Blog
FERC to Hold Conference on EPA Coal Power Rules
Blog
October 12, 2011
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission will hold a two-day technical conference on November 29 and 30 to hear comments and concerns about possible effects on service reliability that may result from new Environmental Protection Agency rules on coal-fired generation. Among the topics for discussion will be “emerging issues, including processes used by planning authorities and other entities to identify reliability concerns that may arise in the course of compliance with Environmental Protection Agency regulations, and the tools and processes (including tariffs and market rules) available to address any identified reliability concerns.” With about half of the country’s power supply produced by coal-fired generation, the potential that EPA rules may force a significant portion of these resources to retire has led to a growing concern over system reliability. FERC chairman Jon Wellinghof has taken the position that reliability impacts are best addressed by the North American Electric Reliability Corporation, regional reliability councils and the states, but Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski has pressed FERC to study the effects of the EPA rules, as has FERC commissioner Philip Moeller. It remains to be seen whether the technical conference is a prelude to FERC wading more directly into the fray.
This entry has been created for information and planning purposes. It is not intended to be, nor should it be substituted for, legal advice, which turns on specific facts.