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EPSA Welcomes House Passage Of H.R. 4273, "Resolving Environmental And Grid Reliability Conflicts Act"

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Electric Power Supply Association (EPSA) President and CEO John E. Shelk released the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives last night passed H.R. 4273, the "Resolving Environmental and Grid Reliability Conflicts Act of 2012" by a voice vote:

"EPSA is pleased that the U.S. House of Representatives has passed H.R. 4273, bipartisan consensus legislation to resolve the conflict of laws that presently exists when the Secretary of Energy issues an emergency order to a power plant operator under the Federal Power Act to run the unit for reliability purposes.

"EPSA agrees that in the carefully defined circumstances addressed by the legislation as passed by the full House, reflecting the compromise forged in the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, a power plant subject to an emergency order to operate should not be liable for violating federal, state or local environmental statutes, nor be subject to citizen suits, for complying with the emergency order.

"EPSA commends the sponsors of the legislation and the leaders on both sides of the aisle in the House Committee on Energy and Commerce who worked with stakeholders to refine the original bill in a manner that carefully and properly balances grid reliability, conflict of laws issues, and environmental concerns. EPSA is hopeful that the Senate will be able to take up and pass the carefully crafted legislation the House has passed."

CONTACT: JOHN SHELK
(202) 349-0154or 703-472-8660

EPSA is the national trade association representing competitive power suppliers, including generators and marketers. These suppliers, who account for nearly 40 percent of the installed generating capacity in the United States, provide reliable and competitively priced electricity from environmentally responsible facilities serving global power markets. EPSA seeks to bring the benefits of competition to all power customers.