In a joint press statement released on June 12, APPA and the Electric Consumers Resources Council (ELCON), a trade association for large, energy-intensive industries, challenged recent assertions by nine former FERC Commissioners that federal policies to promote organized markets are working to reduce costs for consumers. Those assertions were made in an Open Letter to Policymakers that urged Members of Congress and other lawmakers to continue to support FERC policies promoting market mechanisms.
APPA and ELCON observed that the former FERC officials took a defensive posture about current federal policies and industry problems and said "it would be more helpful to work together to develop constructive market reforms than to deny the real problems that exist" in today's markets.
APPA and ELCON also noted that, "[s]ince many of the Nine Commissioners now are employed or represent companies that are reaping profits from the current power supply markets, they are uniquely positioned to contribute to such a dialogue."