King: Science, not “Ideology” Should Drive National Energy Policy

WASHINGTON, D.C. -U.S. Senator Angus King (I-ME), a senior member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee (ENR), today questioned Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) nominees on their commitment to cost effective, renewable energy technologies. In the hearing with FERC nominees Laura Swett and David LaCerte, King pressed for support to wind and solar energies as they are significantly cheaper energy options than fossil fuels, and swifter to develop. King also asked the nominees about the importance of batteries in the longevity and success of stabilizing the electric grid.

Senator King began his questioning by asking the nominees about the cheapest forms of electricity generation.

Senator King began, "Ms. Swett, what is the cheapest form of electricity generation today in the country?

"Thank you for the question, Senator. I have not looked into that issue, but I am happy to look into it and answer any questions you may have," Swett replied.

Senator King followed up on his question, "Well, I'll help you. It is wind and solar by a mile, by a factor of two. The fellow who left here under difficult circumstances was correct. The cheapest form of energy today is wind and solar by a long shot. Let's take a case study in Iowa. Any idea how much wind power supplies to the electricity supply of Iowa?"

"I don't know the specific number," Swett answered.

"Sixty percent," Senator King responded. "Iowa is the fifteenth lowest electricity cost in the country and in the past year we have already learned average electricity prices across the country have gone up between six percent and ten percent. In Iowa, it has actually gone down a half a percent. The point is: you both have talked about being agnostic. I hope you will hold to that because we cannot ignore the reality around us that this administration is extremely hostile - and that is a mild term - to renewable energy. And the second point - I talked about price - is speed. There is no question that wind and solar are the quickest to deploy. Senator Heinrich mentioned if you wanted a new gas plant today, it would be seven years between permitting and the fact there is a five-year wait time for turbine. A major solar project should go online in a year or a year and a half. So, I just hope that you all will be true to your word today and not follow what amounts to an ideology that says we cannot have wind and solar."

Senator King then asked the nominees about the important role batteries play in transmission and stabilizing the electric grid.

Senator King then asked, "Renewables plus batteries is a baseload, batteries can also have an important role to play in transmission. Ms. Swett, can you discuss that? Stabilizing the grid?"

"Thank you for the question, Senator," Swett responded. "I have not looked into the battery engineering components as they relate to the grid, but I would absolutely be open to any type of technology that would stabilize or enhance our existing grid if I had the honor of being confirmed."

Senator King questioned, "Mr. LaCerte, thoughts on batteries?"

LaCerte replied, "Thank you, Senator. I agree with the premise that batteries could be an important component of increasing the reliability of baseload. I think as our technologies evolve, that those batteries will become more and more efficient and effective. I think it's definitely worth continued monitoring, and usage is something that should be looked at by FERC."

As a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, Senator King has advocated for climate solutions that support Maine communities and has been one of the Senate's most vocal advocates for improving energy technologies and development as a way to unlock America's clean energy future. He has repeatedly emphasized the importance of permitting reform to unlocking the promise of clean energy development opportunities created in the historic Inflation Reduction Act . In addition to a recent discussion with FERC, he has stressed the importance of streamlining and speeding project timelines while maintaining environmental standards to the Secretaries of Energy and Interior.

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