Thomas Coleman to Lead SAFE’s Grid Security Project
April 10, 2023 – SAFE today announced the addition of Thomas Coleman, an experienced leader and policy expert in the energy industry and power transmission grid, as Executive Director of its Grid Security Project. Coleman comes to SAFE from the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) where, as the Chief Technical Advisor, he worked with industry and stakeholders to assess, report on, and provide system planning and policy recommendations to ensure the reliability of the North American Bulk Power System.
“We cannot reindustrialize America and have a successful energy transition without ample and affordable cleaner electricity provided by a secure and resilient grid,” said Robbie Diamond SAFE founder and CEO. “Tom’s deep experience, expertise, and relationships will enable the SAFE Grid Security Project to become more active and impactful as America moves towards an electrified future with the defense, energy, and transportation technologies built right here in the U.S. “
According to the Department of Energy, the U.S. must expand the electricity transmission system by 60% by 2030 to meet projected demand which includes the mass adoption of electric vehicles (EVs). More than 70% of the nation’s grid transmission lines and power transformers are over 25 years old, creating vulnerability. Additionally, power outages in the US are increasing and experiencing ever- longer durations.
Rebuilding and improving America’s electric grid is a major component of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Ensuring that these dollars are spent the right way and in the most efficient and expedient way are critical to the future reliability of our power grid.
The Grid Security Project plays a leading role as a resource and advocate for a critical sector of America’s national infrastructure. Policy priorities include the development of requisite infrastructure to keep the grid reliable and resilient, safe-guarding against cyber attacks, and supporting the development of resources to accommodate electrification and reindustrialization.
“The power grid is at a crossroads and it’s critical that we plan the system in a way that allows us to achieve our goals of net-zero carbon while ensuring that our grid is both reliable and resilient” said Coleman, who at NERC led the natural gas risk strategy and was lead for NERC’s Electric Gas Working Group.
Coleman also led initiatives for the NERC Reliability Issues Steering Committee, identifying and providing solution sets for grid reliability and security risks as well as efforts around long term, short term and historical reliability assessments. Mr. Coleman joined NERC in 2014. Before joining NERC, Mr. Coleman traded power and natural gas commodities and directed long term origination at JP Morgan and Williams Energy. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Florida and his MBA from Vanderbilt University.
