FERC: For Citizens: Get Involved

Get Involved

If you think you might be affected by a proposed natural gas or hydroelectric project regulated by the Commission, you have certain rights. These rights range from being able to look at project correspondence to becoming an intervener and being able to appeal any FERC decisions in federal court.

The Commission’s Citizen’s Guides are a good place to start.

Should I Get Involved?
Only you can ultimately answer this but we can help you think things through. Read More.

How to Get Involved
Take advantage of a suite of electronic services to easily get involved. Still prefer paper? That’s fine too. Read more.

The Process
Natural gas and hydropower projects have distinct processes. This overview will help you to participate. Read More

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, or FERC, is an independent agency that regulates the interstate transmission of electricity, natural gas, and oil.

Contains sections on how to file a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request, Enforcement, Legal Resources, Dispute Resoulution Service (DRS), etc.

Editor’s Note: (update 26 Jan 2025.)

Update. Will Democrats maintain control of FERC?

See also: Peter Behr, Francisco “A.J.” Camacho. Harris vs. Trump and the future of FERC’s grid policy. 20 Aug 2024. E & E News by Politico.

Then there’s what happens under Order 1920, the most far-reaching federal effort to spur development of regional grids since FERC created regional transmission organizations 25 years ago.

Utilities are supposed to submit compliance filings on most of Order 1920 requirements by next summer. Utilities will have finished initial plans before Trump could gain a Republican majority at FERC.

The next Democrat-filled seat becomes vacant when the current chair, Phillips, is scheduled to retire. But a GOP-led commission could happen sooner if Phillips decided to resign from the commission, as President Barack Obama’s appointee Norman Bay did after Trump took office in 2017.
Peter Behr, Francisco “A.J.” Camacho. Harris vs. Trump and the future of FERC’s grid policy. 20 Aug 2024. E & E News by Politico.

See also: George Weykamp, Maya Weber. Trump taps Mark Christie to replace Phillips as US FERC chairman. 20 Jan 2025. S & P Global.

Commissioner Mark Christie will serve as the next chair of the US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, replacing Democrat Willie Phillips, the White House said in a Jan. 20 statement…

…”For four years, I have emphasized protecting consumers from excessive power bills, meeting the reliability crisis driven by losses of dispatchable generation and failure to build new generation, in the face of rising demand,” Christie said in a statement posted on social media. “Meeting these challenges are my top priorities and I have always said that the states must be full partners with FERC in protecting customers and assuring reliability.”

On the power side, Christie was a fierce critic of a sweeping new FERC grid planning rule, Order 1920, aimed at boosting the nation’s grid capacity when it was initially passed in May. In a lengthy dissent, he argued that the rule overstepped the agency’s statutory authority and superseded the role of state regulatory bodies.

On rehearing, Christie concurred in part to the rule after provisions were added to give states more authority on scenario development and cost allocation processes. However, the portion of his dissent that said FERC lacked the legal justification to issue the rule still stands.

On the gas side, Christie is a staunch advocate for pipeline development and frequently hashed out compromises with Phillips to advance infrastructure projects. And while natural gas project orders drew sharp divisions in recent years over matters such as greenhouse gas considerations, recent decisions on project certificates have advanced with little fanfare at FERC meetings, without dissents, by the five sitting commissioners at the agency now.

As chair, Christie will set the commission’s regulatory agenda and exert considerable influence over staffing. However, how much control he can wield will depend on how long departing chair Phillips decides to stay on as commissioner. Phillip’s term officially expires in 2026. In the past, FERC chairs have many times stepped away from the agency when the presidency is won by a member of the opposing political party and appoints a new chair. But Phillips told reporters in December he had made no decision on whether to stay or go.

If Phillips stays, Democrats could retain a 3-2 majority through 2026. If he decides to vacate his post early, President Donald Trump would be able to nominate a Republican replacement, which would give Republicans a majority.
See also: George Weykamp, Maya Weber. Trump taps Mark Christie to replace Phillips as US FERC chairman. 20 Jan 2025. S & P Global.