Press Release

DENVER -- Gov. Jane Dee Hull of Arizona, chairman of the Western Governors’ Association, issued the following statement following Senate adoption of an amendment that would ensure a regional role in the development and enforcement of reliability standards for each electrically distinct region and its consumers.  The governors have long advocated with Congress and the Administration measures contained in the reliability amendment.  It was sponsored by Sen. Craig Thomas of Wyoming and adopted today by a voice vote after Thomas won a 60-vote plurality on a procedural vote to continue.

“This provision is good news for consumers and for industry because it ensures the reliability of our electricity grid will be decided by regional bodies closest to those who must pay for the electricity, and those decisions cannot be dictated by any single segment of the power industry.  The amendment also accommodates the international nature of our Western electric grid, which includes portions of Canada and Mexico,” Hull said.

“The West has more than 30 years of success in maintaining the reliability of our system.  There was no evidence supporting the notion that those decisions should be turned over to Federal Energy Regulatory Commission -- an entity thousands of miles away from the people and businesses that would be most affected. 

“I thank Sen. Craig Thomas of Wyoming for his leadership in bringing this amendment to the floor and all those in the Senate who supported him.”  

Letters of support were sent to the amendment co-sponsors and those members who voted to waive the budget point of order, which assured the adoption of the amendment.  (Click here for a list of co-sponsors and those who voted in support.)

National organizations that supported the amendment include the North American Electric Reliability Council, the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners, the Western electricity industry through the Western Interconnection Coordination Forum, the American Public Power Association, the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, and the Canadian Electricity Association.

The Western Governors’ Association is an independent, nonprofit organization representing the governors of 18 states and three U.S.-Flag islands in the Pacific. Through their Association, the Western governors identify and address key policy and governance issues in natural resources, the environment, human services, economic development, international relations and public management.

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