natural gas in support of sustaining economic recovery as the COVID pandemic wains. Large segments of the economy, including electric generation, heating, and industrial processes are dependent on reliable and economically priced natural gas, now the dominant fuel in the US. Policy initiatives aimed at reducing the use of fossil fuels, including natural gas, and expanding transportation and building electrification are bringing forth challenges and opportunities that are at times in conflict.

Discussions
Todd Carney's picture
Todd Carney on Mar 28, 2022

Paul, thank you for this post, it is very insightful. So one of the issues in adapting to alternatives to fossil fuels seems to be political disagreements. A cynic would say it is due to special interests, others would say it is fundamental disagreements on the philosophy on how to encourage energy development. Regardless, it seems things won't change until gridlock is resolved. How would you best resolve this gridlock?

Paul A. DeCotis's picture
Paul A. DeCotis on Mar 30, 2022

The energy industry is dynamic, and political agendas and legal and regulatory requirements drive investments. A clear articulation of the vison of a clean energy economy built around innovation and the genius of competitive markets, with government funding support via tax policy and incentives will drive the market response. Currently there is no consensus around the vision. The consensus is formed once business and industry, and voters elect leaders that are interested in bettering society and providing for the economic and social well-being of citizens and communities. This is not an impossible feat. 

Get Published - Build a Following

The Energy Central Power Industry Network® is based on one core idea - power industry professionals helping each other and advancing the industry by sharing and learning from each other.

If you have an experience or insight to share or have learned something from a conference or seminar, your peers and colleagues on Energy Central want to hear about it. It's also easy to share a link to an article you've liked or an industry resource that you think would be helpful.

                 Learn more about posting on Energy Central »