On March 16, 2012, FERC Chairman Jon Wellinghoff spoke at the GreenBiz Energy Group Verge conference.  During a post-speech interview he stated “[t]he traditional utility is either going to have to change or die.”  Wellinghoff noted during the interview that this statement is an attempt to clarify an earlier comment where Wellinghoff categorized utilities as “dinosaurs.”

On March 26, 2012, in an attempt to gain approval of their merger, Duke Energy Corp. (“Duke”) and Progress Energy, Inc. (“Progress”) (together, “Applicants”) filed a revised market power mitigation proposal (“Proposal”) with FERC.

On March 23, 2012, the California Independent System Operator Corporation (“California ISO”) approved its “2011-2012 Transmission Plan” which identifies thirty projects needed to maintain reliability.

On March 27, 2012, FERC’s Division of Pipeline Regulation issued a Delegated Order granting Hope Gas, Inc. (“Dominion Hope”), a local distribution company (“LDC”) and Hinshaw pipeline, a limited jurisdiction blanket certificate to transport gas in interstate commerce.