Rep. Frank J. Mrvan Introduces Utility Affordability and Transparency Act to Protect Consumers from Higher Energy Costs

Washington, DC - Today, Congressman Frank J. Mrvan introduced H.R. 10687, the Utility Affordability and Transparency Act, legislation that would increase transparency for consumers and prevent federal taxpayers and utility ratepayers from being forced to bear the costs associated with reopening or preventing the closure of outdated or expensive power-generating facilities.

The legislation would prohibit the Department of Energy from issuing emergency orders that delay the retirement of power plants or require electric generation from facilities that have already been permanently closed.

The Utility Affordability and Transparency Act would also require the Department of Energy to study alternatives to emergency orders that could reduce net costs to consumers and utilities and publish a publicly available report detailing the estimated costs associated with any emergency order.

Additionally, the legislation would require affected electric utilities to provide customers with information on their monthly bills identifying the additional costs resulting from any federal emergency order.

"Northwest Indiana residents are struggling to make ends meet, and a major part of that burden is the cost of heating and cooling their homes," said Congressman Frank J. Mrvan. "Consumers deserve transparency about what is driving their utility costs and what can be done to lower them.

"Hardworking families should not be forced to pay higher utility rates because the federal government is requiring energy companies to reopen or keep outdated coal-fired generating units operating beyond their planned retirement. When the government intervenes in private-sector business decisions and forces companies to operate facilities that are no longer economically viable, those costs ultimately get passed on to consumers.

"The Utility Affordability and Transparency Act will ensure that the federal government cannot simply prevent or delay the retirement of expensive power plants without accountability for the costs imposed on consumers. Families deserve to know when government policies are increasing their utility bills, why those costs are being imposed, and what alternatives exist to lower them."

The full bill text of the Utility Affordability and Transparency Act is available here.

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