House Committee Blocks Funding for Energy Department Plans for PMAs
On April 25, the House Appropriations Committee approved by voice vote an amendment to the fiscal 2013 Energy and Water spending bill that blocks funding for proposed changes that would affect power marketing administrations (PMAs) and their customers. In testimony before the House Committee, NRECA CEO Glenn English raised concerns that the proposed plans would impose high costs on PMAs. Energy Secretary Steven Chu had proposed several initiatives, which called for the PMAs to promote renewable energy, serve as research grounds for cyber security technologies, respond to solar flares and design rate structures that encourage the use of electric vehicles. Both political parties were opposed to the directive, arguing that it took PMAs out of their traditional role as power marketers. Click here for more.
