02.16.21

Hoeven Statement After FERC, NERC Announce Inquiry Into Power Outages

Senator Outlines Importance of Preserving Coal, Baseload Power Sources

WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven, a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, issued the following statement after the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) announced they will launch a joint inquiry into bulk-power system operations after millions of Americans are suffering power outages due to severe winter weather in the Midwest and South. 

“Americans need access to reliable electricity 24/7 to heat and power their homes and businesses,” said Hoeven. “These events once again make it clear that it is critical that our nation preserve coal and other baseload power sources, to ensure we have adequate supplies of power generation to meet consumer demand. That’s why we continue pressing FERC to ensure markets fairly value these essential energy resources to strengthen our grid reliability and keep the power on for communities and businesses.”

Today’s announcement aligns with Hoeven’s efforts to promote the continued development of the nation’s baseload power sources, including coal, to ensure the reliability and affordability of the electricity grid. Among other priorities, Hoeven has been:

  • Pressing FERC to ensure a fair value for baseload power sources like coal that are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
  • Supporting the development of carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) technologies, like Project Tundra, which will enable the nation to continue utilizing its abundant energy resources, while also improving environmental stewardship and reducing emissions.
  • Working to maintain multiple use on federal land and streamlining the approval process for energy development and infrastructure, like transmission lines and pipelines.

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