WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today addressed the need for balance within the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) during the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing to consider the nomination of Colette D. Honorable to be a member of the independent agency.

(Click for Murkowski’s comments on Honorable)

“Considering electricity alone – just one of the energy sectors regulated by FERC – I have noted for years now that EPA is releasing an unrelenting onslaught of new, and unduly burdensome, federal regulations,” Murkowski said. “Particularly in combination with one another, these rules could seriously challenge the reliability of our nation’s grid system and push more Americans into energy insecurity.” 

Murkowski said she will be counting on Honorable, if she is confirmed, to “champion FERC’s role as the federal agency with responsibility for electric reliability.”

“Because this administration appears intent on transforming the very nature of our energy production and use through the EPA regulatory process, regardless of costs or even feasibility,” Murkowski said. “FERC must be a stronger voice for balance and stand up in interagency dialogues to guard against regulations that will make our electricity less secure and more expensive.”  

In February, Murkowski released a white paper on grid reliability, entitled Powering The Future: Ensuring That Federal Policy Fully Supports Electric Reliability, which is available here. 

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