According to the latest data released by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (“EIA”) Renewable Energy is becoming a larger part of domestic energy production in the United States.  EIA publishes a Monthly Energy Review (the “Review”) which examines the latest figures regarding all sources of energy. 

On January 10, 2011, the five current Commissioners at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC” or the “Commission”) sent a joint letter (the “January 10th Letter”) to the Wall Street Journal (the “Journal”) in response to a December 30, 2010 editorial called “The Midwest Wind Surtax” (the “December 30th Editorial”).

GHG Regulation under PSD and Title V

On December 23, 2010, the Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) released six more rules designed to make sure that all areas of the country are, or will be, covered by a Clean Air Act program that includes permitting requirements for greenhouse gas (“GHG”) emissions in accordance with EPA’s Tailoring Rule.

On December 30, 2010, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC” or the “Commission”) issued two separate but related orders (the “December 30, 2010 Orders”) on transmission rate incentives under sections 205 and 219 of the Federal Power Act (“FPA”) and Order No. 679. 

On December 15, 2010, House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI) announced the members who will lead six different subcommittees.  Upton also announced that Joe Barton (R-TX) will serve as the Chairman Emeritus for the Committee, and Vice Chair of the Energy and Commerce Committee will be Sue Myrick (R-NC).