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Fmr. Gov. Perry: FERC Proposal Would Stall Energy Dominance

In a recent op-ed, former Texas Governor and U.S. Secretary of Energy, Rick Perry shares his disappointment over the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (FERC) new notice of inquiry. FERC’s proposed changes to the Federal Power Act would upend the existing framework “for granting blanket authorizations” to investment companies, requiring additional oversight for investments exceeding $10 million, thus deterring critical capital flows. As Gov. Perry puts it, “at a time when the nation’s energy infrastructure demands urgent investment, such changes could set us back significantly.” America’s energy infrastructure needs upgrades instead of regulatory hurdles risking progress, Perry argues.

Although Donald Trump’s historic presidential victory signifies a renewal of American energy dominance, and his administration seeks to position the United States as a global energy leader, achieving this will require reducing bureaucratic hurdles and unlocking private capital across all sectors.

Industry leaders, such as the Electric Power Supply Association, Edison Electric Institute and the American Council on Renewable Energy, are concerned that these changes could significantly increase costs for investors and utilities. In a joint letter, the groups stated, “unnecessarily deterring or raising the costs of investment…works directly counter to [FERC’s] mission to ensure just and reasonable rates.”

With power demand at an all-time high, and demand forecasts reaching unprecedented levels driven by data centers, AI, and manufacturing, streamlining investment is essential. Artificial roadblocks to critical projects like pipelines are unnecessary and could place energy reliability in a dire situation. As Perry argues, FERC should abandon its proposed notices and focus on empowering the future of American energy. The policy priority should be enabling U.S. energy independence and secure its spot as a global energy leader.

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