Fed's Energy Regulatory Commission
On Sept. 20, Enough Commissioners Convene
Maybe people forgot FERC meets monthly, when there’s enough commissioners.
FERC
Sheila Hollis: Energy Law Career
Partner/chair of the DC office of Duane Morris LLP
She was the first director of FERC's Office of Enforcement, establishing the office and its policies and procedures.
Just Two FERC Commissioners
We sat down with chair Cheryl LaFleur and commissioner Colette Honorable as their extraordinary time as the only members of the FERC continues.
Since early February 2017, FERC has faced an unprecedented freeze of certain major agenda items when one of its three remaining commissioners resigned, leaving just two. The agency usually has five commissioners, and typically needs a quorum of at least three to approve certain projects. FERC has never been in a situation in which it had just two commissioners until this year.
FERC, Renewables and Potatoes
Hidden Costs of Externalities
We continue to rush towards a renewable future without considering overall system design, the costs that various renewable scenarios impose on grid operation, and the operation of the grid with these scenarios. When the externalities of climate change and ocean acidification create an overwhelming mandate to move away from fossil fuels, we have no choice but to go forward. Shouldn't we try to pick the cheapest path?
Energy People: Rob Powelson
We talked with NARUC President, Commissioner Rob Powelson
Commissioner Powelson was installed as the 128th president of NARUC in November 2016.
Modernizing PURPA
Should FERC rewrite rules or let states make reforms?
Idaho has a problem with PURPA. So does North Carolina, and other states in between. Utilities have complaints too. Consider industry groups like EEI, representing investor-owned companies, NRECA, representing co-ops, and even NARUC, representing state utility regulators. Each has proposed new rules to fix PURPA, a longtime favorite of enviros. And don’t forget Berkshire Hathaway.
Response to Borlick Re: Order 745
A response to the article by Robert Borlick in our July 2016 Issue
Bob Borlick took to task FERC, Charlie Cicchetti and the Supreme Court in the context of FERC Order 745. Bob’s key point is his view that “Order 745 overcompensates demand response.” Bob’s argument starts from an implicit but false premise.
Pay-As-Bid Revisited
Many see a higher cap as a windfall for nuclear and coal.
FERC’s new rulemaking proposal would allow generators to tender supply bids higher than $1,000 per megawatt-hour, if it really costs that much to buy fuel to generate power. Some opponents say that may be OK for gas-fired turbines, but it’s not needed for nuclear or coal-fired plants.
Topping the $1k Cap
Still Beyond the Pale?
Two decades into our grand experiment with wholesale power markets and we’re still debating the need for a cap on prices.
Energy People: Tony Clark
We talked with FERC Commissioner Tony Clark, who has said he will not seek a second term.
Commissioner Clark is serving his first term at FERC and formerly served as a member of the North Dakota Public Service Commission. He was interviewed by Pat McMurray, who has a long background in the energy business.