Congressman Bob Latta, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Energy, delivered an opening statement on Mar. 17 at a hearing focused on the electric grid's response to Winter Storm Fern. The hearing, titled "Winter Storm Fern Lessons: Supplying Reliable Power to Meet Peak Demand," addressed how the nation's energy system managed during severe winter weather that began on January 23.
The topic is significant as it highlights the importance of reliable power supply during extreme weather events and informs future policy decisions about energy infrastructure and resource management.
Latta said the storm brought snow, sleet, and freezing rain across much of the country, followed by an Arctic Front that kept temperatures low and led to additional snowstorms. He noted that while some outages occurred, "the grid held up because of the important work of some of the witnesses we have before us." Latta recognized organizations such as SWEPCO, which serves Arkansas, Texas, and Louisiana; the Northeast Gas Association; Grid Strategies; and NERC for their roles in maintaining grid reliability.
He emphasized that baseload and dispatchable resources were crucial during the storm: "Generation from coal, natural gas, and fuel oil skyrocketed while intermittent resource generation plummeted. Nuclear, as always, remained steady and reliable." Latta also pointed out challenges in New England where limited gas pipeline capacity forced power plants to use more expensive fuel oil. He warned that although outages were limited this time, future reliability could be at risk without sufficient dispatchable energy resources.
The House Energy and Commerce Committee plays a central role in shaping legislation related to energy policy, health care, environmental protection, telecommunications, and consumer issues according to its official website. The committee has influenced policy areas such as energy innovation and broadband deployment according to its official website. It is one of the oldest standing committees in Congress according to its official website, tracing its origins back to 1795 when it was formed as the Committee on Commerce and Manufactures according to its official website.
Latta concluded his remarks by saying: "American energy dominance and independence must be achieved so we can keep our communities safe at home." The hearing aims to inform policymakers about how best to ensure reliable electricity supply amid growing demand.
