SUBCHAPTER XII—ELECTRICITY
Part A—Transmission Infrastructure Modernization
§16421. Third-party finance
(a) Existing facilities
The Secretary, acting through the Administrator of the Western Area Power Administration (hereinafter in this section referred to as "WAPA"), or through the Administrator of the Southwestern Power Administration (hereinafter in this section referred to as "SWPA"), or both, may design, develop, construct, operate, maintain, or own, or participate with other entities in designing, developing, constructing, operating, maintaining, or owning, an electric power transmission facility and related facilities ("Project") needed to upgrade existing transmission facilities owned by SWPA or WAPA if the Secretary, in consultation with the applicable Administrator, determines that the proposed Project—
(1)(A) is located in a national interest electric transmission corridor designated under section 216(a) of the Federal Power Act [
(B) is necessary to accommodate an actual or projected increase in demand for electric transmission capacity;
(2) is consistent with—
(A) transmission needs identified, in a transmission expansion plan or otherwise, by the appropriate Transmission Organization (as defined in the Federal Power Act [
(B) efficient and reliable operation of the transmission grid; and
(3) would be operated in conformance with prudent utility practice.
(b) New facilities
The Secretary, acting through WAPA or SWPA, or both, may design, develop, construct, operate, maintain, or own, or participate with other entities in designing, developing, constructing, operating, maintaining, or owning, a new electric power transmission facility and related facilities ("Project") located within any State in which WAPA or SWPA operates if the Secretary, in consultation with the applicable Administrator, determines that the proposed Project—
(1)(A) is located in an area designated under section 216(a) of the Federal Power Act [
(B) is necessary to accommodate an actual or projected increase in demand for electric transmission capacity;
(2) is consistent with—
(A) transmission needs identified, in a transmission expansion plan or otherwise, by the appropriate Transmission Organization (as defined in the Federal Power Act [
(B) efficient and reliable operation of the transmission grid;
(3) will be operated in conformance with prudent utility practice;
(4) will be operated by, or in conformance with the rules of, the appropriate (A) Transmission Organization, if any, or (B) if such an organization does not exist, regional reliability organization; and
(5) will not duplicate the functions of existing transmission facilities or proposed facilities which are the subject of ongoing or approved siting and related permitting proceedings.
(c) Other funds
(1) In general
In carrying out a Project under subsection (a) or (b), the Secretary may accept and use funds contributed by another entity for the purpose of carrying out the Project.
(2) Availability
The contributed funds shall be available for expenditure for the purpose of carrying out the Project—
(A) without fiscal year limitation; and
(B) as if the funds had been appropriated specifically for that Project.
(3) Allocation of costs
In carrying out a Project under subsection (a) or (b), any costs of the Project not paid for by contributions from another entity shall be collected through rates charged to customers using the new transmission capability provided by the Project and allocated equitably among these project beneficiaries using the new transmission capability.
(d) Relationship to other laws
Nothing in this section affects any requirement of—
(1) any Federal environmental law, including the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (
(2) any Federal or State law relating to the siting of energy facilities; or
(3) any existing authorizing statutes.
(e) Savings clause
Nothing in this section shall constrain or restrict an Administrator in the utilization of other authority delegated to the Administrator of WAPA or SWPA.
(f) Secretarial determinations
Any determination made pursuant to subsections 1 (a) or (b) shall be based on findings by the Secretary using the best available data.
(g) Maximum funding amount
The Secretary shall not accept and use more than $100,000,000 under subsection (c)(1) for the period encompassing fiscal years 2006 through 2015.
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Editorial Notes
References in Text
The Federal Power Act, referred to in subsecs. (a)(2)(A) and (b)(2)(A), is act June 10, 1920, ch. 285,
The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, referred to in subsec. (d)(1), is
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Short Title
For short title of title XII of
1 So in original. Probably should be "subsection".
§16421a. Western Area Power Administration borrowing authority
(a) Definitions
In this section:
(1) Administrator
The term "Administrator" means the Administrator of the Western Area Power Administration.
(2) Secretary
The term "Secretary" means the Secretary of the Treasury.
