Posts from — June 2010

On June 9, 2010, Senator Dick Lugar (R-IN) introduced an energy legislation alternative to the Kerry-Lieberman and Waxman-Markey bills, entitled the “Practical Energy and Climate Plan” (S. 3464).  [Read more →]

On June 18, 2010, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC” or the “Commission”) rejected the resource adequacy compliance filing by the Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator, Inc. (“Midwest ISO”) for failing to develop a permanent approach to congestion that limits aggregate delivery.  In rejecting the filing, FERC again ordered the Midwest ISO to consider using location-specific capacity requirements in its resource adequacy plan.  [Read more →]

On May 27, 2010, Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) asked the Senate for en banc unanimous consent to confirm over one hundred nominees to various positions in federal agencies, the courts, and the military.  Harkin’s request included Federal Energy Regulatory Commission nominee Cheryl LaFleur and sitting Commissioner Philip Moeller  (see March 12, 2010 edition of the WER). [Read more →]

On May 28, 2010, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit (“Fifth Circuit”) handed the utility, chemical, and oil and gas industry a victory by dismissing the appeal in Comer v. Murphy Oil (“Comer”).   [Read more →]

On June 2, 2010, the Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) finalized a new primary National Ambient Air Quality Standard (“NAAQS”) for sulfur dioxide (“SO2”), after finding that the existing standards are inadequate to protect public health.  [Read more →]