What is the role of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) in utilities law?

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is an independent regulatory agency within the United States Department of Energy. The FERC was created by the Department of Energy Organization Act in 1977. The primary role of the FERC is to regulate interstate electricity, natural gas, and oil transmission and pricing. In addition, the FERC also has authority to issue permits for hydroelectric projects, approve liquefied natural gas terminals, and enforce efficiency standards for natural gas and electric utilities. In the state of Maryland, the FERC plays an important role in utilities law, regulating electricity and gas services. The FERC has the ability to establish wholesale electric rates for the state, increase oversight of energy markets, and review proposed utilities projects for their environmental and economic impacts. FERC has also approved the deregulation of Maryland’s retail electric market, which allowed customers to select from a range of competitive electricity suppliers. FERC also has the authority to investigate complaints about utilities and electric power marketers, review state public utility commissions when their decisions are challenged, and prosecute violations of the Natural Gas Act, Energy Policy Act, and Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act. Overall, the FERC’s role in utilities law in Maryland is to ensure environmental, economic, and consumer protection when it comes to electricity, natural gas, and oil services. The FERC also plays an important role in overseeing the state’s retail electricity market.

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What is the role of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) in utilities law?

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