(b) Authority
(1) In general
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, subject to paragraphs (2) through (5)—
(A) the Western Area Power Administration may borrow funds from the Treasury; and
(B) the Secretary shall, without further appropriation and without fiscal year limitation, loan to the Western Area Power Administration, on such terms as may be fixed by the Administrator and the Secretary, such sums (not to exceed, in the aggregate (including deferred interest), $3,250,000,000 in outstanding repayable balances at any one time) as, in the judgment of the Administrator, are from time to time required for the purpose of—
(i) constructing, financing, facilitating, planning, operating, maintaining, or studying construction of new or upgraded electric power transmission lines and related facilities with at least one terminus within the area served by the Western Area Power Administration; and
(ii) delivering or facilitating the delivery of power generated by renewable energy resources constructed or reasonably expected to be constructed after February 17, 2009.
(2) Interest
The rate of interest to be charged in connection with any loan made pursuant to this subsection shall be fixed by the Secretary, taking into consideration market yields on outstanding marketable obligations of the United States of comparable maturities as of the date of the loan.
(3) Refinancing
The Western Area Power Administration may refinance loans taken pursuant to this section within the Treasury.
(4) Participation
The Administrator may permit other entities to participate in the financing, construction and ownership projects financed under this section.
(5) Congressional review of disbursement
Effective upon February 17, 2009, the Administrator shall have the authority to have utilized $1,750,000,000 at any one time. If the Administrator seeks to borrow funds above $1,750,000,000, the funds will be disbursed unless there is enacted, within 90 calendar days of the first such request, a joint resolution that rescinds the remainder of the balance of the borrowing authority provided in this section.
(c) Transmission line and related facility projects
(1) In general
For repayment purposes, each transmission line and related facility project in which the Western Area Power Administration participates pursuant to this section shall be treated as separate and distinct from—
(A) each other such project; and
(B) all other Western Area Power Administration power and transmission facilities.
(2) Proceeds
The Western Area Power Administration shall apply the proceeds from the use of the transmission capacity from an individual project under this section to the repayment of the principal and interest of the loan from the Treasury attributable to that project, after reserving such funds as the Western Area Power Administration determines are necessary—
(A) to pay for any ancillary services that are provided; and
(B) to meet the costs of operating and maintaining the new project from which the revenues are derived.
(3) Source of revenue
Revenue from the use of projects under this section shall be the only source of revenue for—
(A) repayment of the associated loan for the project; and
(B) payment of expenses for ancillary services and operation and maintenance.
(4) Limitation on authority
Nothing in this section confers on the Administrator any additional authority or obligation to provide ancillary services to users of transmission facilities developed under this section.
(5) Treatment of certain revenues
Revenue from ancillary services provided by existing Federal power systems to users of transmission projects funded pursuant to this section shall be treated as revenue to the existing power system that provided the ancillary services.
(d) Certification
(1) In general
For each project in which the Western Area Power Administration participates pursuant to this section, the Administrator shall certify, prior to committing funds for any such project, that—
(A) the project is in the public interest;
(B) the project will not adversely impact system reliability or operations, or other statutory obligations; and
(C) it is reasonable to expect that the proceeds from the project shall be adequate to make repayment of the loan.
(2) Forgiveness of balances
(A) In general
If, at the end of the useful life of a project, there is a remaining balance owed to the Treasury under this section, the balance shall be forgiven.
(B) Unconstructed projects
Funds expended to study projects that are considered pursuant to this section but that are not constructed shall be forgiven.
(C) Notification
The Administrator shall notify the Secretary of such amounts as are to be forgiven under this paragraph.
(e) Public processes
(1) Policies and practices
Prior to requesting any loans under this section, the Administrator shall use a public process to develop practices and policies that implement the authority granted by this section.
(2) Requests for interest
In the course of selecting potential projects to be funded under this section, the Administrator shall seek Requests For Interest from entities interested in identifying potential projects through one or more notices published in the Federal Register.
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Editorial Notes
Codification
Section was enacted as part of the Hoover Power Plant Act of 1984, and not as part of the Electricity Modernization Act of 2005, which comprises this subchapter, or the Energy Policy Act of 2005, which comprises this chapter.
