In another step towards regulating greenhouse gas emissions (“GHG”) under the Clean Air Act, the President on Tuesday unveiled agreement on new automobile fuel economy standards that include regulation of automotive GHG emissions. The proposal would be jointly implemented by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) and the U.S. Department of Transportation (“DOT”).
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Request for Additional Comments on Smart Grid Policy
By Troutman Pepper Locke on
Posted in Uncategorized
On Tuesday, FERC issued a notice requesting supplemental comments to its proposed Smart Grid Policy Statement and Action Plan that was released in March (see March 20, 2009 edition of the WER) due to the release of two Smart Grid funding opportunities offered by the U.S. Department of Energy (“DOE”).
NYISO to Treat Wind as Flexible Resource
By Troutman Pepper Locke on
Posted in Uncategorized
On May 11, 2009, the Commission approved tariff revisions made by the New York Independent System Operator, Inc. (“NYISO”) that will treat wind resources as flexible resources. The revisions will require wind resources to “dispatch down” in order to resolve transmission system constraints.
Amendment Limits Broad Cost Allocation Provision in Bingaman’s Transmission Bill
By Troutman Pepper Locke on
Posted in Uncategorized
On Wednesday, the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources (“Senate Energy Committee”) voted for an amendment to Sen. Jeff Bingaman’s (D-NM) transmission bill (see May 8, 2009 edition of the WER) that will limit broad cost allocations for “national interest” power lines in a given region. The amendment, proposed by Sen. Bob Corker (R-TN), could create new financial hurdles for developers proposing large new power line projects.
Waxman, House Energy Democrats Revise Energy Bill for Committee Mark-Up
By Troutman Pepper Locke on
Posted in Uncategorized
On Tuesday, Democrats on the House Committee on Energy and Commerce (“House Energy Committee”) met behind closed doors to discuss and negotiate several portions of Rep. Henry Waxman’s (D-CA) energy bill (see April 3, 2009 edition of the WER). While the meeting did not finalize every provision of Rep. Waxman’s energy bill, Democrats on the House Energy Committee agreed to several key portions of the bill.
FTC Issues “Fighting Fraud with the Red Flags Rule: A How-To Guide for Business”
By Troutman Pepper Locke on
Posted in Uncategorized
We continue in our efforts to help bring companies into compliance with the Red Flags Rule. By August 1, 2009, creditors will be required to have an identity theft prevention program in place.
FERC Refuses to Intervene in Dispute Over Allocation of Payments to Retail Customers
By Troutman Pepper Locke on
Posted in Uncategorized
On May 8, 2009, FERC rejected proposed amendments to Entergy Services, Inc.’s (“Entergy”) System Agreement regarding allocation of bandwidth payments and receipts, finding that the Commission does not have jurisdiction to determine the allocation of such costs between state jurisdictions.
NERC Makes Cyber Security Standards More Stringent by Taking Away “Reasonable Business Judgment”
By Troutman Pepper Locke on
Posted in Uncategorized
On May 6, 2009, the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (“NERC”) approved revisions to eight cyber security standards for America’s bulk power system as part of their standards revision work plan. The primary revision was the removal of “reasonable business judgment” language in response to concerns FERC voiced in Order No. 706 issued on January 18, 2008.
New Bingaman Draft Scales Back Federal Siting Proposal
By Troutman Pepper Locke on
Posted in Uncategorized
On Wednesday, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee (“Energy Committee”) released a joint staff draft of Chairman Jeff Bingaman’s (D-NM) energy bill that would address concerns by states on cost allocation as well as give the Department of the Interior authority to site new transmission lines on federal lands.
FERC Releases Audit Reports of NYISO and SPP
By Troutman Pepper Locke on
Posted in Uncategorized
On Wednesday, the Commission approved two separate Audit Reports from the Division of Audits in the Office of Enforcement (“OE”), one for the New York Independent System Operator, Inc. (“NYISO”) and one for Southwest Power Pool, Inc. (“SPP”).