FERC Advances Joint Federal-State Task Force on Electric Transmission

On August 30, 2021, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC”) issued an “Order Announcing Members, Announcing Meeting, and Inviting Agenda Topics”. FERC initially announced this effort in its June 17, 2021, Order, pursuant to Section 209(b) of the Federal Power Act, establishing a Joint Federal-State Task Force (“Task Force”) on Electric Transmission.

The August 30th Order states: “As stated in the Establishing Order, all FERC Commissioners will be members of the Task Force. The Chairman of FERC will serve as the Chair of the Task Force to conduct Task Force meetings. One state commission member of the Task Force, selected by the 10 state commission members, will serve as the Vice Chair of the Task Force to coordinate among state commission members, as necessary. Notwithstanding the designation of a Chair and Vice Chair of the Task Force, all members of the Task Force, whether FERC Commissioners or state commission members, will have equal vote on Task Force matters and equal opportunity to participate. Task Force members will sit in an advisory capacity. Participation in the Task Force by any Task Force member will not impact their ability to participate in any proceeding before FERC. No action of the Task Force will bind FERC and/or any state commission to particular future action.”

The first Task Force public meeting will be held on Wednesday, November 10, 2021.

View the August 30, 2021 Order here: https://elibrary.ferc.gov/eLibrary/filelist?accession_number=20210830-3058&optimized=false

View the June 17, 2021 Order here: https://cms.ferc.gov/media/e-1-order-establish-joint-federal-state-task-force-electric-transmission