Regulatory commission. Its just under an hour. Come to order. Good morning, and welcome. We find ourselves this morning with a bit of challenge. On the house floor. Votes may start within five minutes. Multiple roll call votes. Maybe up to one and a half hours voting on the house floor. In the interest of time, i had the great Opening Statement written by my texas constituent, i will not give it. But ask to put that in the record. Without objection, so ordered. Speakers put your statement in the record. For the record, moving forward we are three witnesses here. We have mr. , miss hofman. You have five minutes for Opening Statement. The head of ferk. You have five minutes. Thank you, mr. Chairman. Ranking member rush. Members for the opportunity to be here today. Before i begin my remarks i want to briefly reflect on the passing of senator. Who passed away yesterday. Former chairman of the energy committee. A leader in the space and he will be remembered. Id like to start by taking a moment to acknowledge all those impacted by Hurricane Harvey and irma. The loss of life and widespread devastation rocked by the storms has been heartbreaking to see. I know i speak on behalf of those in the room and for americans across the country when i say our thoughts and prayers are with those affected at this time. We know the road ahead will not be easy. We will be with you every step of the way. It was good to see congress act swiftly to begin providing resources that are needed to those relying on it. We at the federal Energy Regulatory commission are ready to do our part as well. Its times like these that also remind us how important the reliability and resilience si of the electric grid is in the daytoday lives. Rebuilding from the storms is going to take time. I have been inspired by the way the brave men and women of the Utility Industry have already stepped forward to help. Crews from all over the country are assisting in this effort. In addition, ferk and narc issued a a joint statement to provide assistance and wont be penalized for restoring service. Extension on filing deadlines so people and companies could focus on whats most important. Recovery. And finally in response to the loss of refineries due to the storm, the commission issued an emergency pipeline waiver to accelerate the delivery of much needed fuel and help ensure continued flow of gasoline to the northeast. We will continue to keep all those effected in our prayers. As they work to rebuild homes and lives. While this is a transformation period for the electric power industry. Developments not threaten the robustness or security of electric grid. We support the grid in several ways. Congress and entrusted with the responsibility to improve and enforce mandatory reliability in 2005. To develop and propose new or modified reliability standards. These standards include physical and Cyber Security standards. Much of this is covered in my written testimony. So in the interest of time, i am going to speed ahead and say that reliable and resilient grid requires the development of needed Energy Infrastructure. Ferk supports that development. To authorize the construction of Certain Energy infrastructure such as interstate Natural Gas Pipelines and hydro power generation. While the lack of a for ferk is now addressing the backlog and will continue to make steady progress in the coming weeks and months. Im proud to report that since the restoration of the, we have put out 62 orders and will continue to to do that. Certainly efforts in all the areas covered in my written testimony, will continue to involve cross sector inner agency and Public Private coordination. Working with federal partner, state leagues, and other stake holders. Ensure the reliability and of the electric grid. Ip committed to working with the subcommittee to continue the efforts and i would like to reiterate my appreciation for holding this critical hearing. Thank you the opportunity to be with you today. I apologize for the abbreviated remarks and ill be happy to answer questions you have. The chair calls upon miss hofman. Acting secretary of the office of electricity at the department of energy. You have five minutes, maam. Chairman, vice chairman, i appreciate the opportunity to discuss with you electric reliability issues in a rapidly transforming industry. U. S. Electric sector is in the middle of sweeping changes. I see little reason to expect this process will slow down or that well reach new equilibrium any time soon. To understand the process and manage it. So that our nation electric infrastructure maintains reliable, affordable and resilient. Before i discuss any further details i would like to echo the comments by chairman. And our thought ands prayers are there for those affected. Our Organization Also provides Energy Related expertise to fe ma. And the add. We have been actively engaged in the response, recovery and rebuilding efforts from Hurricane Harvey and irma. The actions of the departments have taken is in support of a whole government of response to the disasters. And includes deploying 26 people to federal, state Emergency Operation centers. Regional and National Response coordination centers. We have authorized up to 5. 