FERC Holds Technical Conference To Explore Resource Adequacy Challenges

On June 4–5, 2025, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or Commission) hosted a commissioner-led technical conference to discuss resource adequacy challenges facing regional transmission organizations and independent system operators (RTO). The conference is a response to the growing concern that multiple RTO regions across the country may not have sufficient supply available in the coming years to meet demand due to resource retirements, the pace of new generation entry and higher load growth arising from the construction of data centers and reindustrialization.

Chairman Christie opened the conference by questioning the continued viability of organized markets for capacity. After noting that RTO regions had relied on these "administrative constructs" for over 25 years, Chairman Christie encouraged participants in the conference to consider whether FERC-jurisdictional markets have failed and should be replaced. Chairman Christie also questioned whether