This bill changes the emergency authority in section 202(c) of the Federal Power Act. It limits the federal commission's power to issue emergency orders that keep fossil fuel electric generating facilities or fossil fuel power plants running. The bill requires the commission to consider alternatives that meet the emergency while minimizing environmental harm. Before renewing or reissuing an order, the commission must hold a public hearing, decide whether the order will raise rates for customers, check for conflicts with federal, state, or local environmental laws, and consult relevant state, local, and federal agencies. The bill says an order that affects the same facility and a substantially similar emergency counts as a renewed order. It generally bars orders that would delay a facility's retirement or force a retired facility to produce power, except when an emergency cannot be met any other way and a transmission organization asks in writing to delay retirement. The bill also requires a public online docket and public notice for proposed orders and requests. Orders must be published with a report analyzing the emergency causes, the alternatives considered (including environmental-minimizing options), and estimates of additional electrical system costs expected for utilities and their customers. For initial orders the commission must follow reporting rules to the maximum extent practicable and must fully follow them for any renewed order. Utilities affected by an order must give written notice to their customers within 60 days that explains the order, the impacts and expected costs (fuel, maintenance, capital, or labor), and how to find the order online.
If this law is enacted, decisions to keep fossil-fuel power plants running in an emergency would face more public review and disclosure. The commission must hold hearings and publish a docket and report that explains why the order is needed, what alternatives were considered, and estimates of extra costs. Utilities that are affected must send a written notice to their customers within 60 days with details and links to the order. The bill also mostly prevents orders that delay a planned retirement or require power from a plant that has already closed, unless specific, narrow conditions are met.
No publicly available information on estimated federal or utility costs or savings from this bill. The bill does require the commission and utilities to prepare analyses, hold hearings, publish dockets and reports, and send customer notices, which would involve administrative work by the commission, relevant agencies, transmission organizations, and utilities.
No publicly available information.
No publicly available information.