3 Million Barrels o oil for exchange from the reserve. We have supported state and regional fuel waivers under the jurisdiction of epa and hosted coordination calls with deo and Emergency Response personnel. And state energy offices. Secretary noted on numerous occasions, america is blessed to have the Incredible Energy system and resources we have today. The millions of dedicated men and women who work in the electric industry and are providing response activity to restore power to move fuel and repair infrastructure. Is doing a tremendous job and should be recognized for their dedication and service. Over the last several months doe explored numerous issues central to protecting the long term reliability and resilience of the grid. We are seeking to inform policy makers of the facts and friends in the sector. And provide a common focal point of discussion for all affected stake holders. In addition we do research at our National Laboratory within our industry partner. We have focussed on new technology for operating, planning and monitor skpg protecting the grid. The department announced on tuesday up to 50 million to National Laboratory led teams. Focussed on resilience and Cyber Security. In order to keep my comments short i just want to say in conclusion, secretary and our team look forward to a thoughtful conversation focussed on reliability, affordability, and resilience in the electric system. The implications are profound and we have one electric grid. We are more dependent on it than ever for economic well being and national security. The grid must function and function well. In that it must meeber of competing technical and economic requirements. For me managing this change means we must think about the grid wholistically and a single set of policies. We must monitor the characteristics and performance. We need to develop a more systemic way of looking ahead. And we must manage change with new processes and practices for collaboration. That requires coordination between the federal and private s sector partners. We call upon the president and ce, of the north American Electric reliability corporation. You have five minutes, sir. Thank you. Thank you for conducting this hearing as we face a period of rapid change in the electricity industry. Driven by natural gas, public policy, advances in technology, Market Forces and customer preferences. This transition is altering our understanding of power and how generating resources are dispatched. As the electric reliability organize is focussed on the emerging challenges presented by the rapidly changing resource mission. With appropriate policy, careful planning and strong actions, im confident the Electricity Sector will continue to accommodate changes and enhance reliability and resilience. Even with the changes already under way the power system remains highly reliable and resilience. Shows improved performance each year. This record demonstrates the strong commitment to reliability by all stake holders. Reliability requires constant vigilance more now than ever. Let me take a moment to describe the role in risk before they become bigger problems. Each year we conduct a long term reliability assessment that looks at the relinlt of a system ten years out. We conduct a report that looks at the grid performance over the previous year. We conduct special assessments focussed on challenges, such as the integration of renewable and distributed Energy Resource and the increase reliance on natural Gas Infrastructure. Wi analyze system events such as the unexpected loss of power from solar forum in california during the blue cut fire in august of 2016. Over the past six years, the 50 largest events in impacting the grid were caused by Severe Weather. Leading to focus on resilience Going Forward. We were able to provide risk informed rejss to improve reliability. Id like to turn to how the changing resource mix will effect reliability. The grid is inner connected and depends on the right beginnings of resources and trance mission. Its important to maintain a continuous supply of services in the right location on the system. Just a few examples these include inertia, frequency response, voltage control, stability and changes in demand and have historically provided these essential Reliability Services. When the units retire. New resources coming onto the system must replace the essential Reliability Services that are lost. As more resources move behind the meter, its increaseingly important for system operator to have visibility into the resources. As pour supply becomes dependent on natural gas, must ensure this in time fuel is as reliable and secure as the power plants that need to fuel to operate. Many issues and rejss identify are reflected in doe staff report on electricity market and stable. The study agrees on the need to main ta essential reliability service. Promote resilience and clab rat with canada and mexico on reliability. More specifically id tlik highlight several recommendations of my own. Review the economic and market factors driving base Load Generation into early retirement. And provide tangible incentive for maintaining a deverse mix. Markets should value and price capacity, essential Reliability Services, and enhance resilience through fuel diversity. Policy makers should evaluate alternatives for ensures adequate capacity of Gas Pipelines and storage. To meet electricity production needs during extreme conditions and ensure Gas Infrastructure is as secure from cyber and physical security threats as the grid that it supplies. Markets should incent and as needed require all resources including demand response ensure the resources will perform in normal and extreme conditions. Policy makers should seek alternatives to streamline permitting of transmission. To address the challenges and benefits of a diverse resource mix, industry stake holders and policy makers must understand and plan for the risk of our rapidly changing resource fleet. Network plays a critical role. I appreciate the opportunity to share our thoughts and expertise with you today. Thank you. Thank you. The chair