Brian Heslin

Supreme Court Continues to Stake Out FERC Jurisdiction, Invalidates State Gas-Fired Power Plant Incentive Program

In an opinion unanimous in judgment (albeit with two concurring opinions), the U.S. Supreme Court recently reiterated the reach of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (FERC) jurisdiction over interstate wholesale electricity sales in Hughes v. Talen Energy Marketing, LLC, 578 U.S. ___ (2016). In the midst of rapid transformation in the energy industry, the expansion … Continue reading →

[Event] Jeffries and Heslin to Instruct Natural Gas Utility Basics Course Hosted by EUCI March 7-8

Charlotte Energy Members Jim Jeffries and Brian Heslin will instruct the EUCI Natural Gas Utility Basics Course on March 7-8 in Houston, TX. The dynamics of the energy industry are rapidly changing through an uptick in consolidation via M&A activity and increasing interdependency of the gas and electric industries. This course is ideal for individuals desiring to … Continue reading →

Supreme Court: FERC Has Authority to Regulate Electricity Market Demand Response Prices to Bolster Grid Reliability

Several energy cases have worked their way to the steps of the U.S. Supreme Court recently. On Monday January 25, 2016, the High Court issued its 6-2 decision in FERC v. Electric Power Supply Assn, et al., 577 U. S. ____ (2016) confirming that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) does have the authority under the … Continue reading →

EIB Energy Highlights: SCOTUS on FERC, Nat Gas Record Year, Oil & Gas Exports, Winter Outlook, Cybersecurity & More

Supreme Court Questions FERC Authority to Regulate Electricity Market Demand Response to Bolster Grid Reliability

Ensuring the reliability of the electric power grid in times of extreme weather and other times of peak usage is critical to avoid interruptions in power and black outs. Reflecting on the 2014 Polar Vortex, the paramount importance of a secure and reliable grid is made abundantly clear. Balancing the supply of electricity with fluctuating … Continue reading →

U.S. House Casts Bi-Partisan Vote to Lift Restrictions on Export of U.S. Crude Oil

Legislative efforts to lift restrictions on the export of U.S. crude oil continue to progress, but are expected to meet with staunch Presidential opposition.  On October 9, 2015, the full U.S. House of Representatives considered and decided in a 261/159 bipartisan vote to pass H.R. 702 – To adapt to changing crude oil market conditions, … Continue reading →

Legislation Allowing the Export of U.S. Crude Oil Advances in Congress, EIA Report Lauded as Support

Modification of the U.S. policy restricting exports of domestic crude oil has been at the forefront of energy policy discussion due to the country’s recent emergence as a leader in oil and natural gas production.  Committees of both the U.S. Senate and U.S. House have initiated and passed legislation seeking to lift the longstanding restrictions … Continue reading →

Update: Latest Challenge of Final Clean Power Plan Rejected by D.C. Circuit

On September 9, 2015, the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals issued a Per Curiam Order resolving the question probed in our post, EPA Back in Court Over Clean Power Plan, Is this Challenge of the Final Rule Premature As Well?.  Following the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (“EPA”) announcement of the final Clean Power Plan in August, several States filed … Continue reading →

EPA Back in Court Over Clean Power Plan, Is this Challenge of the Final Rule Premature As Well?

Since the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) released its proposed Clean Power Plan (“Proposed CPP”) in June 2014, the agency has faced fierce opposition from states and companies seeking to prevent the implementation of the rule designed to drastically reduce CO2 emissions from existing power plants.  In June 2015, Murray Energy Corporation and other opponents … Continue reading →

Legal Challenge to EPA’s Proposed Clean Power Plan Rejected as Premature, Final Rule Sent to OMB for Review

The proposed Clean Power Plan introduced by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in June 2014 has been met with considerable opposition, including a court battle that pitted energy companies and more than twenty States against each other in an effort to prevent the agency from implementing a final rule mandating the reduction of CO2 … Continue reading →