A new bill the "Fair Compliance Act" which has been created to provide timelines for utilities to comply with two Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rules recently picked up speed as Senators Joe Manchin and Dan Coats revealed that Chairman of the Senate Republican Policy Committee Senator John Thune (R-S.D.) and Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) have voiced their support for the bill, a recent article revealed. If passed, the legislation would help to protect American jobs, prevent utility rate hikes and ensure the reliability of the electric grid.

In addition, the bill would also require utilities to submit their plans to ensure compliance to the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC (News - Alert)).

"This bipartisan, commonsense bill strikes a balance that will protect American jobs, help prevent utility rate hikes and keep our electric grid stable, and I am glad that our effort is gaining momentum," said Manchin, the lead Democrat sponsor of the bill, in a statement. "The bottom line is this: when it comes to these very costly regulations, we need to reach a middle ground that achieves a balance between our economy and environment." 

"The EPA's irrational rules are forcing utilities providers to choose between exposing their customers to rolling blackouts or exposing themselves to criminal penalties," Moran added. "I am pleased to join Senators Coats and Manchin in supporting this important piece of legislation to allow utilities to continue working on emissions reduction plans while maintaining their ability to provide power to homes and businesses. Utilities providers in the Midwest should be given a compliance period similar to those afforded to other states."

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To see what the future of this legislative action is, be sure to stay tuned to the NERC Compliance channel, exclusively on TMCnet.