Rothfus and McKinley Urge Trump Administration to Protect Coal and Nuclear Power Plants

WASHINGTON – Congressmen Keith Rothfus (PA-12) and David B. McKinley, P.E., (WV-1) led a letter to President Trump this week reiterating the need to secure America’s electric grid by invoking the administration’s 202(c) emergency powers under the Federal Power Act. This was the second letter to President Trump that the Congressmen have organized, and was signed by 20 Members of Congress.

“Fuel-secure nuclear and coal-fired power plants provide safe, reliable, and resilient electricity that millions of Americans depend on. These plants are vital to our nation, especially during winter when demand is very high and consequences of power outages are dire,” said Congressman Rothfus. “The premature closure of fuel-secure plants across our nation have exposed significant vulnerabilities. Places like New England have to import fuel to make electricity from foreign sources during peak demand as seen during the Bomb Cyclone last winter. Our nation should be energy independent. Relying on foreign fuel or interruptible and intermittent energy sources to meet our power needs undermines national security. I am hopeful that the Trump Administration will support our efforts to keep America’s grid reliable, resilient, and independent.”

“The closure of additional nuclear and coal-fired power plants would weaken America’s national security. With coal and nuclear plants already closing at alarming rates, our nation’s electric grid isn’t equipped to fill the void,” said Rep. McKinley. “From the Polar Vortex, Hurricane Harvey, and the growing threat of cyberattacks from foreign enemies, we’ve seen how weather and other external factors can stress our energy supply and threaten the grid. We call on the Trump Administration to use whatever means available to secure our nation’s electric grid.”

Background:

Section 202(c) of the Federal Power Act allows the Secretary of Energy to use emergency authority to secure America’s national electric grid. It states:

During the continuance of a war in which the United States is engaged or when an emergency exists by reason of a sudden increase in the demand for electric energy, or a shortage of electric energy, or of facilities for the generation or transmission of electric energy, or of the fuel or water for generating facilities, or other causes, the Secretary of Energy may require by order temporary connections of facilities, and generation, delivery, interchange, or transmission of electricity as the Secretary determines will best meet the emergency and serve the public interest.  16 U.S.C. § 824a(c).

In September, Secretary of Energy Rick Perry had requested that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) develop a rule that will address threats to our nation’s electrical grid reliability. Namely, the proposed rule would’ve allowed for the recovery of costs of fuel-secure (such as coal, nuclear, and hydropower) generation units frequently relied upon to make our grid reliable and resilient. Rothfus and McKinley were strong advocates for the adoption of Secretary Perry’s proposed rule. FERC ultimately rejected the proposal in January. 

To read the first Rothfus and McKinley letter to President Trump, click here.

To read the follow up Rothfus and McKinley letter to President Trump, click here.

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