The Arizona Corporation Commission announces Commissioner Lea Márquez Peterson's recent appointment to the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners' (NARUC) Gas-Electric Alignment for Reliability (GEAR) Working Group. This significant 15-month initiative aims to enhance the reliability of the nation's gas and electric systems by fostering better alignment and coordination between these two vital industries.

The GEAR initiative seeks to develop actionable solutions to align gas infrastructure and markets more closely with the electric industry, which is increasingly reliant on gas for electricity generation. By doing so, it aims to mitigate the risks associated with the current misalignment, creating enhanced reliability and safety of the national grid.

Commissioner Márquez Peterson's appointment was announced at NARUC's Annual Meeting and Education Conference. As part of this pioneering group, she will collaborate with a select team of state regulators and industry professionals to address the growing need for synchronization between the gas and electric sectors. This need has been underscored by recent winter storms, such as Uri and Elliott, which revealed critical reliability concerns due to the interdependence of these systems.

In a statement, Commissioner Márquez Peterson expressed her honor in serving on this national working group, emphasizing its crucial role in advancing grid reliability across the nation. Julie Fedorchak, President of NARUC, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the importance of addressing the misalignment as one of the biggest reliability risks faced today.

The GEAR Working Group will present an update of its progress at the 2024 NARUC Annual Meeting and Education Conference, followed by a comprehensive set of recommendations at the 2025 Winter Policy Summit.

The group, chaired by Georgia Commissioner Tricia Pridemore and vice-chaired by New Hampshire Commissioner Carleton Simpson, includes diverse members representing key sectors of the industry, ensuring a holistic and well-rounded approach to tackling these complex issues.

For more information about the Gas-Electric Alignment for Reliability Working Group, see their official charter at bit.ly/3Ram9fR or Commissioner Lea Márquez Peterson's appointment, please contact Alex Brookreson at ajbrookreson@azcc.gov