Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
Various authorities and functions of Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) assists consumers in obtaining reliable, safe, secure, and economically efficient energy services at a reasonable cost through appropriate regulatory and market means, and collaborative efforts.
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, or FERC, is an independent agency that regulates the interstate transmission of electricity, natural gas, and oil. FERC also reviews proposals to build liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals and interstate natural gas pipelines as well as licensing hydropower projects. The Energy Policy Act of 2005 gave FERC additional responsibilities as outlined and updated Strategic Plan.
As part of that responsibility, FERC:
- Regulates the transmission and wholesale sale of electricity in interstate commerce
- Reviews certain mergers and acquisitions and corporate transactions by electricity companies
- Regulates the transmission and sale of natural gas for resale in interstate commerce
- Regulates the transportation of oil by pipelines in interstate commerce
- Approves the siting and abandonment of interstate natural gas pipelines and storage facilities
- Reviews the siting application for electric transmission projects under limited circumstances
- Assesses the safe operation and reliability of proposed and operating LNG terminals
- Licenses and inspects private, municipal, and state hydroelectric projects
- Protects the reliability of the high voltage interstate transmission system through mandatory reliability standards
- Monitors and investigates energy markets
- Enforces FERC regulatory requirements through imposition of civil penalties and other means
- Oversees environmental matters related to natural gas and hydroelectricity projects and other matters
- Administers accounting and financial reporting regulations and conduct of regulated companies.
- Industries & data: Market assessments and resources on Electric, Oil, Hydropower, and Natural gas industries.
- Public participation: The Office of Public Participation (OPP) assists the public with Commission proceedings
- Enforcement & Legal: Enforcement data and resources regarding investigations, Self Reports, Audits, Accounting Matters, Enforcement Resources, Enforcement Hotline, Compliance, Enforcement Reliability, Prohibition of Energy Market Manipulation, Civil Penalties, No Action Letters, Interest Rates.
- Legal: Federal Statutes, Major Orders & Regulations, Equity Action Plan, Administrative, Litigation, Alternative Dispute Resolution, Court Cases, Complaints, Settlements, Memoranda of Understanding (MOU), Information Collections, No Fear Act.
- FOIA: Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Privacy Act. Overview, Electronic FOIA, Request Form, Electronic Privacy Act Request Consent for Disclosure of Records
- Electronic Privacy Act Request for Individual Access to Records, Freedom of Information Act Guide, Service Center, Reading Room Material, Frequently Requested, Processed Records, Annual Reports, Quarterly Reports.
- CEII: Critical Energy/Electric Infrastructure Information (CEII). Overview, Electronic CEII Request Form, Related Document Classes, Commission CEII Contacts, FERC CUI Processes, Dam and Safety Inspection Documents, Designation of Incoming Dam Safety Documents.
- News, Events, & media: Staff reports, notices, newsletter, events, meetings, notational orders, ALJ proceedings, court cases, scoping meetings, conferences & workshops, careers, podcasts, media relations, congressional affairs division.
- About: what is FERC, Commission Members & Senior Staff, Offices.
FERC Online:
- Filing Fees, Filing Forms, Notice Formats, How to Guides, Company Registration, Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), Comment Policy.
- eLibrary: Quick User Guide, Key Features, Tips for Searching, Tips for Downloading Documents, Accessibility Tips, Standards for Descriptions of Documents Submitted to FERC, File Formats Supported By PDF Generation, Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).
- eTariff: Overview, Sandbox Electronic Test Site, Commission Orders and Notices, Instructive Orders, Natural Gas Filings, Pipeline Tariff Filing Preparation, Electric and MBR Step-by-Step Filing, View Individual Tariffs.
In the 1920’s the Federal Power Commission regulated hydropower dams. Latter President Franklin D. Roosevelt advocated legislation to deconstruct energy monopolies, and in 1935 Congress accepted the Federal Power Act. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission was established October 1, 1977, to replace the Federal Power Commission with the directive to govern wholesale electricity prices and determine if prices were just to the public ratepayers. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission consists of a five-member governing board designated by the president and comprises five commissioners, serving five-year terms.
The U.S. electricity system Eastern Interconnection has 36 balancing authorities controlling the generation and transmission of electricity throughout their own regions and between neighboring regions. The Eastern Interconnection in the northeast region includes New Hampshire. New Hampshire is a restructured state, meaning electric utilities no longer own generation assets and the transmission and distribution systems remain under private utility ownership. Interstate transmission is regulated by the FERC and the distribution system is regulated by the NH PUC.