Department of Energy January 10, 2011 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or Commission), with the concurrence of the Office of Government Ethics (OGE), is amending the Supplemental Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC Supplemental Standards). The final rule expands existing FERC Supplemental Standards involving prohibited financial interests and clarifies an exception to the general prohibition. The rule codifies existing reporting, divestiture, and disqualification requirements related to prohibited financial interests and clarifies that an employee may be eligible to defer the tax consequences of divestiture under subpart J of 5 CFR part 2634. The amendments codify the current agency practice regarding disqualification and waivers. See 5 CFR 2635.403(a). Additionally, the amendment makes minor revisions to the definitions.