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Today, Congressman Bob Latta (R-OH5), the Committee on Energy and Commerce’s Subcommittee on Energy Chairman held a hearing named Keeping the Lights On: Examining the State of Regional Grid Reliability. Witnesses included Mr. Manu Asthana, President and Chief Executive Officer, PJM Interconnection, LLC; Ms. Jennifer Curran, Senior Vice President for Planning and Operations, Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO); Mr. Richard J. Dewey, President and Chief Executive Officer, New York Independent System Operator (NYISO); Mr. Elliot Mainzer, President and Chief Executive Officer, California Independent System Operator (CASIO); Mr. Lanny Nickell, Chief Operating Officer, Southwest Power Pool (SPP); Mr. Gordon van Welie, President and Chief Executive Officer, Independent System Operator New England (ISONE); and Mr. Pablo Vegas, President and Chief Executive Officer, Electric Reliability Council of Texas, Inc. (ERCOT).

In response to questions from Latta, every single witness said America needs more energy produced to meet the growing need.

“Today’s grid operators made it clear that America needs more energy to be produced to keep up with our growing needs not just for consumers, but for the many small businesses, manufacturers, agriculture industry, and medical facilities that employ them," Latta said. "Too many electric-generating facilities have been retired in recent years while new and emerging technologies are increasing the need. It is critical that we meet the growing demand for power, the need to secure it, and address the reliability challenges confronting our electric industry.”

To see Latta’s opening remarks, click here.

To see Latta’s questions for today’s witnesses, click here.