FERC Rejects Plan to Fast Track Anticonsumer Energy Proposal

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 10, 2005

FERC REJECTS PLAN TO FAST TRACK ANTICONSUMER ENERGY PROPOSAL

Rep. Markey Applauds Efforts to Hold Public Hearings, Delay Proposal Implementation

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In response to the order issued earlier today by the Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission (FERC), Representative Edward J. Markey (D-MA) issued the following statement:

"This is a very welcome decision by FERC, and a big victory for the coalition that has been fighting this
anti-consumer electricity rate increase. Coming just a day after most of the New England delegation
signed onto my letter calling for a delay in any decision regarding LICAP and consideration of
alternatives, this is a very important development.

"FERC Chairman Joseph Kelliher and the other FERC Commissioners should be commended for
rejecting the ISO's request for accelerated approval of LICAP and instead scheduling this matter for oral
argument so that they can hear directly from those opposed to this proposal. I believe that in the
September hearing FERC will hear some compelling arguments against LICAP, and I hope they will
consider the harm this proposal would inflict on the entire New England region very, very carefully
before they move forward.

"I'm also very pleased to see that FERC has announced that in the event that LICAP -- or some other
alternative - is adopted, that implementation will be delayed from January to October of 2006.

"These are very positive developments, and they suggest that FERC may be beginning to understand the
depth and breadth of the opposition to the $13 billion rate increase that could be imposed on New
England consumers over the next decade if LICAP were to be approved."

http://www.house.gov/markey/Issues/iss_energy_pr050810.pdf