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Regulating Energy
The Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission, also known as FERC, is an independent government agency,
officially organized as part of the Department of Energy.
FERC
is responsible for regulating the interstate transmission of natural
gas, oil, and electricity
What that means is that FERC makes sure that natural gas, oil
and electricity are transported from place to place in a way that
complies with the law. FERC is also monitoring energy markets
and companies to protect customers from market manipulation and higher prices.
FERC regulates the wholesale sale of electricity.
It also licenses and inspects hydroelectric
projects and approves the construction of interstate natural gas
pipelines, storage facilities, and Liquified Natural Gas Terminals throughout
the United States.
FERC also resolves disputes between energy companies, other
organizations and the public. In very complex and
controversial cases, the Commission usually assigns the cases to
Administrative Law Judges, attorneys and technical staff.
FERC's Dispute Resolution Service also assists companies and
individuals who wish to use alternative dispute resolution
methods.
The Commission's headquarters is located at 888 First Street,
NE, in Washington D.C. FERC also has regional offices in Atlanta,
Chicago, New York, Portland, and San Francisco. The regional
offices’ primary responsibilities are to monitor hydropower dam
safety and environmental compliance.
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