David Thomas: “We are trying to ensure transmission grids and delivery of electricity that will be safe and reliable. Consumers need…”

“We are trying to ensure transmission grids and delivery of electricity that will be safe and reliable. Consumers need that. The lights will go on, and they must stay on. The amendment I am offering establishes a nationwide organization that has the authority to establish and enforce reliability standards. The new reliability organization would be run by participants and be overseen by FERC. The idea that somehow there is no authority here is simply not true. The reliability organization would be made up of representatives of everybody affected--residential, commercial, industrial, State, independent power producers, electric utilities, and others, as opposed to only FERC. There is no question but that we need a new system. The question is-- we can do it in different ways--how will we do it? It gives all the responsibility to FERC and sets the standards. We agree that we need protection. It is not whether we need it, but it is how we get it. I think the Daschle bill takes the wrong approach; hence our amendment.”