In “FERC in Focus,” we talk to Federal Energy Regulatory Commission experts, including former FERC commissioners, for insight into what’s happening — and what might happen next — at the agency that oversees wholesale electricity markets, interstate transmission, non-federal hydroelectric facilities and other areas affecting the power sector.
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FERC in Focus
A monthly column that shines a light on the top issues facing the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
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FERC in Focus: What’s on tap for the rest of 2024 as FERC’s 3 new commissioners gear up?
By Ethan Howland • July 18, 2024Experts expect the commission will tackle rehearing requests on its new transmission planning rule and review interconnection reform compliance plans, among other actions, over the next six months. Read the full article ➔
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FERC in Focus: Has the agency been ‘captured’ by the sectors it regulates?
By Ethan Howland • June 11, 2024FERC Commissioner Mark Christie thinks so. Other FERC experts don't go that far, but they see the commission giving a strong deference to utility companies. Read the full article ➔
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FERC in Focus: How will 2 Supreme Court cases — on Chevron deference and ALJs — affect the commission?
By Ethan Howland • May 13, 2024The court may be poised to limit the leeway courts give to federal agencies like the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission when interpreting ambiguous laws and to require changes to how it handles market manipulation cases. Read the full article ➔
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FERC works ‘feverishly’ on transmission reform, with near-term focus on interconnection rule
By Ethan Howland • March 17, 2023“Transmission reform addresses all of the major priorities that I've set out for this commission: reliability, affordability and sustainability,” Acting FERC Chairman Willie Phillips said Thursday. Read the full article ➔
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FERC in Focus: Phillips, Danly, Clements and Christie’s top 10 quotes for ’23
By Ethan Howland • Dec. 18, 2023Grid reliability, transmission reform and power markets are among the top issues FERC addressed — and FERC commissioners commented on — this year, setting the stage for 2024. Read the full article ➔
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FERC in Focus: Is FERC making progress on environmental justice?
By Ethan Howland • Nov. 30, 2023“We continue to work, but there's more work to be done,” Willie Phillips, FERC acting chairman, said. Environmental justice advocates agree. Read the full article ➔
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FERC in Focus: Would 2 empty seats in 2024 be so bad?
By Ethan Howland • Oct. 4, 2023A Federal Energy Regulatory Commission staffer is the leading nominee for one empty seat, but questions about timing — and about Commissioner James Danly’s seat — remain. Read the full article ➔