calls upon the Ranking Member of the full committee. For five minutes. Mr. Chairman, ill submit any statement for the record. My understanding is that theyre going to be votes. And ill just submit it for the record. Unanimous consent. Without objection . So ordered. Thank you for your testimony. I will begin the question, answer portion of the hearing. Ill begin with the question. Recognize myself for five minutes. Hurricane harvey hit my home state twice. But we never lost power. In my home in sugar land. Some people are still without power in tkts texas, louisiana and florida. Because of hurricane irma. Without power, theres much greater damage. Mold, even death we saw in florida. My first question is for you mrs. Hofman. I know that deo has been busy assisting with Hurricane Harvey and irma recovery efforts. We applaud that. But can you talk a second about the programs doe has in place. Not only to recover but to also prepare for storm events in the future. Thank you very much for the question. The department has been actively engaged with utilities to the program. To look at advance technology that we have helped support the industry. Test out on the grid. Such as automated switching. Rerouting of power, the ability for utilities to do outage management. To really take a look at and be proactive in the response characteristic for identifying where the outages are. If you remember customers usually have to call the utility to let them know the power is out. The utilities have been able to automate a lot of the systems. In addition we have been working with the state and the region to exercise and understand the different. Each hurricane is different. The damage is significant. We have been helping the states reprepare for this. Thank you. Whats been the role of the escc. During hurricane preparation in response . The coordinating counsel has had a significant role. The focal point of coordination between the federal government and ceo. The leaders in the electric Utility Industry. This allows for continuity of message and activity. That were all on the same page on what the priorities are. And what the activities and the needs are by industry to the highest level of the federal government as well as industry in supporting a coordinated by importantly Effective Restoration process. Back home people say its working very well. Glad to hear. Final question is a few months ago we passed a bill, hr 3050 that helps improve planning. How does a plan help a state deal with extreme weather events like harvey, irma and more hurricanes . So Energy Assurance planning is an important activity that the state under take to really take a hard look at scenarios of potential events that impact the stay. Also look at how this effects. Energy resources. It allows us to look at contingency and thinks about how do we build in resilience. In partnership with the state. Thank you. My last question for you chairman chatter ji. In order to have a reliable electricity system, we must protect our grid from Cyber Security threat. For example, i understand you participate in the grid exexercises. How do the types of exercises make the electricity system more reliable . What elts are you doing in terms of Cyber Security. Thank you for the question. The commission and i myself take Cyber Security and protecting our grid Cyber Attacks very seriously. Ferk is focussed on ensuring reliability in the face of some of the cyber challenges that we have. We have an office of Energy Infrastructure security. That is trying to stay ahead of potential threats to the grid. And participate in some of the activities. Theres no question that threats to our system of Electricity Generation distribution whether from hurricanes or from Cyber Attacks are of the utmost concern of the commission. I will continue to work with you all and my colleagues to ensure the safety or our grid. Thank you. Thats all my questions. We call upon the gentleman from illinois. Mr. Rush for five minutes. Thank you. Ill go down the all three of you. The first question, in your professional opinion, do you anticipate that Climate Change will continue to play a significant role in threatening the nations Energy Infrastructure . Due to more frequently occurring superstorms, hurricanes, and other natural disasters, including heat waves, drought, fire and flood . Each one of you id like for you to respond. I think its important as we confront these storms, and the impacts they had on the grid that we ensure that as our grid transforms for the future that we ensure that we can bounce back from these types of events. And have a really reliable and resilient grid. As the vice chairman mentioned when the power goes out, people really suffer. I was on a call with secretary perry. He talked about the fact that after a couple of days, youre hot, tired. Youre wet sdp if you dont have power you get upset. Its important that in response to these weather challenges that we have a reliable and resilient grid. I think the role of the commission will be to look as we are in this transformation period. That we ensure that the reliability the world class second to none reliability that our country has enjoyed can be maintained Going Forward. Miss hofman. I would echo the comments. I believe its the duty and responsibility of the electric industry to be forward leaning and think about different scenarios and events that will happen. Build off the Knowledge Base of what we have experienced and look about how to build in resilience moving forward. What can we do to infrastructure to support a prosds to getting the lights on as quickly as possible. So understanding Climate Change is outside of my