Washington, D.C. – Today, FERC directed PJM to expand the Minimum Offer Price Rule to address unfair state subsidies for certain electric generating resources in its 13-state footprint. America’s Power issued the following statement by Michelle Bloodworth, President and CEO:
“America’s Power supports a level playing field for all electricity resources. For that reason, we commend FERC for taking a significant step in the right direction. However, this step alone does not remedy other major flaws in PJM’s market that are contributing to the loss of fuel-secure coal resources. In the PJM region, coal retirements total more than 36,000 megawatts (MW) of generating capacity through 2020, more than any other ISO/RTO.
In particular, PJM’s market design must be changed to value fuel security the way the market values other attributes. FERC and PJM must ensure that resources are properly compensated for providing fuel security and other resilience attributes. Taking such a step is necessary because of the Commission’s statutory obligation to ensure just and reasonable rates under the Federal Power Act. In addition, we continue to urge the Commission to take action on its almost two-year old resilience docket.”
The nation’s coal fleet helps maintain the reliability and resilience of the electricity grid, produces affordable electricity, contributes to fuel diversity, and provides fuel security.
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America’s Power is a partnership of industries involved in producing electricity from coal.