The American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) issued the following statement in response to FirstEnergy Solutions appeal for the U.S. Department of Energy to invoke Section 202(c) of the Federal Power Act to keep uneconomic power plants running:

WASHINGTON, D.C., March 30, 2018 — The American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) issued the following statement in response to FirstEnergy Solutions appeal for the U.S. Department of Energy to invoke Section 202(c) of the Federal Power Act to keep uneconomic power plants running:

"Americans enjoy affordable, reliable electricity thanks to well-functioning markets and a robust energy supply. Consumers will suffer higher electricity rates if Section 202(c) of the Federal Power Act, a law intended to be used narrowly during national emergencies, is misused to prop up failing power plants in the name of "resilience". There is no emergency and the question of resilience is appropriately being considered in the ongoing FERC proceeding. We urge the Department of Energy to reject FirstEnergy Solutions' request." - Amy Farrell, Senior Vice President, Government and Public Affairs, AWEA.

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AWEA is the national trade association of the U.S. wind energy industry. We represent 1,000 member companies and over 100,000 jobs in the U.S. economy, serving as a powerful voice for how wind works for America. Members include global leaders in wind power and energy development, turbine manufacturing, and component and service suppliers. They gather each year at the Western Hemispheres largest wind power trade show, the AWEA WINDPOWER Conference & Exhibition, next in Chicago, May 7-10, 2018. Find information about wind energy on the AWEA website. Gain insight into industry issues on AWEA's blog, Into the Wind. And please join us on Facebook, and follow @AWEA on Twitter.