expertise. We do see in recent years in my time, eight years. We are seeing an increase in the magnitude and severity of events, flooding and storms, and something as the other two mention, we have to think about in the design of the system and preparation to think about how do we prepare for more extremes than we have seen historically. Do you feel as though theres a sense of urgency apparent in the congress. Or in the both administrations . Or the administration being republican or democrat. Is there a sense of urgency about reliability and Severe Weather challenges . I can speak that i laid out in my opening remarks some of the steps that the federal Energy Regulatory commission took immediately to respond to the deaf station that was rocked by Hurricane Harvey and irma. I can say we most certainly view the reliability and resilience of the grid with the utmost sense of urgency. Two cat four hurricanes impacting the mainland of the United States theres definitely a sense of urgency. Senator perry recognizes the devastation to life and the Economic Development in human safety. So it is definitely forefront on the radar. I sense that theres been a strong focus on resilience of the grid. Through both most recent administration and working hard. Were working hard on that. Example of the investment and the reason is my opening remarks i mention the 50 most significant events we have seen in the u. S. In the last five years are all weather related. So we can invest more in hardening and preking our system. Florida power and light in irma had recently invested 3 billion on hardening using concrete poles, steel poles, elevating substations and making the equipment that was hardened performed significantly better. It was a good demonstration. I have a short period of time. I want to ask again, according to to the Cyber Security firm corporation, theres been an up tick in activity code name dragon fly 20. Im sorry, dragon fly 2. 0. Within the Domestic Energy net work. After years of being enacted. Our you monitoring this activity. Are you confident you have the tools to address this issue in order to prevent this movement from sabotaging or electric infrastructure . Thank you for the question. Congressman. We are aware of the report. And have been coordinating cloetsly with other federally agencies as well as the network. And industry to assess and address this matter as appropriate. If it would be helpful to members rkts we can seek to coordinate with other agencies to provide Additional Information in a nonpublic setting. Dragon fly has been around for three or four years. We have been aware of it communicating with the industry. This reincarnation is recent. It hads karkistics that would make it operative within control systems within substations and so on. It was of interest. Its not the instances that we have seen have not gotten into the systems. They were picked up through traffic between the utility system and information going offshore. So, it has not done any harm. Its not infiltrated the system yet. Its there and active. I yield back. The chair calls upon the gentleman from texas. The chairman of the full committee. Vice chairman mr. Barten. Please adhere to the five minute time. We have so many people and questions. Because what you just said im going ask one question. And i yield to anybody. Many, many states are adopting renewable port foal yore standards in some of them are fairly aggressive. They want to have at least 50 in their maybe a few states or above that. Electricity generation with renewables. My question i guess would be to mr. Kolly. Is it possible to meet the same reliability standards if you go to a Generation System that is predominantly renewable . I think from what were seeing its technically feasible. There are reliability challenges. I gave the example of august a year ago in california. It was a wild fire caused a transmission line to trip when 1,200 megawatts of solar panels saw that. They thought it was the system collapsing. They shut down at worst time. There has to be coordination. Wind and solar do not inherently come with the controls to provide frequency response, they want to put out megawatts. And put out power. Technically, we have been working with the vendors to show them some of the weaknesses and things that need to be done. In the short term the answer is no, its not possible. In the long term with Battery Research and other things, it is possible. The technology is there today. Just requires a lot of coordination. Okay. I would yield. Thank you, joe. I was on the same line. On we had the qualifying facilities hearing last week or two weeks ago. Just a couple questions that seg way into what joe was saying. The one is the some of the electricity markets talked about how that there maybe a need to an opportunity to curtail the qs to make sure they continue to keep the reliability of the grid. Do you have comments on that . I want to be careful, congressman. We have. I dont want you to be careful. As you know, congress enacted her pa in 1978. I think we have heard from numerous stake holders theres an interest in reviewing potential reform. Significant changes to per pa would require congressional action. There are steps that ferk can take with respect to implementation on minor issues. We held a Technical Conference on this. But i think do you understand theres a concern that maybe some of the projects are located for the benefit of the investors over the grid reliability . It certainly something that we are looking at. Let me follow up. The last mild debate hopefully you listened or saw part of the testimony. Yes, sir. The some of the qualifying facilities were