FERC today largely reaffirmed its rule on open access transmission, Order No. 890, issued in 2007 and its later rehearing order, Order No. 890-A. Today’s ruling provides clarification and guidance on the landmark rule.

FERC completed the penalty-setting matrix for violations of mandatory electric reliability standards today when it approved assignments of “Violation Severity Levels” proposed by the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) for the 83 FERC-approved reliability standards. A Violation Severity Level is a post-violation measurement of the degree to which a requirement was violated and will be used by NERC and the Regional Entities in the determination of a monetary penalty for the violation.

FERC today approved a final rule designed to enhance competition in secondary natural gas capacity release markets. This is accomplished principally by removing price caps on short-term releases of capacity, and increasing flexibility afforded asset management agreements under the Commission’s capacity release rules.

FERC says higher fuel prices, increased capital costs and continued uncertainty about climate policy are helping fuel the rising costs of electricity faced by consumers across the country.