10 October 2002 The Honorable W.J. Billy Tauzin Dear Representative Tauzin: As energy legislation goes through conference, IEEE-USA requests your support for the electric power reliability language (Title II Sec. 206), as passed by the Senate. This language is vital to promoting and ensuring the sustained reliability of the electric grid in the United States and throughout North America. We recognize that the electricity title of this bill contains some controversial sections and that it has been suggested that Congress discard the entire electricity title. Yet, there is one critical section that properly works to place reliability of electricity at a high priority. Section 206, resulting from the Thomas Amendment that passed in the Senate by a 60-40 vote, provides legislative authority over reliability to FERC and authorizes FERC to create a self-regulating electric reliability organization that will replace the voluntary efforts of industry with mandates for compliance with reliability centered rules and practices. While sharing concerns of others over the future of deregulation, we urge Congress to pass this reliability section of the electricity title even if no other part of the Energy Bill passes in this session of Congress. Without a proper focus on reliability, any benefit from deregulation will certainly be more than off-set by increasing costs associated with the further decline in reliability of the nation's electricity system. Even though electric power accounts for less than 5% of the nation's GDP, the entire economy is at risk when power is continuously disrupted. We urge action now for passage of this needed legislation. IEEE-USA represents approximately 235,000 electrical, electronic, computer and software engineers in the USA. Its Energy Policy Committee consists of members with expertise in all aspects of electrical power, generation, transmission, distribution, and utilization. Sincerely, LeEarl A. Bryant, P.E. Same letter
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