On July 15, 2010, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC” or the “Commission”) conditionally approved the Southwest Power Pool, Inc’s (“SPP”) modified transmission planning process, the Integrated Transmission Plan (“ITP”). The ITP will be used to determine future regional transmission needs.
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Technical Conference on Reliability Standards Raises Issues
By Troutman Pepper Locke on
Posted in Uncategorized
On July 6, 2010, the Commission held a Technical Conference to discuss issues related to the development and enforcement of mandatory Reliability Standards.
FERC Revises Compliance Timeline for Both MOD Reliability Standards and NAESB Business Practices
By Troutman Pepper Locke on
Posted in Uncategorized
On July 15, 2010, the Commission released Order No. 729-B, which granted requests for rehearing on the implementation timeline for Order No. 729-A. In its new order, FERC decided to calibrate the timing of the MOD Reliability Standards implementation date from the date of FERC approval, not the date of publication in the Federal Register.
Smart Grid Update: One Year Since Smart Grid Policy Statement
By Troutman Pepper Locke on
Posted in Uncategorized
On July 15, 2010, Ray Palmer from the Office of Electric Reliability presented an update the Commission’s Smart Grid Policy Statement (the “Policy Statement”) at the Commission’s monthly meeting. The Commission originally issued the Policy Statement last July (see March 20, 2010 edition of the WER).
EPA Issues CAIR Replacement Rule
By Troutman Pepper Locke on
Posted in Uncategorized
On July 6, 2010, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) proposed its long-expected rule replacing the Clean Air Interstate Rule (“CAIR”).
DOI and DOE Sign MOU on Offshore Renewable Energy Projects
By Troutman Pepper Locke on
Posted in Uncategorized
On January 29, 2010, the U.S. Department of Interior (“DOI”) and Department of Energy (“DOE”) announced that the agencies have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) to collaborate in developing commercial-scale offshore renewable energy projects on the Outer Continental Shelf (“OCS”).
FERC Grants Rate Authority to Champlain for Transmission Project
By Troutman Pepper Locke on
Posted in Uncategorized
On July 1, 2010, the Commission granted Champlain Hudson Power Express, Inc. (“Champlain”) authority to charge negotiated rates for transmission rights on its high voltage direct current (“HVDC”) project from Montreal, Quebec to New York City and New England (the “Project).
Duke Energy Ohio and Duke Energy Kentucky Submit Initial Filing to Withdraw from Midwest ISO and Join PJM by January 1, 2012
By Troutman Pepper Locke on
Posted in Uncategorized
On June 25, 2010, Duke Energy Ohio, Inc. (“DEO”) and Duke Energy Kentucky, Inc. (“DEK”) filed the first of several filings with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC” or the “Commission”) seeking approval to transfer control of utility assets from the Midwest Independent System Operator, Inc. (“Midwest ISO”) to PJM Interconnection L.L.C. (“PJM”).
Underground Coal Mine Greenhouse Gas Reporting Rule Issued; Coal Suppliers Not Required to Report
By Troutman Pepper Locke on
Posted in Uncategorized
On June 28, 2010, Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) Administrator Lisa Jackson signed the final rule for Mandatory Reporting of Greenhouse Gases from Underground Coal Mines. This rule amends the mandatory greenhouse gas reporting regulations that EPA issued last year (see September 24, 2009 issue of the WER).
FERC Approves Staff Audit, Directs Florida’s Grid Operator, FRCC, to Make Further Reliability Enforcement Changes
By Troutman Pepper Locke on
Posted in Uncategorized
On June 23, 2010, FERC approved an Audit Report (the “Audit”) from the Division of Audits in the Office of Enforcement (“OE”) along with Staff from the Office of Electric Reliability. The Audit evaluated Florida Reliability Coordinating Council, Inc.’s (“FRCC”) Regional Entity (“RE”) function and related compliance.