On July 13, 2017, FERC Office of Enforcement Staff issued a Notice of Alleged Violation against Rover Pipeline, LLC and Energy Transfer Partners, L.P. (collectively, “Rover”) alleging that Rover, in its application for a certificate of public convenience and necessity (“Application”) and subsequent filings, did not disclose all relevant information regarding the avoidance of adverse effects to a certain historic resource. In addition, on July 12, 2017, FERC Office of Energy Projects (“OEP”) Staff issued a letter listing the activities Rover must complete prior to receiving authorization to place its proposed pipeline into service.
Continue Reading FERC Staff Issues Notice of Alleged Violation Against Rover Pipeline for Misstatements in Certificate Application
North Carolina Passes Solar Reform Bill with an 18-Month Wind Moratorium
On June 30, 2017, the North Carolina General Assembly ratified compromise legislation that modernizes the state’s solar energy rules but also includes an 18-month moratorium on wind energy projects in the state. The bill now awaits Governor Roy Cooper’s signature or veto.
Continue Reading North Carolina Passes Solar Reform Bill with an 18-Month Wind Moratorium
Massachusetts Announces 200 MWh Energy Storage Procurement Target
On June 30, 2017, the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (“DOER”) informed the Massachusetts Legislature of its adoption of a 200 MWh energy storage target for electric distribution companies (“EDCs”) to procure “viable and cost-effective energy storage systems” within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. DOER specified that the target is to be achieved by January 1, 2020, and would permit EDCs to identify the most cost-effective applications and the best locations for energy storage deployment, including both in front of the meter and behind the meter applications.
Continue Reading Massachusetts Announces 200 MWh Energy Storage Procurement Target
President Trump Plans to Nominate Richard Glick as FERC Commissioner; Commissioner Colette Honorable Departs FERC
On June 28, 2017, President Donald Trump announced his intention to nominate Richard Glick, a Democrat from Virginia, to be a FERC Commissioner for a five-year term ending June 30, 2022. In addition, on June 30, 2017, Commissioner Colette Honorable announced that June 30, 2017 was her final day as a FERC Commissioner and that she would not be staying past her term (see May 9, 2017 edition of the WER).
Continue Reading President Trump Plans to Nominate Richard Glick as FERC Commissioner; Commissioner Colette Honorable Departs FERC
D.C. Circuit Rules Waiver of CWA Certification Requirement for Pipeline Project Does Not Create Standing for Pipeline
On June 23, 2017, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit (“D.C. Circuit”) held that Millennium Pipeline Company, L.L.C. (“Millennium”) lacked standing to challenge whether the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (“Department”) had unlawfully delayed issuing a Clean Water Act (“CWA”) § 401 water quality certificate for Millennium’s pipeline project by failing to act on Millennium’s application within the one year statutory period. In doing so, the D.C. Circuit stated that even if the Department had unlawfully delayed issuing the CWA § 401 certificate, the Department’s delay would operate as a waiver of the certification requirement. As a result, the D.C. Circuit explained that Millennium could ask FERC to determine whether the Department waived the CWA § 401 certification requirement, and if so, whether FERC would authorize Millennium to begin construction of its pipeline project.
Continue Reading D.C. Circuit Rules Waiver of CWA Certification Requirement for Pipeline Project Does Not Create Standing for Pipeline
House Passes Energy-Related Bills Seeking to Amend Federal Power Act
On June 12, 2017, the United States House of Representatives passed a slate of ten energy-related bills. Notably, two of the passed bills seek to amend the Federal Power Act (“FPA”) and FERC’s attendant authority.
Continue Reading House Passes Energy-Related Bills Seeking to Amend Federal Power Act
New Legislation Introduced Regarding Review of Proposed Natural Gas Pipelines
On June 7, 2017, Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Mark Warner (D-VA) introduced a bill in the U.S. Senate that would, among other things, revise the Natural Gas Act (“NGA”) to require FERC to (1) review two proposed interstate pipeline projects together under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (“NEPA”) if the two pipelines are proposed within one year of each other and would be within 100 miles apart and (2) ensure that open houses regarding a proposed pipeline occur in each county in which the pipeline would be located. In addition, on June 13, 2017, Representative H. Morgan Griffith (R-VA) introduced a similar bill in the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Continue Reading New Legislation Introduced Regarding Review of Proposed Natural Gas Pipelines
Fifth Circuit Dismisses Total’s Arguments Against FERC’s NGA Enforcement Authority as Unripe
On June 8, 2017, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit (“Fifth Circuit”) dismissed Total Gas & Power N.A., Inc., Aaron Hall, and Therese Tran’s (collectively, “Total”) arguments that the Natural Gas Act (“NGA”) provides federal district courts – not FERC – with exclusive authority to adjudicate violations of the NGA and assess civil penalties, finding that Total’s claims were unripe because FERC neither has determined that Total has violated the NGA nor assessed any civil penalties. The Fifth Circuit also dismissed Total’s arguments that FERC’s procedures for appointing Administrative Law Judges (“ALJs”) and conducting hearings are unconstitutional.
Continue Reading Fifth Circuit Dismisses Total’s Arguments Against FERC’s NGA Enforcement Authority as Unripe
Supreme Court Ruling in SEC Case Could Affect FERC Enforcement Proceedings Involving Disgorgement
On June 5, 2017, the U.S. Supreme Court (“Supreme Court”) held that 28 U.S.C. § 2462’s (“Section 2462”) five-year limitations period for the enforcement of penalties applies to claims for disgorgement brought by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). As a result, additional federal agencies, including FERC, may similarly be limited to seeking disgorgement within five years of the date the claim accrued.
Continue Reading Supreme Court Ruling in SEC Case Could Affect FERC Enforcement Proceedings Involving Disgorgement
D.C. Circuit Upholds FERC’s Interpretation in TANC/PG&E Contract Dispute
On June 1, 2017, the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit (“D.C. Circuit”) denied petitions for review and upheld FERC’s interpretation of a transmission agreement (the “Operation Agreement”) between the Transmission Agency of Northern California (“TANC”) and Pacific Gas and Electric Company (“PG&E”).
Continue Reading D.C. Circuit Upholds FERC’s Interpretation in TANC/PG&E Contract Dispute