On July 15, 2010, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC” or the “Commission”) conditionally approved the Southwest Power Pool, Inc’s (“SPP”) modified transmission planning process, the Integrated Transmission Plan (“ITP”).   The ITP will be used to determine future regional transmission needs.

On July 15, 2010, the Commission released Order No. 729-B, which granted requests for rehearing on the implementation timeline for Order No. 729-A.  In its new order, FERC decided to calibrate the timing of the MOD Reliability Standards implementation date from the date of FERC approval, not the date of publication in the Federal Register. 

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.