On October 8, 2009, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC” or the “Commission”) approved a Stipulation and Consent Agreement (the “Agreement”) between the Office of Enforcement, the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (“NERC”), and Florida Power and Light Company (“FPL”).  Under the Agreement, FPL agreed to pay a $25 million civil penalty to resolve an investigation into whether FPL violated Reliability Standards associated with a Florida blackout on February 26, 2008.

On October 2, 2009, FERC conditionally approved ISO New England Inc.’s (“ISO-NE”) Reliability Commitment Mitigation rules as applied to resources used to maintain electric reliability. 

On September 30, 2009, the former Chairman of FERC spoke at The Energy Daily Transmission Siting Policy Summit about the need for FERC to have a national rulemaking on cost allocation to allow for creating a clean energy grid. 

On September 24, 2009, former Chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC” or the “Commission”), Joseph Kelliher spoke about the Commission’s enforcement program at Infocast’s FERC Compliance Summit.  Kelliher stated that the enforcement program was young, and has laid a “good foundation.”  However, Kelliher believes there is still room for improvement.

On October 1, 2009, FERC released its Strategic Plan for FY 2009 to 2014. 

On September 21, 2009, in a surprise announcement, Commissioner Suedeen Kelly stated she would turn down President Obama’s nomination for another term at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC” or the “Commission”) to pursue opportunities in the private sector.

On September 21, 2009, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC” or the “Commission”) approved an uncontested settlement with its Enforcement Litigation Staff and  Energy Transfer Partners L.P., Energy Transfer Company, ETC Marketing Ltd., and Houston Pipe Line Company LP (collectively “ETP”) for $30 million in a market manipulation case.