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 July 1, 2010, the Commission granted Champlain Hudson Power Express, Inc. (“Champlain”) authority to charge negotiated rates for transmission rights on its high voltage direct current (“HVDC”) project from Montreal, Quebec to New York City and New England (the “Project).

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 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 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. 

On June 17, 2010, FERC Staff released its final National Action Plan for Demand Response (“National Action Plan” or “Plan”).  The focus of the Plan is to encourage the use of demand response to meet national energy independence and security goals.

On June 17, 2010, Thomas Sheets, the General Counsel of FERC, announced a new unit at FERC to assist with legal issues regarding reliability.  The announcement came during FERC’s June monthly meeting.

On June 17, 2010, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC” or the “Commission”) unanimously approved the Notice of Proposed Rule Rulemaking (“NOPR”) on Transmission Planning and Cost Allocation by Transmission Owning and Operating Public Utilities at FERC’s monthly meeting.  The NOPR seeks to build on Order No. 890, Preventing Undue Discrimination and Preference in Transmission Service.