On June 23, 2009, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit (“DC Circuit”) upheld the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (“FERC” or “Commission”) ruling that it had the authority to approve installed capacity requirements for ISO New England, Inc. (“ISO New England”).
FERC News
NASUCA Recommends New RTO/ISO Governing Structures
By Troutman Pepper Locke on
Posted in Uncategorized
On June 19, 2009, the National Association of State Utility Consumer Advocates (“NASUCA”) released a report that recommended changes to the governing structures of regional transmission organizations (“RTOs”) and independent system operators (“ISOs”). The report was prepared by a NASUCA special committee, and has since been adopted by resolution of NASUCA members.
FERC Accepts Southwest Power Pool’s Funding Proposal to Integrate Wind Resources
By Troutman Pepper Locke on
Posted in Uncategorized
On April 24, 2009, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“Commission” or “FERC”) approved a wind transmission cost allocation proposal by the Southwest Power Pool, Inc. (“SPP”), designed to reduce barriers to integrating wind power in the region and thereby expand the availability of wind generation resources.
FERC Releases Assessment on State-by-State Demand Response Potential
By Troutman Pepper Locke on
Posted in Uncategorized
On June 18, 2009, FERC released a national assessment detailing demand response potential with a state-by-state analysis. The report estimates that demand response potential can reduce peak electricity demand by 4% to 20%, which translates to between 38 gigawatts (“GW”) and 188 GW, by 2019.
President Obama to Nominate John Norris for Commissioner at FERC
By Troutman Pepper Locke on
Posted in Uncategorized
On Wednesday, President Obama announced his intention to nominate John R. Norris as Commissioner of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC” or the “Commission”). Currently, Mr. Norris is Chief of Staff for Secretary Tom Vilsack at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (“USDA”), a position he has held since January of…
Rep. Markey Questions FERC Chairman on Incentive-Based Rates, Requests Report
By Troutman Pepper Locke on
Posted in Uncategorized
On June 3, 2009, Rep. Edward Markey (D-MA), chairman of the House Subcommittee on Energy and Environment, sent a letter to FERC Chairman Jon Wellinghoff requesting “information on the level and focus of transmission investments in response to FERC’s transmission incentive policy.”
FERC Approves Incentives for MAPP Project
By Troutman Pepper Locke on
Posted in Uncategorized
On May 29, FERC approved a request from Baltimore Gas and Electric Company (“BG&E”) to implement Order No. 679 transmission rate incentives for its portion of the 230-mile, 500 kV Mid-Atlantic Power Pathway (“MAPP”) Project.
FERC and Washington State Sign a MOU for Hydrokinetic Energy Projects
By Troutman Pepper Locke on
Posted in Uncategorized
On June 4, 2009, FERC and Washington State signed a Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) to coordinate their review of projects that use emerging hydrokinetic technologies in Washington’s waters. Hydrokinetic facilities generate electricity from waves or directly from the flow of water in ocean currents, tides, or rivers.
FERC Holds Workshop on Pipeline Siting and Stakeholder Involvement
By Troutman Pepper Locke on
Posted in Uncategorized
On Monday, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC” or “Commission”) held a workshop, hosted by Commissioner Philip Moeller, discussing natural gas pipeline siting and stakeholder involvement.
FERC Releases Summer State of the Market Report
By Troutman Pepper Locke on
Posted in Uncategorized
On May 21, 2009, FERC released its “2009 Summer Energy Market Reliability Assessment” on energy expectations for the upcoming summer. Generally, FERC forecasted loads will be lower than the 2007 and 2008 summer seasons.