FERC: Ethics

May not accept (1) a gift from any person, company, or organization that is regulated by, does business before or with, or whose interests are otherwise affected by FERC, or (2) a gift given because of the employee's position at the agency.

Such gifts include, but are not limited to, meals, transportation, lodging, and tickets, as well as free or reduced tuition or attendance at industry-sponsored events (seminars, conferences, receptions, etc.).

This rule applies to any donor, not just regulated companies. It also applies to site visits.

There are some exceptions. An employee may accept an unsolicited gift of $20 or less per source per occasion, subject to a $50 annual limit. An employee may generally not accept any other gift absent a determination from the Designated Agency Ethics Official (DAEO) that another exception applies. Note: an employee may not make that determination on his or her own. Also, absent a generic decision by the DAEO, permission that one employee may attend an event does not apply to anyone else unless so determined by the DAEO.

May not accept reimbursement from an outside source for official travel without the DAEO's determination that such reimbursement is permitted under the law. That determination must be made before the scheduled travel; it may not be made retroactively.