PJM CEO Terry Boston has been elected to the National Academy of Engineering for leadership in the development and operation of large electric grids and wholesale electric markets. Election to the academy is through a nomination process and review by academy members. Congratulating Boston, PJM board Chair Howard Schneider said, “Behind his vision and leadership is an innovative mind, grounded in a theoretical and practical engineering foundation.”

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Wellinghoff to Counsel New DR Group

The demand response industry is forming a trade group, the Advanced Energy Management Alliance, to exert some lobbying power in Washington and has hired Jon Wellinghoff to provide strategic counsel. The former chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission championed DR, energy efficiency and green power when he was at FERC. He joined the law firm Stoel Rives when his term expired last year.

Wellinghoff said he will help DR make its case as traditional energy suppliers defend their interests. “Without having effective representation, demand response can’t adequately expand,” he said.

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PPL to Open New Operations Center

PPL Electric Utilities will open a new operations center four miles west of its current location on Feb. 22.

A PPL representative told the Operating Committee last week that Reliability First Corp. has completed its certification of the center. Existing phone numbers will remain in effect for about the first two months.

PPL Electric Utilities runs 48,000 miles of power lines serving about 1.4 million customers in 29 counties in central and eastern Pennsylvania.

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