This isn’t what scientists meant when they said “second tree of life.” But with mirror cells, anything could be possible. | Shutterstock

December 18, 2024

Let’s take a break from all the heartwarming and weird stuff and enjoy some good old fashioned nightmare fuel today.

Scientists recently warned of a microbe that could end all life on the planet as we know it, restart evolution from scratch and create “a second tree of life.” They called for a ban on research into such cells. 

What on Earth could cause such alarm? Well nothing — yet. They’re hypothetical microorganisms called mirror cells. It’s a bit complicated, but essentially, they are mirror-image copies of cells. Scientists have been researching “flipping” human proteins so that they can’t be degraded naturally, potentially preventing neurodegenerative diseases, like Alzheimer’s, or even extending human lifespans. 

The problem would come if they succeeded in flipping the entire cell. Such a cell would be completely undetectable by not just the human body, but by any living thing on Earth, because all cells’ proteins and DNA are shaped the same way. You wouldn’t even feel sick as the mirror cells kill you, as nothing would trigger your immune system. 

When presented with that possibility, several scientists who had been working on mirror cells immediately pledged to abandon their work. But now we have yet another possible existential risk to add to the list. 

And on that happy note, let’s get to the news from RTO Insider.

Have a great day! 

Michael Brooks 

The latest from RTO Insider:

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• SPP Names COO Nickell to Replace Sugg as CEO
  
• WestTEC Committee Considers Scenarios in Transmission Study
  

The latest from NetZero Insider:

• DOE Warns About Further Increase of US LNG Exports
  
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The latest from ERO Insider:

• NERC Warns Challenges "Mounting" in Coming Decade
  

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Upcoming Stakeholder Meetings:

• 12/18/24: ISO-NE Planning Advisory Committee Meeting
• 12/18/24: PJM Markets and Reliability Committee Meeting
• 12/18/24: PJM Members Committee Meeting
• 12/19/24: NEPOOL Transmission Committee Meeting
• 12/19/24: FERC Meeting
• 12/20/24: SPP Markets+ State Committee Meeting
• 12/20/24: NYISO Load Forecasting Task Force Meeting
• 1/6/25: NYISO Transmission Planning Advisory Subcommittee and Electric System Planning Working Group Meeting
• 1/7/25: PJM Planning Committee Meeting
• 1/7/25: NYISO Installed Capacity/Market Issues/Price-Responsive Load Working Groups Meeting
• 1/7/25: PJM Transmission Expansion Advisory Committee Meeting
• 1/8/25: New York State Reliability Council Installed Capacity Subcommittee Meeting
• 1/8/25: PJM Market Implementation Committee Meeting
• 1/9/25: SPP REAL Team Meeting
• 1/9/25: PJM Operating Committee Meeting
• 1/9/25: NYISO Communication & Data Advisory Subcommittee Meeting
• 1/9/25: NEPOOL Participants Committee Meeting
• 1/9/25: NYISO System Operations Advisory Subcommittee Meeting
• 1/14/25: NEPOOL Markets Committee Meeting
• 1/15/25: NEPOOL Markets Committee Meeting
• 1/15/25: MISO Resource Adequacy Subcommittee Meeting
• 1/15/25: CAISO Interconnection Process Enhancements Meeting
• 1/16/25: PJM Market Implementation Committee Special Session
• 1/16/25: MISO Market Subcommittee Meeting
• 1/16/25: NYISO Operating Committee Meeting

COMPANY ANNOUNCEMENT

RioSol Capacity Allocation

On January 6, 2025, El Rio Sol Transmission, LLC (“RioSol”) will commence an open solicitation process to award up to 1,600 MW of bi-directional, point-to-point, firm transmission capacity.  RioSol is holding this open solicitation process pursuant to its FERC authorization issued in Docket No. ER24-1726-000, dated July 5, 2024.

The RioSol Transmission Project consists of a proposed single-circuit, 500 kV alternating current electric transmission line and several substations that will transport energy from Arizona and New Mexico to customers and markets across the Desert Southwest.  RioSol is seeking parties that can meet our criteria and work with us to enable the transmission project to commence construction by the end of 2026 and commence operating by the end of 2028.  More information about the project can be found at www.riosol.energy.

RioSol has engaged Energy Strategies to manage the open solicitation process.  Specific information about the forthcoming open solicitation process and timing can be found at www.riosol-os.com.  On 12/18/2024, RioSol will host a webinar to review the project and Open Solicitation process and to answer questions from prospective customers.  To sign up for the webinar, email RioSol-OS@energystrat.com. 

Starting on January 6, 2025, interested entities may obtain a request for participation form and a confidentiality agreement via www.riosol-os.com and submit them to RioSol-OS@energystrat.com.  Subsequently, interested entities deemed to have a legitimate interest in obtaining transmission capacity on RioSol will be provided with a confidential information memorandum and the expression of interest form.  Completed expression of interest forms will be due no later than February 7, 2025.

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