The Secretary of Energy Washington, DC 20585, May 18, 2017 ‘The Honorable Maria Cantwell United States Senate Washington DC 20510 Dear Senator Cantwell ‘Thank you for your letter dated May 1, sharing your views on grid reliability and the state of our electricity markets. Your input on this matter is truly appreciated. The issues | outlined in the memo to my Chief of Staff are critically important to the well-being ané security of American families, and Iam glad to see these issues garner passion and attention, However, the specific concerns you have expressed overlook the day-to-day realities here at the Department of Energy. Pursuant to my instructions, the internal Departmental review that I approved on April 26, will be rigorous, thorough, balanced, and informed by existing research, Furthermore, the internal process for completing the review substantially relies on the research and institutional knowledge of our foremost career and contractor employees across all relevant program offices and National Laboratories. | willingly anticipate an open and constructive dialogue based on the contents of this review, With that said, while the review is still underway, any critiques of the Department, the staff involved, or the contents of the review are premature. We shoulé evaluate the quality of the team’s work after their careful deliberations have coneluded and they have produced a comprehensive set of findings and recommendations, As always, | appreciate the thoughtful comments voiced by you and your colleagues, and Took forward to working with you to ensure that this great nation will continue — well into the future — to have an electric grid that is resilient, reliable, and affordable. If you have any additional questions, please feel free to contact me or Ms. Shari Davenport, Acting Assistant Secretary, Office of Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs, at (202) 586-5450. Sincerely, “Riek Peery Rick Perry ®