WASHINGTON, D.C. – The National Mining Association (NMA) issued the following statement on today’s Senate Committee on Natural Resources Full Committee Hearing to Review Administration of Laws Within the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (FERC’s) Jurisdiction.
During the hearing FERC commissioners and members of Congress discussed flaws with our current energy market design, along with the incredible challenges associated with maintaining the reliability of the power system and protecting consumers from paying unreasonable prices for electricity.
Rich Nolan, NMA President and CEO:
“While it is encouraging to hear commissioners and senators echoing many of the reliability concerns industry has warned of for years, at the very same moment, as part of reconciliation, proposals are being contemplated in the House that will only exacerbate the crisis. By increasing royalty rates and other fees, making lease terms less favorable, and through other penalties proposed for the coal industry, Congress will be adding additional competitive obstacles to the very fuel that can offer price and availability stability. Congress must act decisively to require adequate planning for the grid and incentivize the maintenance of traditional resources of power capable of 24/7 operations – the Clean Electricity Payment Program does just the opposite. Incentivizing the transition of our grid to one based on variable power before the required infrastructure to support such a system is even permitted or built is a predictable catastrophe. Congress must change course and support the reliability and affordability of electricity for Americans.”
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