FERC probe of EPA plan elicits praise in Congress

Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and other leaders in the Senate and House of Representatives welcomed the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (FERC) decision on Wednesday to investigate potential risks that proposed federal regulations may impose.

Murkowski, a ranking member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, along with House Energy and Commerce Chairman Rep. Fred Upton (R-Mich.) and Energy and Power Subcommittee Chairman Rep. Ed Whitfield (R-Ky.), voiced their concerns regarding the lack of a consultation process between FERC and the Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Power Plan. Their main concern is the potential weakening of the electrical grid.

“I appreciate that FERC has agreed to convene a technical conference to examine the significant concerns we raised about the potential impacts the EPA’s Clean Power Plan could have on the electric reliability,” Murkowski said. “A national conference, followed by three regional technical conferences, is no substitute for EPA’s failure to engage FERC and DOE in a formal, documented process to address the impact on electric reliability of EPA’s series of major rule-makings in recent years.”

The commission will hold four conferences to examine the Clean Power Plan’s rule on electrical reliability, energy infrastructure, and electric markets and operations.

“Communication and coordination among the agencies and stakeholders is key to ensuring we can maintain access to affordable and reliable electricity as we confront new regulatory challenges and pressures on our electric grid,” Upton and Whitfield said.