able to break down the parcels to gain system. Is that part of your review and discussion . It absolutely is. And it is something we would review so see if that is something the commission can handle. Not require a statutory change from congress. Ill be happy to yield to any other member. If not, i yield back to you. Calls upon the Ranking Member of the full committee. From new jersey. Id like to yield my time to the gentlewoman from florida. I thank the Ranking Member. Thank you to the witnesses for being here today. I want to thank the utility workers all across the country who have flooded into florida. I know they did into texas to help get the power back on after millions and millions of my neighbors in florida lost power. My hats off to them. They have work to do. But theyre making good progress. I think the extreme weather events these two hurricanes in addition to other events we have seen just in the past few years, require a modern dramatic response to what is happening. With the cost of the changing climate. These disasters are very expensive. It is time make a dramatic investment in a modern grid. Something that is more resilient, something that serves the need of our citizens in a better way. We have the brightest mind here in america. We need to put them to work. And we need to put the technology to work. Whether thats burying lines that we have not invested in before. Greater distributed energy grid. Building in the renewables over time. I agree theyre not the answer in the short term. In the long term these distributed grids building in renewable energy. Is going to help us reduce the cost of the changing climate. We have to do more on demand management. That has been a battle in the past. And there are some challenges. We have got to do this. The Business Models in many states simply do not match. The challenges ahead of us. And i hear that the department of energy wants to be proactive on this. I dont know how we do that. When we have seen such tremendous proposed cuts from the trump administration. In resilience, in research. We have got to rethink that. Im calling on all colleagues who have who understand the challenges ahead. If we cant simply cut our way and think were going to be able to certainly these cuts proposed cuts to research and development and resiliency will put us further behind. How do we keep up in an era where we need to be investing more in a modern grid to make sure we dont have the Power Outages and addressing the cost of the changing climate. Thank you for the question. The administration is focussed and its budget on early stage research. We really are concentrating on maximizing the effectiveness of work at the department of energy. We did provide a budget to congress for. Its under deliberation for the house and senate. And we look forward to what congress provides back for what the department will implement as part of 18 appropriation. Its back on the congress. In a lot of ways. I hope they are listening and understanding the huge cost if we do not address this. Look at what were facing already in emergency aid packages, flood insurance, rising property insurance, property taxes, because local governments have to raise taxes to harden their water waste infrastructure and everything theyre doing. Just the loss of life that were seeing. My message this morning on the heels of disasters is lets do more working together. Everyone the Utility Industry, the scientists we have out there, and take this on. This is a real call to action. I share mr. Rushs sense of urgency. As he put it. Thank you. I yield back. Call upon the gentleman from north dakota. For five minutes. Thank you witnesses for your service and for being with us today. Im going to ask of the chairman first, as the policy leaders here, we need to respond to a to establish a path for base Load Generation. Especially called the big coal producing state. Its low cost. Its efficient. I worry about the early shut down the forced shut down of base Load Generation that especially with plants that have useful life yet in them. And it really doesnt do anything in my view to protect Americas Future Energy position while increasing the cost of electricity for consumers. Of course my state, most of the plants are blocked to vertically integrated utility. Which has a special concern. Where the consumers pay for the facility. Whether they are running or not. This gets lost. Can you elaborate from a ferk perspective on strategies you can deploy that would help compensate base Load Generation . Thank you for the question, senator. It happens a lot, lately. Thank you if the question. Obviously, being from kentucky and having grown up in kentucky, i have seen firsthand the importance of coal fire generation. And what coal generation means for the delivery of not just affordable but reliable electricity. And certainly growing up seeing that, i have a appreciation for the role that coal fire generation plays in the marketplace. In terms of what strategies are path forward, the commission is fuel neutral. We will look to ensure that as our grid under goes this transformation, we have ensure that we evaluate the at tributes of fuel sources to see what values they provide and see what if theres a demonstrated need for reliability, whether or not those things can be compensated. I believe the democratic nominee for the vacancy on the commission testified to this last week. He said that while currently per the doe report, he believed there was not threat to reliability. He admitted we had to closely mop tor this and watch this. I echo those remarks. Well closely watch and monitor whether in fact transitions in the grid do lead