Brian Willis: 202.253.7486, Brian.Willis@sierraclub.org
WASHINGTON, D.C. - FERC announced a new rulemaking today that would dramatically alter how small clean energy resources are compensated under the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act (PURPA). The proposed changes could have a profound impact on clean energy development across the country, especially in states where monopoly utilities that serve as gatekeepers to electricity customers and the grid.
In response, Mary Anne Hitt, Director of the Sierra Club’s Beyond Coal campaign, released the following statement:
“FERC must treat this rulemaking with the utmost care to ensure that any reform is fair to clean energy developers seeking to compete with dirty, expensive fossil fuel plants. We will be following these proceedings very carefully and urge FERC to move forward with fidelity to PURPA’s intent of promoting energy conservation and greater use of domestic and renewable energy resources. The commission must ensure that any changes are supported by a robust record so as to not stifle innovation, competition, or electricity customers’ access to clean energy.”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3.5 million members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.