WASHINGTON (AP) — Congressional Democrats accused the Trump administration Thursday of falsely suggesting the nation's electricity grid faces severe problems to justify an unnecessary bolstering of the coal and nuclear energy industries.

Energy Secretary Rick Perry defended his department's proposal, telling a House energy subcommittee that the country must strengthen its systems for delivering power. The plan would reward nuclear and coal-fired power plants for adding what it calls reliability to the nation's power grid.

"I don't think any of you want to have to stand up in front of your cons...