Bobby Rush

The economic consulting firm Rhodium Group concluded that Maria cost 1.25 billion hours of electricity supply disruption to households, which they say is the longest disruption in recorded history.

The Governor says he was unaware of this contract.

Hurricanes Irma and Maria exposed the vulnerability of the Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands electric grids to extreme weather.

More than six weeks after Hurricane Maria initially made landfall, nearly 70 percent of Puerto Rico and 80 percent of the U.S. Virgin Islands still lack the power needed for basic everyday services.

It is my hope that this hearing will shed light on what additional steps need to be taken quickly to restore power.

It is over a month now that Hurricanes Harvey and Irma and Maria shattered their lives and devastated their livelihoods.

I hope this will not be a 'one and done' hearing.

What is the future of that office under your administration, the Office of Economic Impact and Diversity?

No, not for Vice Chair, Mr. Chairman, I wouldn't switch parties just to become a Vice Chair.

Many, many in this room, plus DOE, are in the difficult position of unfairly and unjustly picking winners and losers, and placing the interests of select industries above the public interest.

FERC and DOE have become too tolerant of the RTOs' ability to shut out public interests.

The whole process for reforming energy markets have become more and more complex, while at the same time consumer voices have been diluted.

Many consumer advocacy groups believe that the RTOs are too beholden to the utilities than they are trying to administrate.

Consumers do not have the opportunity to fairly participate of all the developments taking place within the energy markets.

It is vital that we hear from people who are being impacted the most, consumers and retailers.

It is important to understand that consumers are also driving many of the trends we see taking place in the electricity market.

I must also note, Mr. Chairman, that we are holding this hearing in the midst of National Clean Energy Week.

I want to thank you for holding this important hearing today, Examining Technology's Role in Empowering Consumers.

In your professional opinion, do you anticipate that climate change will continue to play a significant role in threatening the Nation's energy infrastructure due to more frequently occurring superstorms, hurricanes, and other natural…

I think these informative discussions greatly benefit all of our members and will also help us make better, more informed decisions when determining whether we need to update the Federal Power Act or leave it as it is.

I want to thank you, Mr. Chairman, for holding this important hearing today examining the operation and effectiveness of the nation's wholesale electricity markets.

Consumers are driving many of these changes as they demand new tools to more responsibly use energy both as a way to save money and as a way to save their environment.

Whether spurred by state and federal policy, marketing forces, or consumer demands and behavior, we have seen significant new trends taking place in the electricity market.

I think there is a case to be made for a mechanism that would really review these things with the kind of representation that is deserved.

I want to thank Mr. Pallone and Mr. Green for their willingness to work with us on all of these efforts.