May 6, 2025
(press release)
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May 6, 2025 Mr. Charles Ezell Acting Director Office of Personnel Management 1900 E Street NW Washington, DC 20415-0001 Re: Review of Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Agency Actions April 21, 2025, through May 2, 2025 Dear Acting Director Ezell: The Office of Personnel Management sent a continuing request to the employees of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or the Commission) for information regarding the work they have completed. As I did in prior letters, I am hereby responding to that request on behalf of the Commission, highlighting selected important actions from the period noted above. The Commission is authorized by statute to ensure the cost-effective and reliable transmission and wholesale sale of electricity and natural gas in interstate commerce, as well as the transportation of oil by pipeline in interstate commerce. FERC also reviews proposals to build interstate natural gas pipelines, natural gas storage projects, and liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals, and licenses non-federal hydropower projects. Congress assigned these responsibilities to FERC in various laws, including the Federal Power Act (FPA), originally enacted over 100 years ago; the Natural Gas Act (NGA); and the Interstate Commerce Act (ICA). In addition, as part of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, Congress gave FERC additional responsibilities to protect the reliability and cybersecurity of the Bulk-Power System through the establishment and enforcement of mandatory reliability standards, as well as additional enforcement authority. FERC’s staff is dedicated to ensuring the Commission meets these statutory obligations. With that in mind, the Commission has accomplished the following important work from April 21, 2025, through May 2, 2025. 888 First Street | Washington, DC 20426 Issued the following Orders under Section 7 of the Natural Gas Act to ensure that infrastructure needed to ensure plentiful supplies of natural gas at reasonable prices is in place: (1) Granted Spire Storage West, LLC an extension of time to complete, and make available for service, its Clear Creek Storage in Wyoming. (2) Granted Sabal Trail Transmission, LLC an extension of time to complete, and make available for service, Phase III of its Sabal Trail Project in Georgia and Florida. Defended in Federal Courts FERC Orders under the Natural Gas Act issuing pipeline certificates and LNG authorizations, including: ANR Pipeline Co. v. FERC (5th Cir. No. 24-60222, et al.; FERC No. RP23-809) – Presented oral argument to the Fifth Circuit defending Order concerning timing of short- notice pipeline service and obligation of shipper to return gas to system. Issued twenty-seven (27) notices to proceed with construction and service of natural gas infrastructure, including but not limited to: (1) Authorized Transcontinental Gas Pipeline Company, LLC to partially place into service its Alabama Georgia Connector Project in Alabama. (2) Authorized Venture Global Plaquemines LNG, LLC to introduce hazardous fluid to Liquefaction Blocks 10 and 11, commission Block 13 equipment with Nitrogen, introduce hazardous fluid to Phase 1 Gas Turbine Generator 5, and introduce aqueous ammonia into the rest of the distribution piping at its Plaquemines LNG Project in Louisiana. (3) Authorized Rio Grande LNG, LLC to install aboveground non-firewater piping in Trains 2 and 3 inside battery limits, install major equipment (air cooler exchangers in work breakdown structures 290R and 390R), and install lighting in work breakdown structure 190 within Train 1 at its Rio Grande LNG Project in Texas. (4) Authorized Golden Pass LNG Terminal LLC to commission the boil-off compression system, LNG storage, liquefaction system, LNG pumps, the end flash gas compression system, and the refrigerant storage systems at its Golden Pass Export Project in Texas. 888 First Street | Washington, DC 20426 (5) Authorized Freeport LNG Development, L.P. to commence commissioning, including cool down of its Phase 3 Project (LNG Tank 3 and associated piping) at its Freeport LNG Project in Texas. Issued necessary assessments for hydropower projects under the Federal Power Act including but not limited to: Issued an Environmental Assessment for license amendments for Presumpscot Hydro LLC’s and Relevate Power Maine LLC’s 2.4-MW Dundee Project No. 2942 and 1.8-MW Eel Weir Project No. 2984 in Maine. The licensees propose to upgrade two generating units and construct a new transformer at the Eel Weir Project and modify the transmission lines at both the Dundee and the Eel Weir projects. Issued Orders for hydropower projects under Part I of the Federal Power Act including but not limited to: (1) A new license to Appalachian Power Company for the 2.4-MW Niagara Hydroelectric Project No. 2466 in Roanoke County, Virginia. (2) A new license to Kaukauna Utilities for the 6.2-MW Combined Locks Hydroelectric Project No. 2715 in Outagamie County, Wisconsin. Issued one hundred and eighty-eight (188) Orders under the Federal Power Act including: (1) Matters concerning electric utility rates, terms, and conditions under Sections 205 and 206 of the Federal Power Act including but not limited to: a. Accepted PJM’s proposal to revise its capacity market rules to protect consumers from price volatility while maintaining investor confidence. b. Approved two settlement agreements to retain a combined approximately 2,000 MW of generation that is needed for reliability in PJM. (2) Corporate matters under sections 203 and 204 of the Federal Power Act, including: a. Authorized investments by a large U.S. based financial institution in a portfolio of approximately 2,300 MW of generation capacity. 888 First Street | Washington, DC 20426 b. Authorized Southwest Power Pool to issue up to $150 million in debt to fund the implementation of Markets+, a new energy market in the Western Interconnection. Commission Staff testified before the House Energy & Commerce, Energy Subcommittee, at a legislative hearing Commission Acting General Counsel and Director of the Office of Energy Projects appeared before the House Committee on Energy & Commerce, Energy Subcommittee, to discuss and answer questions regarding 11 bills addressing issues such as permitting reform, avenues for preventing early baseload generation retirements, expediting interconnection queues, and maintaining grid reliability. Convened a critical meeting with State Regulators on gas-electric coordination Engaged with members of state public service commissions from every region in the U.S. to discuss the ongoing need for greater cooperation and coordination between the natural gas and electric industries, with a particular focus on natural gas storage and reliability in wholesale electric markets. Met with European Commission’s Association for the Coordination of Energy Regulators (ACER) The Chairman and Commissioners met with Christian Zinglersen, Director of the European Commission’s Association for the Coordination of Energy Regulators (ACER). These meetings included discussions of energy markets, transmission cost allocation, LNG exports, and other issues. Released a video featuring 1000+ Significant actions in 100 days As we pursue our vital mission: working to ensure reliable and affordable power for all Americans, the video looks at highlights of the more than 1000 significant actions the Commission has taken in the first 100 days of my chairmanship. 888 First Street | Washington, DC 20426 We appreciate the opportunity to provide you with an overview of the diligent work the Commission does on behalf of the American people to ensure abundant, safe, reliable, and affordable energy for all consumers. Sincerely, Mark C. Christie Chairman Cc: The Honorable Chris Wright, Secretary Department of Energy The Honorable Doug Burgum, Secretary Department of Interior The Honorable Russell Vought, Director Office of Management and Budget The Honorable Dr. Stuart Levenbach, Associate Director Office of Management and Budget Mr. Peter Lake National Energy Dominance Council Department of the Interior 888 First Street | Washington, DC 20426
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