Leaked Draft of Department of Energy’s Power Report Finds Grid is More Reliable Than Ever, Debunking

Washington, D.C. – The Southern Environmental Law Center released the following statement in response to news of a leaked draft report from the Department of Energy on the reliability of the nation’s electricity grid. The report was requested by Secretary Perry in April in a memo that claimed regulatory burdens on “baseload” power resources (coal, natural gas, nuclear, and hydroelectric), along with federal subsidies for renewables, could be creating problems for maintaining the reliability of the grid. The leaked report debunks these claims, but is subject to changes from Secretary Perry and his politically appointed staff before it is approved, possibly later this week.

“The Department of Energy’s leaked report confirms common knowledge about the relationship between increased renewable energy sources and electricity reliability: our grid is more reliable than ever before,” said Katie Ottenweller, Senior Attorney and leader of SELC’s Solar Initiative. “Secretary Perry’s political effort to appease fossil fuel special interests does nothing to change the reality on the ground. Renewable energy is making our grid stronger, our nation safer, our electric bills cheaper and our communities in the Southeast healthier. We urge Secretary Perry to put facts above politics as he and his staff approve the final report. The American public should not be misled: our grid can and will support our nation’s transition to homegrown clean energy.”

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About The Southern Environmental Law Center:

The Southern Environmental Law Center is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. With nine offices across the region (Charlottesville, VA; Chapel Hill, NC; Atlanta, GA; Charleston, SC; Washington, DC; Birmingham, AL; Nashville, TN; Asheville, NC; and Richmond, VA), SELC is widely recognized as the Southeast’s foremost environmental organization and regional leader. SELC works on a full range of environmental issues to protect the South’s natural resources and the health and well-being of all the people in our region. www.SouthernEnvironment.org