to vulnerability and threat. Whether in fact we would need to take steps to ensure the need is met. Thank you for that. Along the same line, a loft states had taken steps to work around Market Solutions to preserve the plants. And the benefits. In most cases these efforts have been challenged. Understandably they have been contested on the basis they under mine your authority. How can we deal with the, how should we deal with this . Or will it be litigation or regulation by litigation. Certainly its within states. I believe in states rights and its their prerogative to determine their sourtss of generation. When it effects interstate commerce and does have threats to reliability, i think ferk has the authority to weigh in. It will be something that we will look at closely and carefully. And build a record. Adhere to the science and engineering and technology of the grid. And make those careful determinations. Thank you, and congratulations by the way. In my remaining minute, maybe talk about the role of coal Going Forward again especially if with the new technology thats being developed for cleaner coal, few emissions and carbon utilization. All the technologies that are promising, but at this point not quite to marketability. At the same time, i guess me question, how can doe find ways to build the bridge . I call it a bridge using the existing tools of expanding. Especially considering we have tax reform coming up. Do you see way for doe and congress to work to build a bridge to that ultimate future of cleaning coal . So congressman would love to continue with you on an exploring additional ideas. Through the research program. Well continue to invest in advancement and coal technology. Utilization of coal. Looking at job growth and opportunity to support the coal industry. Other things that wed like to be able to recognize is the value of the coal brings as the study brought out and can it be compensated for the services it provides preekt si support, frequency response, fuel diversity. Good report. I appreciate it. Thanks all of you. The chair calls upon a gentleman from california. I thank the chairman and the witnesses. I want to bring to mr. Crammers attention. North dakota had the biggest wind potential resource of any state n. Country. Dont discount alternative energy in the north dakota. I want to follow up a bit on mr. Caster. We need to build more resilience into the electric grid, we need to acknowledge chi math change. That is a driver. Its not the only driver. Cyber issues and physical threats. As koe cochair of the by partisan grid innovation caucus, our mission is to move forward in that to get the congress excited about a grid innovation and resilience. So lets keep that line of communication open. I want to start about the question with a disaster. When di sathsers strike like the hurricanes, there are utility sharing resources, but i want to know are there barriers to the sharing of resources between utility tlas we can address here . Thank you, congressman for the question. The biggest barrier is allowing the resources get to get to the location of where it needs to be. As quickly as possible. Physical barrier. Physical movement. Other barriers and other things that were trying to do is accelerate the assessment time period. Which goes down to information sharing as part of the Public Private partnership. So we understand exactly what the damage is so we can move resources to respond. Thank you. Again, Cyber Attacks are becoming greater threats including state sponsor attacks such as the potential connection between dragon fly and russia. Attacks on the electric grid. We continue to focus on Cyber Security but build the cyber resiliency. In addition to ferk order 829 related to supply Chain Management, additional steps that doe is or should be taking with regard to supply Chain Management to the system . Congressman, absolutely. It is one of the areas we should be focusing is supply Chain Management. What the department is doing is partnering with the supply chain sector that supports the electric industry. To help them look at vulnerability, mitigation slu s solutions, also ways to get ahead of the game and monitor intrusions on the system. Also be able to look for ab normal behavior. Were looking at legislation that might actually enhance your capability in that regard. Also there are several traditional reliability and resiliency frame work tools including kd and if you know what those are. And the interruption cost estimate calculator. Is there room for improvement on those tools . Should they be upgraded regularly . Yes, congressman. We always should look at any tools for new technology and capability to advance the utilization. It will help us in the long term to find what is what the resiliency mean and whats the Cost Effective investment that we should focus on. All the tools are valuable in establishing a baseline. Also helping identify priority. Thank you. The interest of courtesy, ill yield back. Ill submit questions for the record. I thank any friend. The chair calls upon the gentleman from the commonwealth of virginia. Mr. Griffith. I will submit some questions that i had for the record. That i had folks. Ill try to abbreviate as much as i can. You have said the existing coal and Nuclear Fleet need to be properly compensated to recognize the value they provide the system. It is clear some states agree and are taking action within the jur jurisdiction to compensate. Given the current backlog of issues at ferk, how have a priority facing on the issue of proper compensation and wholesale markets, and part of that because of time, i would love to get an extended answer. But