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Washington, DC – On Friday, February 27^th, Congressmen Brett Guthrie (KY-02) and Gregg Harper (MI-03) sent a letter to the Chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) in support of the commission’s continued work to study the impact of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposed Clean Power Plan regulation on electric reliability.  The letter included the signatures of 42 additional Members of Congress.

“Electric reliability has become a very serious concern across the country as states that rely on affordable and reliable coal-fired electricity could stand to lose significant capacity as a result of proposed EPA regulations,” said Congressman Guthrie.  “In Kentucky, given the harsh winters we have experienced the last couple of years, we could see serious effects during the winter months, precisely the time when Kentuckians rely most on electricity to keep their homes lit and warm.  By further studying the proposed regulation, FERC may be able to provide nonpartisan, technical expertise to the EPA.”

The letter sent from Congressmen Guthrie and Harper refers to recent statements by FERC officials and industry executives describing last winter and the challenges of limited electrical supply, generation and distribution.  At a Senate committee hearing in April 2014, American Electric Power (AEP) CEO Nick Akins illustrated the problem when he showed that in order to provide adequate electricity supply last winter to its customers, AEP had to rely on 89 percent of the electric generation capacity that is scheduled for retirement in 2015.  If the scheduled retirements occur, it could create a significant risk should similar demands be placed on the system in the future.  Further describing the risk, he said, “This country did not just dodge a bullet – we dodged a cannonball.”

“This has been another harsh winter for Kentucky.  While our power supply industry has done a great job of supplying the electricity needed to keep Kentuckians warm, we cannot allow the EPA to continue to put additional demands on the industry without adequate technical input and cost-benefit analysis.  The EPA’s so-called Clean Power Plan could result in the retirement of additional capacity and lead to higher costs and possibly even service interruptions that Kentucky families and businesses simply cannot afford,” said Congressman Guthrie.

“We are hopeful that FERC will make this issue a priority.  The EPA continues to pursue an agenda that aims to regulate the coal industry out of business.  It is imperative that Congress continues to perform its oversight duties, particularly in regards to the EPA.  One of the ways we can do so is by encouraging greater technical input by agencies like FERC and demanding rigorous cost-benefit analysis of new regulations.  We look forward to FERC’s further assessment of this important issue,” added Congressman Guthrie.

You can view a copy of the letter to FERC Chairman Cheryl A. LaFleur here.

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