FERC Approves Giving a Vote for the Coal-Supply Chain Within MISO’s Advisory Committee

Washington, D.C. – Today, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) approved a proposal from the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) to give voting rights to the recently created Affiliate Sector within MISO’s Advisory Committee.  By providing a vote to the Affiliate Sector, currently made up by entities representing coal producers, electricity generators, railroads, barge operators and suppliers to the coal industry, along with major industrial users and chambers of commerce, MISO’s Management, Board of Directors, and other stakeholders have helped to ensure the unique perspective of traditional dispatchable power sources are heard as part of the MISO stakeholder process.

America’s Power issued the following statement by Michelle Bloodworth, President and CEO:

“We are pleased that FERC approved MISO’s proposal to provide voting rights to the Affiliate Sector because it recognizes the importance of eventually ensuring the entire coal supply chain has a full and equal voice in the grid operator’s stakeholder process.  MISO’s coal fleet, which provides reliable dispatchable power across the 15 states within their service territory, is the largest in the country, representing nearly one fourth of the nation’s coal fleet,” said Michelle Bloodworth, President and CEO of America’s Power. “We commend MISO’s Management and Board of Directors for taking this step and recognizing the need to hear from our unique voice as they contemplate the reforms necessary to ensure their grid remains both resilient and reliable and energy remains affordable in this time of transition away from traditional dispatchable sources. America’s Power looks forward to working with the other 20 members of the Affiliate Sector to respectfully encourage MISO to pursue policies that properly value the attributes of their coal fleet and the entire coal supply chain because of the important role they play in supporting the reliability and resilience of the electric grid,” continued Ms. Bloodworth.