December 02, 2015
By:
Walter G. Wright
Category:
Arkansas Environmental, Energy, and Water Law
Arkansas Environmental, Energy, and Water Law
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The United States House of Representatives Subcommittee on Energy and Power of the Energy and Commerce Committee (“Committee”) held a December 1st hearing titled Oversight of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
The witnesses at the hearing included the members of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC”) (including the Chairman):
- Norman C. Bay – Chairman
- Cheryl A. LaFleur – Commissioner
- Tony Clark – Commissioner
- Colette D. Honorable – Commissioner
Ms. Honorable is a former Chairman of the Arkansas Public Service Commission.
The FERC is an independent federal agency that regulates the interstate transmission of electricity, natural gas, and oil. It also addresses proposals to build liquefied natural gas terminals and interstate natural gas pipelines. In addition, it licenses hydropower projects.
A Committee memorandum describing the hearing noted:
Given the significant shifts taking place in the energy sector, it is paramount that FERC carefully weigh decisions and policies that can adapt to new challenges and opportunities to build a market-driven, modern and flexible system while ensuring the continued safe, reliable and affordable delivery of energy to consumers. Such shifts also raise important questions as to whether FERC’s statutory authorities – namely those derived from the FPA and NGA – require modernization to reflect current energy realities. It is equally critical to evaluate whether FERC is overstepping its existing statutory boundaries to pursue policy goals not intended by Congress.
Click here to download a copy of the FERC Chairman and three Commissioners testimony along with the Committee hearing memorandum.
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