A bill to direct the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct a study on the effects of forward capacity auctions and other capacity mechanisms.

Bill: 114-s-1272
Sponsor: full_name: Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]
Introduced: 2015-05-11
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Competition and antitrust

Congressional oversight

Electric power generation and transmission

Energy prices

Government studies and investigations

Public utilities and utility rates
Latest action: action_date: 2015-05-19
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Hearings held.

Summaries:
action_date: 2015-05-11
action_desc: Introduced in Senate
text: <p>This bill directs the Government Accountability Office to study the effects of forward capacity auctions or other capacity mechanisms established by Independent System Operators or Regional Transmission Organizations with respect to: </p> <ul> <li> consumer prices for electricity; </li> <li> installation of new electrical generation systems;</li> <li> preservation of existing electrical generation systems; and </li> <li> competition in energy markets, including the potential for the use of undue market power or manipulation in the auctions. </li> </ul> <p>The report to Congress on the study must assess whether the auctions or capacity mechanisms are producing rates that are just and reasonable.</p>

tv_txt: II 114th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 1272 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES May 11, 2015 Mr. Markey (for himself and Ms. Warren ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources A BILL To direct the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct a study on the effects of forward capacity auctions and other capacity mechanisms.

1. GAO Capacity market impact study and report Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall— (1) conduct a study of the effects of forward capacity auctions or other capacity mechanisms that have been established by Independent System Operators or Regional Transmission Organizations on— (A) consumer prices for electricity; (B) the installation of new electrical generation systems; (C) the preservation of existing electrical generation systems; and (D) competition in energy markets, including the potential for the use of undue market power or manipulation in the auctions; and (2) submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report describing the results of the study conducted under paragraph (1), including an assessment of whether the auctions or capacity mechanisms are producing rates that are just and reasonable.