Department of Energy March 26, 2009 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is issuing an order on rehearing and clarification of Long-Term Firm Transmission Rights in Organized Electricity Markets, Order No. 681-A, 71 FR 68,440 (November 16, 2006). The order on rehearing affirms, with certain clarifications, the fundamental determinations made in Order No. 681, as clarified by Order No. 681-A.

This proposed policy statement and action plan provides guidance to inform the development of a smarter grid for the Nation's electric transmission system focusing on the development of key standards to achieve interoperability of smart grid devices and systems. The Commission also proposes a rate policy for the interim period until interoperability standards are adopted. Smart grid investments that demonstrate system security and compliance with Commission-approved Reliability Standards, the ability to be upgraded, and other specified criteria will be eligible for timely rate recovery and other rate treatments. This rate policy will encourage development of smart grid systems.