WASHINGTON, DC - The Subcommittee on Energy, chaired by Rep. Fred Upton (R-MI), today announced two hearings as part of the committee’s continuing “Powering America " series. The series provides committee members the opportunity to explore the challenges of electricity markets and to consider reforms related to electricity generation, distribution, consumption, and grid resiliency.
After holding two hearings in July, the third hearing of the series, entitled “Powering America: Reevaluating PURPA’s Objectives and its Effects on Today’s Consumers," is scheduled for Wednesday, September 6, 2017, at 10 a.m. in room 2123 of the Rayburn House Office Building. During this hearing, the committee will reexamine the Public Utilities Regulatory Policies Act (PURPA), enacted in 1978 to promote greater use of domestic energy. As the manner and mode by which electricity is supplied to consumers and the use of more and new domestic energy resources grows, it is time to consider whether reforms may be necessary to benefit consumers and to ensure that PURPA continues to play a constructive role in evolving wholesale electricity markets.
The fourth hearing of the series, entitled “Powering America: Defining Reliability in a Transforming Electricity Industry," is scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2017. The hearing will review electric reliability issues, grid resiliency, and the Department of Energy’s recently released staff report on electric markets and reliability.
“As technology, energy sources, and our domestic energy supply continue to grow and evolve, it is important that American electricity markets are resilient and adapt to these changes," said Chairman Upton. “Regulatory legislation must also adapt, so that this vital industry is not stifled to the detriment of consumers. Our examination of these developing challenges to the electric system will allow us to ensure electric markets maintain their strength and consumers can be confident in the services they provide."
The subcommittee began the “Powering America" series in July with two hearings:
* Powering America: Examining the State of the Electric Industry through Market Participant Perspectives
* Powering America: Review of the Operation and Effectiveness of the Nation’s Wholesale Electricity Markets
The Majority Memorandum, witness list, and witness testimony for the September 6, 2017 hearing will be available here as they are posted.
Information on the September 12th hearing will be posted here as it becomes available.
