The essentials
- The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) regulates interstate electricity commerce over long-distance transmission lines.
- FERC recently issued Order No. 1000, with an initial compliance deadline of October 11, 2012.
- The purpose of FERC Order No. 1000 is to create more competitive wholesale electricity markets by removing barriers to building new interstate transmission lines.
- The new ruling is partly aimed at enabling regions to make transmission investments necessary to meet state renewable energy policies.