On Monday, February 25, Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Olympia Snowe (R-ME), along with Sens. John Kerry (D-MA), Susan Collins (R-ME), Ted Kennedy (D-MA) and Patrick Leahy (D-VT), introduced S. 2660, the "Consumer Protection and Cost Accountability Act." A companion bill in the House is scheduled to be introduced by Rep. Tom Allen (D-ME) this week. NEPPA members have asked their Members of Congress to cosponsor both bills.
The legislation, strongly endorsed by NEPPA, would require the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to ensure that Regional Transmission Organizations/Independent System Operators (RTOs/ISOs) provide electricity at the lowest reasonable cost and that they conduct a cost-benefit analysis when promulgating rules or regulations. NEPPA members, along with other consumer groups, have consistently expressed concerns about increased costs associated with "organized" electricity markets, and have worked with their delegation to advance proposals to improve ISO-NE functions and operations.
In addition to NEPPA, the legislation is supported by the American Public Power Association (APPA), the Electricity Consumers Resource Council (ELCON), the Vermont Public Power Supply Authority (VPPSA), the Ohio Consumers' Counsel, the Burlington Electric Department (BED), Kennebunk Light and Power District, the Maryland Office of People's Counsel, the Massachusetts Municipal Wholesale Electric Company (MMWEC), the Connecticut Municipal Electric Energy Cooperative (CMEEC), the Connecticut Office of Consumer Counsel, the Pascoag Utility District (RI-PUD), the Utility Consumers' Action Network (UCAN), the Maine Public Utilities Commission, and the Maine Public Advocate.