Tina Smith: “In short, SMD was bad for the consumers of Oregon, particularly those in rural areas. Led by the Senate, this Congress…”

“In short, SMD was bad for the consumers of Oregon, particularly those in rural areas. Led by the Senate, this Congress has taken the extraordinary step in this bill of blocking FERC from continuing with this rulemaking that would have been so harmful to so many areas of the country. Unfortunately, the SMD is only part of a FERC vision for restructuring the wholesale electricity industry in a way that puts consumers at risk. FERC appears bent on 'competition at all costs,' regardless of the costs to consumers, and without justifying the need for its draconian proposals. We have stopped SMD in this legislation, but other proposals are out there. Even now, utilities in the Northwest are concerned that they will once again be harmed by California's efforts to get FERC approval for new market structures under what is commonly known as MDO2. We cannot continue to legislate against specific FERC proposals for market design. I do hope that FERC gets the message we are sending them, however. The goal of Federal policy, which I believe is furthered by this electricity title, is to promote universal access to electricity at affordable prices. Electricity is too fundamental to our lives, and to this Nation's economic well-being to be subjected to radical experiments, such as the one proposed by SMD. In closing, Mr. President, I congratulate Senator Domenici and Senator Grassley for their leadership in crafting this important legislation.”