Energy Interdependency Blog
Brian Heslin
Electric Grid Reliability and Resiliency in the Spotlight with DOE Pricing NOPR & More
Pushing through a record hurricane season has tested the resiliency of the human spirit, as well as that of the energy infrastructure we so heavily rely upon. In the last month, we have seen efforts on multiple fronts with a focus on ensuring the reliability and resiliency of the nation’s electric grid. In mid-September, the … Continue reading
FERC Underestimates its Authority: Recoupment vs. Refund of Unjust & Unreasonable Rates
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has the authority to order a public utility to refund to its customers rates that FERC determines to be unjust and unreasonable. But what if FERC later determines that the public utility should not have paid the refund? Does FERC have the authority to order the customer to return … Continue reading
FERC Conditional Approval of Natural Gas Pipeline Consistent with Clean Water Act Sequencing Requirements
In the midst of the U.S. energy boom, the expansion and modernization of the nation’s energy infrastructure has been a priority. The ramp up in shale natural gas production has spurred investments in pipeline projects, particularly in the Northeast where infrastructure failed to support the rising levels of gas production. The review and approval process … Continue reading
Oil Pipeline Rate Regulation under Review by FERC – Is There a Place for the Consumer Voice?
Oil pipeline rates must be just and reasonable and may be challenged by their customer shippers and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) under the Interstate Commerce Act (ICA). FERC has observed through monitoring that some oil pipelines continue to receive rate increases under the primary process used to adjust oil pipeline rates – the … Continue reading
As Agency Enforcement Efforts Mount, CFTC Prohibits Private Lawsuits Against RTOs/ISOs for Market Manipulation
Incidents of alleged fraud and market manipulation in the energy markets increasingly have received the attention of federal agency enforcement efforts, including the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). Our recent post highlights FERC’s growing efforts to combat market manipulation. And on November 21, 2016, the CFTC released its … Continue reading
Do Not Pass Go: FERC Administrative Proceedings Remain First Stop for Market Manipulation Claims under the Natural Gas Act
Fraud and energy market manipulation have remained priorities of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s Office of Enforcement (OE) over the past several years. The agency has ramped up its investigative efforts, reporting that fourteen out of the nineteen investigations opened last year involved market manipulation and the OE had never had as many litigation proceedings in … Continue reading
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