WASHINGTON,
D.C. – U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, on Tuesday sent a letter to
members of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission seeking clarification on
their collaboration with the Environmental Protection Agency on proposed
climate, water and other rules that could force the shutdown of the nation’s
coal-fired electricity fleet.
“I
am deeply concerned about the potential impact these rules may have on the
reliability and affordability of our nation’s electricity supply,” Murkowski
wrote. “The impact of EPA regulations on electric reliability could be
substantial and are of vital importance to the nation.”
The
EPA recently announced it was tightening emission standards for a number of air
pollutants that could have dramatic effects on the affordability and reliability
of the nation’s electrical grid.
FERC
Chairman Jon Wellinghoff has publically stated that the commission is
investigating the impact these new rules could have on the reliability of the
grid. Both EPA and FERC have suggested the creation of a task force to address
the reliability issue, however no details have been provided regarding the
formation of the task force, its scope, purview or mission.
Murkowski
is asking FERC to provide information on the specific actions taken by the
commission to protect electric reliability caused by the potential loss of
substantial power generation due to EPA’s actions.
“Any
collaboration between FERC and EPA on establishing or implementing these rules
is of critical interest to myself and the nation,” Murkowski said. “It is
fundamental that any efforts by EPA and other agencies to protect electric
reliability in the wake of these rules should be open and transparent.”
The
letter to FERC is attached.
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