Sen. Marshall and Rep. Davids Call on FERC to Consider Gov. Kelly’s Emergency Request

(Washington, D.C., February 22, 2021) – Today, U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. and U.S. Congresswoman Sharice Davids sent a letter to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Chairman, Richard Glick asking him to consider expeditiously Governor Laura Kelly’s emergency request to protect Kansans from the potentially severe economic consequences following the arctic blast last week. Additionally, they asked Chairman Glick to review all relevant circumstances of this situation and take the necessary steps needed to address this crisis, and take timely steps to see that energy service is reliable and affordable no matter the freezing temperatures. In part, the letter reads:

“The prolonged and widespread cold put outsized pressure on our nation’s natural gas supply… Governor Kelly, the Chairman of the KCC, and other Commissioners of the KCC have now submitted a request with the goal of protecting customers from the potentially severe economic consequences of this event. In Kansas, we are especially concerned that energy service is reliable and affordable.  We are keen to ensure that the integrity of energy markets is never compromised. We ask you to consider her request expeditiously. We also request that you review all relevant circumstances of this situation and take the necessary steps needed to address this crisis, and take timely steps to see that it does not recur.”

Full Text of Letter:

February 23, 2021

The Honorable Richard Glick, Chairman
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
888 First Street, NE
Washington, D.C. 20426

Dear Chairman Glick,

For more than a week, Kansas and multiple states across the Great Plains and surrounding region was hit with an arctic blast, with temperatures in Kansas setting new record-lows. The prolonged and widespread cold put outsized pressure on our nation’s natural gas supply. On February 8, natural gas traded for $3 MMBTus. On the 17th, that number ranged between $129 and $622 MMBTus. That put costs at more than 2000% to 20,000% their normal levels. Natural gas makes up more than a third of Kansas’s energy portfolio, making it a primary source of energy for many Kansas homes and businesses.

Kansas Governor Laura Kelly issued a state disaster declaration and the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) issued an emergency order directing utilities to do everything possible and necessary to ensure continued delivery of natural gas, propane and electricity to Kansas customers. Kansas companies had their power cut and Kansans experienced rolling blackouts.

Governor Kelly, the Chairman of the KCC, and other Commissioners of the KCC have now submitted a request with the goal of protecting customers from the potentially severe economic consequences of this event. In Kansas, we are especially concerned that energy service is reliable and affordable.  We are keen to ensure that the integrity of energy markets is never compromised. We ask you to consider her request expeditiously. We also request that you review all relevant circumstances of this situation and take the necessary steps needed to address this crisis, and take timely steps to see that it does not recur.

Thank you for your attention to this matter and timely consideration of Governor Kelly’s request. Please call or write our offices should you need additional information, or if we can be of further assistance.

Sincerely,

Roger Marshall, M.D.

United States Senator

Sharice Davids
U.S. Representative

Cc: Commissioner Chatterjee
Commissioner Danly
Commissioner Clements
Commissioner Christie

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