Electric cooperatives are concerned about the accumulation and abuse of market power in the electric industry because cooperatives nationally purchase about half the electricity needed to serve their consumers and often rely on transmission facilities owned by other utilities to deliver that electricity. When market power is abused, rates for wholesale power can be raised and access to transmission can be unfairly limited.
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), the federal agency that implements the Federal Power Act, has as a primary goal of the protection of consumers against market power abuse.
Through comments and pleadings filed with FERC, NRECA actively opposes market power abuse that results in unjust and unreasonable electric rates. NRECA also works closely with FERC to avoid overly burdensome regulations that can create unnecessary costs and interfere with reliable service.
To learn more about NRECA’s position affecting Wholesale Power/FERC Issues, please select the links below.
News:
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NRECA: Industry Expertise Trumps Policy Views in Protecting Reliability
April 22, 2010- NRECA joins industry challenge to FERC’s expansive reading of the Energy Policy Act of 2005. more >>
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FERC Issues Draft Smart Grid Policy Statement
March 26, 2009 - Commission calls MultiSpeak Initiative “best work to date” on interoperability at the distribution level. more >>
NRECA Congratulates Jon Wellinghoff
March 20, 2009 - Wellinghoff named Chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission by President Obama. more >>
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NRECA Argues for Consumer Protection Before Supreme Court
March 20, 2009 - Amicus brief filed with American Public Power Association on March 18. more >>
Capacity and Transmission Challenges Loom for Bulk Power System
November 7, 2008 - Seven of 15 regions in North America projected to dip below recommended capacity margins in the next five years according to NERC assessment. more >>
GAO Report Questions Regional Transmission Organization Accountability
October 15, 2008 - Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) oversight of RTO’s raises concerns. more >>
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Delivers Bad News for Ratepayers
July 2008- Increased fuel costs and higher costs for new construction likely to push up power prices in all regions for several years. more >>
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NERC Outlines Major Challenges to Power System
November 1, 2007- NRECA today joined other associations in a filing to uphold the ability of FERC to protect energy more >>
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NRECA Supports FERC's Authority to Bring Enforcement Action Against Amaranth
September 28, 2007 - NRECA today joined other associations in a filing to uphold the ability of FERC to protect energy consumers under the Energy Policy Act of 2005. more >>
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