CONGRESSWOMAN BARBARA LEE, CONGRESSIONAL PROGRESSIVE CAUCUS SUPPORT COST-BASED WHOLESALE PRICING
Washington, DC - Congressional Progressive Caucus Vice Chair Barbara Lee (D-CA), joined her caucus colleagues today in
support of cost-based wholesale pricing as part of a comprehensive national energy policy that protects consumers, promotes
conservation, and provides consistent, reliable power.
The proposed legislation will insulate consumers from the ravages
of unjust prices, but will not deny producers legitimate profits.
It will establish cost-based rates set by the Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission to reflect the cost of generation plus a
reasonable profit for generators.
"In California we are in the midst of a real energy crisis and consumers are paying the price. We have experienced blackouts
and skyrocketing prices that threaten both the public health and the
state economy," said Lee. "While we may be the first state
to experience the full impact of this crisis, California will not be
the last, because energy is not a state issue, but a regional and
national problem that we must address today. Energy is a vital necessity, and we cannot force senior citizens to choose
between paying their utility bills and buying groceries so that power generators can reap enormous profits."
Cost-based wholesale pricing is one component of the Progressive Caucus Energy Plan, which will protect consumers, increase
research and development for alternative energy sources, and protect against common market power abuses.
"We must begin by protecting consumers by enacting cost-based whole sale pricing so that power companies cannot take
advantage of winter cold snaps or summer heat waves to increase
prices," said Lee. "We do not want to deny reasonable profits,
just prevent unjust prices."
"The answer to our energy problems does not lie beneath the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, but MUCH closer to home," said
Lee. "It will be found in a comprehensive, forward-thinking national energy policy that protects Americans and safeguards our
planet."
###