On December 5, 2024, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC”) approved Public Service Electric and Gas Company’s settlement agreement (“PSE&G”) to pay a $6.6 million civil penalty to resolve an ongoing investigation with FERC’s Office of Enforcement (“FERC Enforcement”). According to FERC’s order, the underlying investigation involved PSE&G’s alleged failure to provide full and accurate information when seeking approval from PJM Interconnection, L.L.C. (“PJM”) to replace a transmission line in New Jersey as part of the PJM Regional Transmission Expansion Plan (“RTEP”) process. PSE&G also agreed to submit to annual compliance monitoring for up to two years as part of the approved Stipulation and Consent Agreement (“Stipulation”).

On December 20, 2024, the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit (“D.C. Circuit”) upheld FERC’s order authorizing Stingray Pipeline Company, L.L.C. (“Stingray”) to abandon a portion of its pipeline system on the condition that before doing so, Stingray either restore service or obtain a shipper agreement that the damaged pipeline segment remain out of service.

On November 21, 2024, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC”) issued a final rule establishing a categorical one-year “reasonable period of time” for certifying authorities to act on requests for water quality certification under section 401 of the Clean Water Act (“CWA”). The final rule also clarifies that all FERC authorizations “that have the potential to discharge into waters of the United States,” including hydropower exemptions, amendments, and surrenders, require either a section 401 water quality certification or waiver thereof.

On November 21, 2024, FERC issued an Order partially accepting NorthWestern Energy Corporation’s (“NorthWestern”) compliance filing, effective July 10, 2024.  FERC found that NorthWestern’s filing partially complies with the requirements of Order Nos. 2023 and 2023-A and directed NorthWestern to submit a further compliance filing within 60 days.

On November 21, 2024, FERC issued Order No. 1920-A, which modified Order No. 1920 to expand the states’ roles in long-term transmission planning and clarified requirements for such planning as set forth in Order No. 1920. FERC made changes in three broad areas, amongst many other modifications: (1) expanding the role of state entities in the transmission planning process, (2) requiring transmission providers to create additional transmission planning scenarios to inform implementation of cost allocation methods upon the request of state entities, and (3) removing the requirement for transmission providers to include corporate financial commitments in Factor Category Seven when developing long-term transmission planning scenarios.

On December 5, 2024, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit heard oral arguments in Transource Pennsylvania LLC v. Steven M. Defrank, et.al. The case presents the question of potential tension between FERC’s exclusive authority over transmission planning and a state’s siting authority. The court has not yet decided the case.

On November 1, 2024, FERC Commissioners led a technical conference at their headquarters in Washington, DC, on issues pertaining to co-locating large loads at generating facilities. FERC Commissioners asked questions of individuals across the energy industry into how large loads, and data centers in particular, are impacting the grid and…

On November 1, 2024, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC”) rejected an amended Interconnection Service Agreement (“ISA”) filed by PJM Interconnection, L.L.C. (“PJM”) that proposed increasing the co-located data center load at a Susquehanna Nuclear, LLC (“Susquehanna”) nuclear generating facility. FERC held that PJM did not meet FERC’s “high burden”…

Battery + Storage Podcast

In this episode, host Bill Derasmo welcomes Mike Hall, CEO of Anza Renewables. With more than 20 years of experience in the energy industry, Hall shares insights into the founding and growth of Anza in 2022. The discussion covers the importance of technology platforms, vendor relationships…

On September 10, 2024, FERC issued an Order denying two complaints.  The first complaint was filed on January 23, 2023 by Montana-Dakota Utilities Company (“MDU”) against Midcontinent Independent System Operator, Inc. (“MISO”) and Southwest Power Pool, Inc. (“SPP”).  The second complaint was filed on March 8, 2024 by MISO against…