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Things You See Everyday
Things You See Everyday
Energy is all around you everyday, no matter where you live in the United States. Click on the objects below to find out more about how they relate to FERC.
Pipelines can sometimes be seen above ground but are also buried underground. When they are buried underground they are marked with pipeline markers. Pipelines carry gas and also oil. The FERC regulates gas pipelines by granting and regulating licenses to build new pipelines, as well as oversees the process when companies want to abandon pipeline facilities. To learn more about gas pipelines and regulation visit the Gas area of the Students' Corner.
Electrical Poles are seen everywhere in the United States, for they are used for the transmission of electrical power both within state lines and across state borders. The FERC is responsible for regulating the transmission of electrical power across state borders. Part of this regulation involves pricing of wholesale power sales. To learn more about electricity and regulation, visit our Electricity area of the Students' Corner.
Wind Turbine is a rotary device that extracts energy from the wind. Wind energy, while a relatively new market entrant, is the fastest growing electricity generation technology in the world today. FERC is ensuring that wind energy can compete on a level playing field with other technologies.
Dams control the flow of water and create a reservoir. They can be seen anywhere in the United States where there is a significant river or body of water. The FERC regulates the building of dams according to safety measures and also assists in protecting the environment by setting up recreation areas around dams. To learn more about dams and hydropower visit the Hydropower section of the Students' Corner.
Oil Derricks can be seen all over the United States wherever there is oil underneath the ground to mine. They are most common in the Mid-west, South and West of the country. The FERC does not regulate the mining of oil, but does regulate its transportation from one state to the other, as well as from the United States to other foreign countries. To learn more about oil and regulation, visit the Oil area of the Students' Corner.
Casing Vents can be seen next to road and railroad crossings across the United States wherever there are pipelines laid, and are placed there as a safety measure. Casing vents allow the escape of gas into the atmosphere at the event of a leak in the pipeline at the cased or sealed area. To learn more about gas pipelines and regulation visit the Gas area of the Students' Corner.
Hydrokinetic projects are projects that generate electricity from waves or directly from the flow of water in ocean currents, tides, or inland waterways. The FERC regulates these projects through safety and environmental measures.
Solar Panel is a packaged interconnected assembly of solar cells, also known as photovoltaic cells. The solar panel is used as a component in a larger photovoltaic system to offer electricity for commercial and residential applications. FERC is ensuring that solar energy can compete on a level playing field with other technologies. is a packaged interconnected assembly of solar cells, also known as photovoltaic cells. The solar panel is used as a component in a larger photovoltaic system to offer electricity for commercial and residential applications. FERC is ensuring that solar energy can compete on a level playing field with other technologies.
Oil Tankers can be seen on any of the major bodies of water surrounding the United States. The FERC regulates the transportation of oil from one state to the other and from any place in the United States to any other foreign country. To learn more about oil and regulation, visit the Oil area of the Students' Corner.