for purposes of todays hearing so folks know, high, medium or low . We can walk and chew gum at the same time. Id say. High. I appreciate that very much the recently released staff report found that the uncertainty surrounding news source review requirements led to a significant lack of investment in plant and efficiency upgrades. I look to the question i just asked. Where we have acknowledged that coal and Nuclear Fleets are important for grid reliability across the country. So we have that lack of investment in upgrade. If the program has impooded or resulted in the cancellation of projects which would maintain and improve reliable, efficiency and safety. And a lot of times thats coal. Its other things as well. Thats why i have authored fwo bills to modernize and streamline the program. Can you provide a brief over view looking at another date for a longer answer, can yo provide what doe plans have there are to ensure that this burdensome permitting program doesnt further impact grid reliability. In other words im working on the legislative end. What are you doing on the administrative end . We are working diligently to streamline the review and permitting process in the portfolio of the jurisdiction of the department of energy. Were looking at on the transmission side. P preapplication process. Ill be glad to have an in depth conversation on the activities were working on. I do appreciate anything yo provide to the office. I apologize because of hurricanes earlier in the week and now our compressed voting schedule. I cant get a longer answer. Those being the two most vital questions. I yield back. No further members wishing to ask questions. Id like to thank our witnesses for being here today. I want to personally apologize for exposing you to a good old fashion texas goat rope because of the floor votes. I appreciate your patience. Pursuant to Committee Rules i remind members they have ten Business Days to submit additional questions for the record. I ask witnesses submit the response within ten Business Days upon receipt of the questions. Without objection, the subcommittee is adjourned. Go vote. [ inaudible conversation [ inaudible conversations]. Do you agree that 50 of your votes doesnt pose a reliability . The back and forth between him and chairman bartman, i think they seem to have some agreement about that, i want more details on that. He said more coordination is mutually needed. I want to talk to him further. Chairman, were talking about the backlog, there hadnt been any technical quarter this is work. How are you guys measuring, you know the working down of the backlog . I actually want to commend commissioner le flor for the work she did as acting chair. People have been saying and i quite frankly is one of them, hey we need to restore the. What i saw from the moment i walked in has been working the whole time. Working with the commissioners we got a great strategy in place and working through these words. Like i said, we got today and i think we should have a number out. I think the prioritize them by statutory need, byneed basis. Its a smart appropriate strategy. Weve got our open meeting coming up next week in which youll notice a certain amount of business there. Im confident because of the great work that was done prior to my arrival working the backlog quickly. Were also taking in new business, as i mentioned we can walk and chew gum at the same time, i think were capable of getting through the backlog. What is congressman looking in terms of what do you think the important thing congress are looking at right now in terms of fracture, or however reforms . What would you like to see congress everyones in agreement wed like to see bipartisan basis, my time spend in the senate. Id like to see over the years infrastructure bills. My former boss leader mcconnell. Infrastructures something we all agree we need permitting reform, we need to develop our infrastructure and commission will play an Important Role with that, along with folks throughout the executive and legislative branch. I feel very comfortable saying infrastructure should be a major focus. Chairman what would you like the next step to be on Energy Price Reform . Thats something weve done a lot of work in this area to date, ive been very impressed going back to 2014 the work that the commissioners done. I think we got new folks coming into the commission that need to get read in and up to speed on the work that commission has done to date and move forward on it. I think obviously from the questions youve heard from members today and others, this is foremost on peoples minds. Im not going to speak now without consulting with my colleagues on what steps we might take moving forward or what the next steps need to be. Its something that is certainly high priority. Chairman, todays vote on the do you have concerns about that . I think it was a lo gist caution issue, my understanding it was competing committee, im not reading into that one. So im not concerned. I think it was scheduling. Okay, and speaking about next weeks first meeting going into it, you know what are your priorities ahead of the meeting . We put out last night and it was pretty straightforward. So im looking forward to it. Okay. Doing a press conference i guess. Its interesting. Anybody else . One more question . All right. Thank yall very much. Appreciate it. Announcer the Senate Committee takes a look at der, prepareness response for the elderly. This comes after eight people were found dead in the floridas nursing home in the aftermath of hurricane irma. Well have live updatings starting wednesday here on cspan3. Senate hearing on the supplemental nutrition s