The National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) Executive Committee has approved a nine-month extension for its Gas Electric Alignment for Reliability (GEAR) Task Force and endorsed the establishment of a new Natural Gas Readiness Forum.
Formed in 2023 under NARUC President Julie Fedorchak of the North Dakota Public Service Commission, the GEAR Task Force aims to enhance the reliability of the U.S. natural gas and electric systems. The Task Force includes seven state regulators and seven industry representatives, with leadership from NARUC First Vice President Commissioner Tricia Pridemore of the Georgia Public Service Commission and Vice Chair Dwight Keen of the Kansas Corporation Commission.
In its recent meeting, the GEAR Task Force recommended the creation of the Natural Gas Readiness Forum, a collaborative initiative focused on bolstering the reliability of the U.S. natural gas value chain. This effort will promote communication and readiness across the natural gas and electric sectors, connecting stakeholders such as natural gas transportation, storage, and distribution operators, producers, state regulators, and Regional Transmission Operators. The Forum will be administered by the American Gas Association (AGA), as recommended by the GEAR Task Force, and will include an annual readiness summit each year before winter.
"The Natural Gas Readiness Forum represents a new platform for stakeholders to focus on improving reliability across the energy system,” said NARUC President Fedorchak. “We are grateful to the GEAR Task Force members for their efforts in advancing this initiative.”
AGA President and CEO Karen Harbert added, “AGA is prepared to lead this Forum in collaboration with NARUC and other stakeholders, working together to promote reliability across the natural gas sector.”
