From Roy Blunt (r) on Friday:

BLUNT LEADS MISSOURI DELEGATION LETTER URGING FERC TO REVIEW & ADDRESS NATURAL GAS SUPPLY ISSUES
February 18, 2021

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Roy Blunt (Mo.) led a letter from members of the Missouri congressional delegation to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) urging the commission to quickly review and address concerns regarding the nation’s natural gas supply as weather-related energy demand spikes in Missouri and several other states.

“Due to the surge in energy demand across the state, residents have been experiencing electricity outages, rolling blackouts, and controlled service interruptions during an incredibly precarious time as temperatures continue to drop,” the members wrote. “Our offices have also received information suggesting that limited supplies of natural gas are also exacerbating the situation and are forcing utility providers to find alternative sources of energy during this time of emergency in an effort to provide reliable sources of power to residents and customers to heat their homes and keep businesses from operating or manufacturing. …

“We respectfully request FERC to expeditiously review the circumstances of this situation as it relates to natural gas supplies, the rates of interstate transmission of natural gas, and take the necessary steps needed to address this crisis.”

In addition to Blunt, the letter was signed by U.S. Senator Josh Hawley and U.S. Representatives Emanuel Cleaver, II, Blaine Luetkemeyer, Jason Smith, Sam Graves, Vicky Hartzler, Ann Wagner and Billy Long.

Full text of the letter below and here.

The Honorable Richard Glick
Chairman
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
888 First Street, NE
Washington, D.C. 20426

Dear Chairman Glick,

On behalf of our constituents, including residents, farmers, and businesses in Missouri, we write today to raise a dire situation relating to natural gas shortages in Missouri and across the Midwest as the increase in energy demand continues to strain the electric grid. We wanted to make certain that you and your fellow Commissioners are aware of the concern in an effort to ensure there is a continued supply of affordable natural gas in Midwest states.

Due to the surge in energy demand across the state, residents have been experiencing electricity outages, rolling blackouts, and controlled service interruptions during an incredibly precarious time as temperatures continue to drop. Our offices have also received information suggesting that limited supplies of natural gas are also exacerbating the situation and are forcing utility providers to find alternative sources of energy during this time of emergency in an effort to provide reliable sources of power to residents and customers to heat their homes and keep businesses from operating or manufacturing.

We appreciate the initial steps that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) have taken to date in opening a joint inquiry on the impacts of severe winter weather on grid operations. We respectfully request FERC to expeditiously review the circumstances of this situation as it relates to natural gas supplies, the rates of interstate transmission of natural gas, and take the necessary steps needed to address this crisis. In light of these challenges, we need to ensure there is an adequate supply of affordable energy and natural gas for families, farmers, and businesses in Missouri and the Midwest. We look forward to working with you and stand ready to assist in any way possible.

Thank you for your attention to this critical matter.

Sincere regards,
Roy Blunt, United States Senator
Josh Hawley, United States Senator
Emanuel Cleaver, II, Member of Congress
Blaine Luetkemeyer, Member of Congress
Jason Smith, Member of Congress
Sam Graves, Member of Congress
Vicky Hartzler, Member of Congress
Ann Wagner, Member of Congress
Billy Long, Member of Congress

Cc: Commissioner Chatterjee
Commissioner Danly
Commissioner Clements
Commissioner Christie

Did he forget Rep. Cori Bush (D)? Just asking.

On Twitter:

Senator Roy Blunt @RoyBlunt
Yesterday, I led the Missouri congressional delegation in urging the Biden administration to quickly review and address concerns regarding the nation’s natural gas supply as weather-related energy demand spikes in Missouri and other states.
[….]
1:25 PM · Feb 19, 2021

As usual, there was much hilarity in the comments:

I urge you to quickly confirm Biden’s cabinet so he has a remote chance of getting stuff fixed that you have ignored Or obstructed for years. You saying that SUDDENLY infrastructure is important, Roy? No kidding.

Regulation, too, apparently.

If @MissouriGOP wasn’t too busy supporting a dictatorship over the past four years they too could’ve been looking at solar and wind energy for Missouri .

There have been weather related instances over the past four years and @RoyBlunt has done what?

Photo oped w/ a dictator!

All it took was a new administration & some severe weather for you to get behind infrastructure week. Good to know what it takes to get your ear

When can we hear about the Republican healthcare plan that was always going to be announced 2 weeks from now over the past four years?

Or, just RUN to Cancun!

Yes let’s make sure but Texas did these to themselves to be separate was their decision and its all amount the wealthy owners of them power houses making money. Majority of the outage is N-Gas & Coal and not protecting from the cold. Gov & Cancun Ted & Rick Perry you can thank

There is more than enough supply or we wouldn’t be exporting so dang much of it. [….]
When private cos are allowed to ‘self-regulate’ – maintain infrastructure & equip w/o oversight, they will chose to cheap out to pocket the cash every time.

I’m sure Biden is already on it. Also, I haven’t forgotten that you voted to acquit the person who was responsible for the deaths at the Capitol on January 6th. So Roy…who won the Presidential election? Curious for your response!

Today I joined the people of 49 other states that are wondering how much we could get if we sold Missouri and what we could buy with the profits.

Empty words. Time for a change!!

I’m sure the oil & gas lobbyists that paid you $2.2M are very happy with your “hard work”

You surely did bc no one wants to end up like Teddy Cancun Cruz

Mr. Blunt,
1. Talk is cheap. “I led in urging…” lol!
2. Why is it up to the executive branch to act upon your concerns about energy security when there is a perfectly decent senate committee who is supposed to do just that, oversee nat. energy policy?
[….]

Why didn’t you do that four years ago

blow that smoke, Roy!… blow that smoke!…

Nice and vanilla, Roy

While you are at it, you might consider the impact of climate change.

@RoyBlunt You’re no leader. To lead you have to be in front. Not decades behind.

What have you been doing for 24 years?

He has a nice house.

You didn’t lead shit. You’re on your way out, lead that.

There you go.