PUC Submits Comments To FERC Opposing DOE Coal/Nuclear Reliability Pricing

The Public Utility Commission Monday submitted formal comments to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission saying the U.S. Department of Energy grid reliability and resilience pricing proposal benefitting coal and nuclear power plants “threatens the efficient functioning of organized competitive wholesale electricity markets by providing de facto cost of service treatment to coal and nuclear generation without adequate justification.”

The comments point out the PUC has historically been supportive of competitive wholesale markets and has actively advocated in favor of policy and regulatory proposals at FERC that promote the success of competitive markets.

Competitive wholesales markets, the PUC said, have “translated into equally vibrant retail choice markets in PA…” and the proposed DOE rule could put Pennsylvania’s retail choice programs at risk.

The comments also question one justification for the DOE proposal saying the 2014 Polar Vortex is an “inadequate and inappropriate justification” for the proposed rule.

The PUC comment recommend the stakeholder process now underway through the PJM Interconnection should be permitted to go forward since they are discussing the resilience and reliability issues at the level of a regional electricity market.

A copy of the comments are available online.

Related Stories:

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NewsClips:

Legislature Throws Its Support Behind Trump Energy Plan

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FirstEnergy CEO: Will Dump Coal, Nuclear Regardless Of What Federal Govt. Does To Help

Legere: FERC Commissioner Powelson Throws Doubt On Rule To Benefit Nuclear, Coal

PJM Says DOE Plan To Subsidize Coal, Nukes Not Workable

AP: Big Electric Grid Operator PJM Slams Trump Plan To Aid Coal, Nuclear Plants

PUC: DOE Coal/Nuclear Proposal Threatens Competitive Electricity Markets

DOE Coal, Nuclear Plant Subsidy Plan To Cost Taxpayers $10.6 Billion A Year

Plan To Support Coal, Nuclear Divides U.S. Energy Industry

Coal Industry Tells FERC Last 7 Years Was A Catastrophe It Must Now Fix

Puko: Trump Plan For Coal, Nuclear Power Draws Fire From Environmental, Oil Groups

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[Posted: Oct. 27, 2017]


10/30/2017

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