The ultimate future of FERC Order 1920 depends on rehearing, implementation and inevitable litigation, but after reading through the order itself in the past week, many stakeholders see it as an important step forward in expanding the grid.

FERC is set to vote on its long-awaited proposed rule on transmission planning and cost allocation for regional lines at a special open meeting May 13.

FERC appears to be nearing completion on its transmission planning rulemaking, with cost allocation rules and the federal ROFR among the issues at stake.

FERC’s transmission planning NOPR has won wide praise, but the consensus proposal also represented a retreat on efforts to open development to competition.

FERC Chairman Norman Bay named Larry Gasteiger as his chief of staff and Larry Parkinson as the director of the commission’s Office of Enforcement.

A senior-level retirement has given Cheryl LaFleur an opportunity to put her stamp on FERC during her brief chairmanship.

After nearly four years of investigation, FERC publicly accused an energy trading firm of market manipulation in a case that dogged enforcement chief Norman Bay through his confirmation as commissioner.

Top enforcement officials at FERC and the CFTC assured energy lawyers they respect the due process rights of investigative targets, rejecting allegations that they have employed heavy-handed tactics.