That’s quite the topping. | Shutterstock

March 19, 2024

I am constantly telling my kids they should be willing to try new things, especially when it comes to food. Well, considering this next story, I guess it may be time for me to put my money (or insects) where my mouth is. 

Scientists have started studying ants as an alternative food source and discovered that different species give off different tastes. Black ants can replace vinegar or lemon juice thanks to the formic acid in their venom glands, while Chicatana ants give off the same aroma as burgers and breads because of the aldehydes and pyrazine in their bodies. And while that may sound off-putting to you, we Americans may be the outlier, as 80% of the world’s countries already use insects as a food ingredient. 

I’m not going to lie … I tend to eat with my eyes. So, if something doesn’t look appetizing — like crickets on a pizza — I’m probably not going to eat it. However, if insects are reconstructed so they don't look like insects, then there is a good chance I will. You have to play mind games with yourself for the greater good … of yourself. 

Now, it should be easy to digest today’s RTO Insider news.

From everyone at RTO Insider, thanks for reading and enjoy the rest of your day! 

Shawn McFarland  

P.S. Want to skip this daily email and just receive our newsletter on Tuesdays? Want to opt out of our event promotion emails? You can set your email delivery preferences here - and change them any time you want. Note: if you're not logged in, do so and then click "My Account" in the top-right corner and scroll down to the "Requested Emails" section.

The latest from RTO Insider:

• CAISO, Stakeholders Consider 2 GHG Mechanisms for EDAM
  
• COUNTERFLOW: Hair (and Pants) on Fire
• CPS Energy Plans to Retire 859 GW of Gas Resources
• FERC Rejects Tri-State Rates for Failing to Unbundle Ancillary Services
• Pathways Initiative Discloses Funders, Reiterates Goals
• ‘Sprint’ Over, Markets+ Regulators Eye Next Phase
• Staheholder Soapbox: PJM Moves to Wipe Out Energy Efficiency When It’s Needed Most
  

The latest from NetZero Insider:

• New Jersey Lawmakers Back $250 Annual EV Fee
  
• Next-gen Geothermal: Clean, Firm, Flexible and Ready for Liftoff
• Public EV Charging Gets Boost in California

Upcoming Stakeholder Meetings:

• 3/19/24: MISO Markets Committee of the Board of Directors Meeting
• 3/19/24: NEPOOL Reliability Committee Meeting
• 3/19/24: PJM Risk Management Committee Meeting
• 3/19/24: MISO System Planning Committee of the Board of Directors Meeting
• 3/20/24: PJM Markets and Reliability Committee Meeting
• 3/20/24: ISO-NE Planning Advisory Committee Meeting
• 3/20/24: NYISO Installed Capacity / Market Issues / Price Responsive Load Working Groups Meeting
• 3/20/24: PJM Members Committee Meeting
• 3/21/24: MISO Board of Directors Open Session
• 3/21/24: FERC Meeting
• 3/21/24: NYISO Electric System Planning Working Group and Load Forecasting Task Force Meeting
• 3/21/24: Texas PUC Open Meeting
• 3/22/24: NYISO Billing, Accounting & Credit Policy Working Group Meeting
• 3/22/24: SPP REAL Team Meeting
• 3/25/24: NYISO Installed Capacity / Market Issues / Price Responsive Load Working Groups Meeting
• 3/25/24: SPP Special Board of Directors & Members Committee Meeting
• 3/26/24: NYISO Budget & Priorities Working Group and Business Intelligence Task Force Meeting
• 3/27/24: NEPOOL Transmission Committee Meeting
• 3/27/24: NYISO Management Committee Meeting
• 3/27/24: ERCOT Technical Advisory Committee Meeting
• 4/1/24: NYISO Transmission Planning Advisory Subcommittee/Electric System Planning Working Group Meeting
• 4/2/24: NYISO Installed Capacity / Market Issues / Price Responsive Load Working Groups Meeting
• 4/2/24: PJM Planning Committee Meeting
• 4/2/24: PJM Transmission Expansion Advisory Committee Meeting
• 4/3/24: PJM Market Implementation Committee Meeting
• 4/4/24: PJM Operating Committee Meeting
• 4/4/24: NEPOOL Participants Committee Meeting
• 4/4/24: NYISO Communication & Data Advisory Subcommittee Meeting
• 4/4/24: NYISO System Operations Advisory Subcommittee Meeting
• 4/4/24: NYISO Electric System Planning Working Group and Load Forecasting Task Force Meeting

Opportunities We Think You'll Appreciate:

Events We Think You'll Appreciate: