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Press Release

Chairman Hastings: Department of Energy Directive to BPA and Other PMAs Could Increase Energy Rates for Millions of American Families

WASHINGTON, D.C., March 16, 2012 | Jill Strait, Spencer Pederson or Crystal Feldman (202-225-2761)
House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings (WA-04) today released the following statement in response to a memorandum from Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu to the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) and all other Power Marketing Administrations (PMA) that includes directives that could increase the cost of energy for millions of American families and small businesses.
House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings (WA-04) today released the following statement in response to a memorandum from Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu to the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) and all other Power Marketing Administrations (PMAs) that includes directives that could increase the cost of energy for millions of American families and small businesses.

“While some of the Secretary’s goals may be laudable, the statutory basis of some of these proposed actions is at best unclear and the impact on consumers potentially significant. The Secretary should remember that the traditional mission of the PMAs is to provide the lowest-cost energy possible to their customers within sound business principles. At a time of economic malaise, the last thing we need is another Obama Administration mandate that could only serve to increase energy rates and shift costs to consumers that receive no benefit. As Chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee, which has jurisdiction over BPA and all other PMAs, I will examine these proposals through this lens and will listen to stakeholders to examine the potential impacts. That oversight will begin with an already scheduled PMA budget hearing next week.”

Background:

  • On Tuesday, March 20, 2012 the Subcommittee on Water and Power will hold an oversight hearing on “Examining the Proposed Fiscal Year 2013 Spending, Priorities and the Missions of the Bonneville Power Administration, the Western Area Power Administration, the Southwestern Power Administration and the Southeastern Power Administration.”

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