Rep. Allen: FERC Forward Capacity Market Decision Will Mean Higher Utility Bills for Maine Consumers
Energy and Commerce Committee Member promises to work with state officials to fight for fairness to Maine families and businesses
Portland, Maine---U.S. Representative Tom Allen, a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, today strongly criticized the decision by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to implement its Forward Market Capacity proposal, its response to ISO New England’s earlier Locational Installed Capacity Proposal (LICAP).
“Maine is a net electricity exporting state, and our families and businesses should not face higher utility bills because electric companies in other states failed to prepare to meet the needs of their customers,” Representative Allen said. “FERC’s decision means Maine consumers will pay more for their electricity in order to subsidize increased capacity in Southern New England. It will result in the largest rate hike for New England energy consumers in history with absolutely no guarantee of development of additional generating capacity to meet future electricity demand. I will continue to work with state officials in Maine and throughout the region to fight this bad decision.”
Today’s action is the latest in a series of decisions by FERC commissioners and a FERC Administrative Law Judge since ISO New England, the regional transmission organization serving Maine, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont, proposed LICAP nearly two years ago. Among those who have voiced their opposition are Maine Governor John Baldacci, Maine Public Advocate Stephen Ward, Maine Public Utilities Commission and Energy East/Central Company.
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