Congress Congressional Affairs

Congressional Affairs facilitates the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's relationship with Congress to address issues within FERC's jurisdiction, such as the regulation of the interstate transmission of electricity, natural gas, and oil, proposals to build liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals and interstate natural gas pipelines as well as licensing hydropower projects. The Energy Policy Act of 2005 gave FERC additional responsibilities as outlined in FERC's top priorities and updated Strategic Plan web pages.

Congressional Affairs also works closely with members of Congress and staff to provide Congressional Testimony, to give technical assistance when requested, to answer inquiries and to offer briefings on Commission actions.

The Commission's regulations (18 C.F.R. sec. 388.2201 (2005)) require that communications from elected officials relating to a contested on the record proceeding be included in the Commission's public files and made available for public inspection and comment. Congressional letters pertaining to contested proceedings have been routinely included in the Commission's public files.