What is FERC?
The
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is an independent
government agency, officially organized as part of the Department
of Energy.
The purpose of the Commission is to protect the public and energy
customers, ensuring that regulated energy companies are acting
within the law.
FERC is responsible for:
 The
Commission is composed of five members, known as Commissioners,
who:
- Are appointed by the President of the United States, with
the advice and consent of the Senate;
- Serve five-year terms; and
- Have an equal vote on regulatory matters.
Also, to prevent undue political influence, no more than three
Commissioners may belong to the same political party.
The Commission recovers the full cost of its operations through annual charges and filing fees assessed on the industries it regulates as authorized by the Federal Power Act and the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1986. The Commission deposits this revenue into the Treasury as a direct offset to its appropriation, resulting in no net appropriations. Congress exercises oversight over the Commission by holding hearings on energy related topics where the Commission offers testimony.
The Commission's headquarters is located at 888 First Street,
NE, in Washington D.C. FERC also has regional offices in
Atlanta, Chicago, New York, Portland, and San Francisco.
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