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). 

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”). 

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”). 

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). 

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. 

On June 29, 2010, the New Jersey legislature passed S 2036, the “Offshore Wind Economic Development Act.”  The bill would create a renewable energy certificate program to require that a certain percentage of electricity sold in the state come from offshore wind projects.  Supporters estimate that the program could create at least 1,100 MW of offshore wind capacity.

On June 22, 2010, the United States Senate confirmed Cheryl A. LaFleur as Commissioner to the vacant seat on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC” or the “Commission”).  LaFleur’s term will expire on June 30, 2014.  LaFleur previously worked for National Grid for over twenty years.