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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) questioned Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Chairman Kevin McIntyre and FERC Commissioners Neil Chatterjee and Robert Powelson about his “UPDATE PURPA” legislation and how coal and nuclear power sources are critical for electric grid reliability.

McIntyre, Chatterjee and Powelson testified at today’s Senate Energy and Natural Resources oversight hearing of FERC.

On PURPA Regulations:

“Commissioner Chatterjee, on April 26th Sen. Risch and I introduced the UPDATE PURPA Act.

“The legislation makes several commonsense reforms to bring the 40 year old Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act [of 1978] in line with modern energy markets and protect consumers from what I believe are unnecessary costs.

“Back in ‘78, when that law was passed, things were different then. We now have open access to electric transmission, we have competitive wholesale energy markets, we have abundant renewable energy.

“I believe that the regulations need to be updated to reflect these modern realities and ensure that electricity customers aren’t footing the bill for power that they really don’t need and don’t want to pay for.

“I am encouraged by the commission’s announcement on May 17 that you’re going to be reviewing the PURPA regulations. Would you please give us some additional detail on the scope and the timing of this review, and any of the specific rules you believe need to be updated?

Click here for video of Sen. Barrasso questioning FERC Commissioners on PURPA regulations

On How Coal and Nuclear Power Sources are Essential for Electric Grid Reliability:

“Chairman McIntyre, a different question, during the cold snap this past winter, data from the Department of Energy showed that the coldest parts of the country were heavily reliant on baseload coal and nuclear generation sources when they needed power the most.

“To me, this shows the value of fuel-secure resources to a reliable and diverse generation fleet.

“Do you agree that maintaining the role of coal and nuclear power in our generation fleet is critical for grid reliability and resilience?”

Click here for video of Sen. Barrasso questioning FERC Commissioners on how coal and nuclear power sources are essential for electric grid reliability

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