press releases
For Immediate Release: May 21, 2015
Contact: Regina L. Davis, 202-898-9382, rdavis@naruc.org
WASHINGTON—The National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners issued the following statement in response to the May 15, 2015, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) letter to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regarding the proposed Clean Power Plan:
FERC’s recent letter to the EPA is commendable and key statements echo NARUC’s longstanding position that compliance with federal regulation of greenhouse gas emissions depends squarely on each State’s existing generation, energy resources, electricity market, and State commission decisions. Although NARUC continues to maintain a neutral position on the proposed Clean Power Plan, we remain acutely aware of the diversity among States in the options and authorities available to address any EPA rule or guideline. NARUC is generally recognized as the proper entity to represent the collective interests of State utility commissions, and FERC correctly identified NARUC as an appropriate facilitator for continued discussion and engagement among our member States, FERC, the EPA, and other interested parties. Our long-standing resolutions recommend that federal guidelines provide States with maximum flexibility to achieve cost effective solutions and affirm States’ jurisdiction over decisions regarding integrated resource planning, resource adequacy and energy efficiency programs. That the FERC letter recognizes these critically important positions sends a positive message for meaningful engagement and reliability.
—NARUC President Lisa Edgar of Florida
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NARUC is a non-profit organization founded in 1889 whose members include the governmental agencies that are engaged in the regulation of utilities and carriers in the fifty States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. NARUC's member agencies regulate telecommunications, energy, and water utilities. NARUC represents the interests of State public utility commissions before the three branches of the Federal government.
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