On February 19, 2026, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) issued a notice of proposed rulemaking that would expand an existing National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) categorical exclusion to cover certain terminations and revocations of hydropower licenses and exemptions. The
Washington Energy Report
The Washington Energy Report, published by Troutman Pepper Locke, focuses on regulatory developments and enforcement actions related to energy markets and infrastructure. It covers Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) decisions on transmission tariffs, demand resource testing, pipeline price indices, and generator interconnection processes. The blog also addresses FERC rulemakings, policy proceedings, and litigation involving market manipulation and tariff compliance. Topics include regulatory certainty initiatives, enforcement proceedings, and procedural updates affecting oil pipelines, electricity markets, and natural gas infrastructure. The content is relevant for stakeholders in energy regulation, market operations, and compliance within the U.S. energy sector.
Latest from Washington Energy Report - Page 5
DC Circuit Upholds PJM’s Sunset of EER Participation in Capacity Auctions
By Ben Duwve & Dixon Wallace
On February 10, 2026, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit (DC Circuit) upheld FERC’s order accepting revisions to the PJM Interconnection, L.L.C. (PJM) Open Access Transmission Tariff (Tariff) to prohibit Energy Efficiency Resources (EERs) from…
FERC Dismisses BGE Complaint Against Transco Challenging Negotiated Rate Below Recourse Rate
By Alex Spratley & Jill Drum
On February 19, 2026, FERC dismissed a complaint filed by Baltimore Gas and Electric Company (BGE) against Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company, LLC (Transco) asserting that BGE had a contractual right to challenge its negotiated rate with Transco pursuant to…
FERC Issues CPCN for Transco Southeast Supply Enhancement Project
On January 29, 2025, FERC issued a certificate of public convenience and necessity (CPCN) to Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company, LLC (Transco) to construct and operate its Southeast Supply Enhancement Project (Project).
The Project expands Transco’s existing natural gas transmission…
FERC Accepts PJM’s Replacement Generation Interconnection Process
On January 29, 2026, FERC accepted PJM Interconnection, L.L.C.’s (PJM) revisions to its Open Access Transmission Tariff (Tariff) to create a separate, fast‑track interconnection process for “Replacement Generation Resources” that assume Capacity Interconnection Rights (CIRs) from retiring generators. The new…
FERC Approves 1,200‑MW Pumped Storage Project on Former Smelter Site
On January 22, 2026, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission or FERC) issued a 40‑year original license to FFP Project 101, LLC (FFP) to construct and operate a 1,200‑megawatt pumped storage hydropower facility, the Goldendale Energy Storage Project, in Klickitat County,…
D.C. Circuit Confirms FERC’s Section 206 Authority to Reprice PJM Capacity Auctions Despite Third Circuit Section 205 Ruling
On January 13, 2026, the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit (D.C. Circuit) in FERC v. PJM Interconnection, LLC., et al., held that FERC erred in concluding that a prior decision of the United States…
Senate Proposes Bill to Exempt Isolated Large Loads from Federal Regulation
On January 7, 2026, Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR) introduced the Decentralized Access to Technology Alternatives Act (DATA Act) (S.3585), that if adopted, would exempt isolated large loads from regulation under the Federal Power Act (FPA) and the implementing regulations of…
Battery Chemistry’s AI Era
Host Bill Derasmo sits down with ZincFive’s vice president of global sales and product management, Brandon Smith, to talk about why nickel-zinc battery chemistry is built for the AI era. With a career that spans oil and gas, UPS systems,…
FERC Accepts SPP’s Large Load Interconnection Process
On January 14, 2026, FERC accepted the Southwest Power Pool, Inc.’s (SPP) revisions to its Open Access Transmission Tariff (Tariff) to create a High Impact Large Load (HILL) study process and High Impact Large Load Generation Assessment (HILLGA) process. The…