Press Releases

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressional Western Caucus Chairman Doug LaMalfa (CA-01) and Congressman Morgan Griffith (VA-09) released the following statements after H.R. 3632, the Power Plant Reliability Act passed the House by a vote of 222-202.

"Under the previous Administration, cheap and reliable baseload power like natural gas and hydropower was rushed off the grid. Estimates from the North American Electric Reliability Corporation show increased demand. Because of this, expected plant retirements could create a generation gap of more than 250 gigawatts in the next decade," said Chairman LaMalfa. "If States force power plant closures before replacement, energy prices could surge in neighboring States even if they didn’t adopt such misguided policies. Today’s vote advances legislation that will allow FERC to keep power flowing when the grid’s reliability is threatened.”

“Because of radical ‘Green New Deal’ policies that shun reliable forms of energy like natural gas, coal and nuclear, our electric grid faces a brewing crisis of premature baseload power plant retirements. My bill, the Power Plant Reliability Act, will help shield Americans from blackout threats and ensure the reliable delivery of power to American homes, factories and communities. Thanks to strong leaders like Speaker Johnson, Leader Scalise, Whip Emmer, Chairwoman McClain, Chairman Guthrie and Chairwoman Foxx, the United States Congress is focused on supporting affordable and reliable energy solutions for the American people,” said Rep. Griffith. 

Legislative Digest

H.R. 3632, the Power Plant Reliability Act (Rep. Morgan Griffith (VA-09)

• Requires power plant owners and operators to notify FERC, State commissions, and transmission organizations at least five years in advance of a planned shutdown of a power generating unit.
• Allows State commissions and transmission organizations to petition FERC to potentially order power plants to continue generating electricity for up to five years, if retirement of such facilities would threaten the reliability of the bulk power system.
  • Waives Federal, State, and local environmental laws and regulations which conflict with continued operation of facilities under orders from FERC.