§16422. Advanced transmission technologies
(a) Definition of advanced transmission technology
In this section, the term "advanced transmission technology" means a technology that increases the capacity, efficiency, or reliability of an existing or new transmission facility, including—
(1) high-temperature lines (including superconducting cables);
(2) underground cables;
(3) advanced conductor technology (including advanced composite conductors, high-temperature low-sag conductors, and fiber optic temperature sensing conductors);
(4) high-capacity ceramic electric wire, connectors, and insulators;
(5) optimized transmission line configurations (including multiple phased transmission lines);
(6) modular equipment;
(7) wireless power transmission;
(8) ultra-high voltage lines;
(9) high-voltage DC technology;
(10) flexible AC transmission systems;
(11) energy storage devices (including pumped hydro, compressed air, superconducting magnetic energy storage, flywheels, and batteries);
(12) controllable load;
(13) distributed generation (including PV, fuel cells, and microturbines);
(14) enhanced power device monitoring;
(15) direct system state sensors;
(16) fiber optic technologies;
(17) power electronics and related software (including real time monitoring and analytical software);
(18) mobile transformers and mobile substations; and
(19) any other technologies the Commission considers appropriate.
(b) Authority
In carrying out the Federal Power Act (
(
Editorial Notes
References in Text
The Federal Power Act, referred to in subsec. (b), is act June 10, 1920, ch. 285,
The Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978, referred to in subsec. (b), is
§16423. Advanced Power System Technology Incentive Program
(a) Program
The Secretary is authorized to establish an Advanced Power System Technology Incentive Program to support the deployment of certain advanced power system technologies and to improve and protect certain critical governmental, industrial, and commercial processes. Funds provided under this section shall be used by the Secretary to make incentive payments to eligible owners or operators of advanced power system technologies to increase power generation through enhanced operational, economic, and environmental performance. Payments under this section may only be made upon receipt by the Secretary of an incentive payment application establishing an applicant as either—
(1) a qualifying advanced power system technology facility; or
(2) a qualifying security and assured power facility.
(b) Incentives
Subject to availability of funds, a payment of 1.8 cents per kilowatt-hour shall be paid to the owner or operator of a qualifying advanced power system technology facility under this section for electricity generated at such facility. An additional 0.7 cents per kilowatt-hour shall be paid to the owner or operator of a qualifying security and assured power facility for electricity generated at such facility. Any facility qualifying under this section shall be eligible for an incentive payment for up to, but not more than, the first 10,000,000 kilowatt-hours produced in any fiscal year.
(c) Eligibility
For purposes of this section:
(1) Qualifying advanced power system technology facility
The term "qualifying advanced power system technology facility" means a facility using an advanced fuel cell, turbine, or hybrid power system or power storage system to generate or store electric energy.
(2) Qualifying security and assured power facility
The term "qualifying security and assured power facility" means a qualifying advanced power system technology facility determined by the Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Homeland Security, to be in critical need of secure, reliable, rapidly available, high-quality power for critical governmental, industrial, or commercial applications.
(d) Authorization
There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary for the purposes of this section, $10,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2006 through 2012.
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Part B—Transmission Operation Improvements
§16431. Federal utility participation in transmission organizations
(a) Definitions
In this section:
(1) Appropriate Federal regulatory authority
The term "appropriate Federal regulatory authority" means—
(A) in the case of a Federal power marketing agency, the Secretary, except that the Secretary may designate the Administrator of a Federal power marketing agency to act as the appropriate Federal regulatory authority with respect to the transmission system of the Federal power marketing agency; and
(B) in the case of the Tennessee Valley Authority, the Board of Directors of the Tennessee Valley Authority.
(2) Federal power marketing agency
The term "Federal power marketing agency" has the meaning given the term in
(3) Federal utility
The term "Federal utility" means—
(A) a Federal power marketing agency; or
(B) the Tennessee Valley Authority.
(4) Transmission Organization
The term "Transmission Organization" has the meaning given the term in
(5) Transmission system
The term "transmission system" means an electric transmission facility owned, leased, or contracted for by the United States and operated by a Federal utility.
(b) Transfer
The appropriate Federal regulatory authority may enter into a contract, agreement, or other arrangement transferring control and use of all or part of the transmission system of a Federal utility to a Transmission Organization.
(c) Contents
The contract, agreement, or arrangement shall include—
(1) performance standards for operation and use of the transmission system that the head of the Federal utility determines are necessary or appropriate, including standards that ensure—
(A) recovery of all of the costs and expenses of the Federal utility related to the transmission facilities that are the subject of the contract, agreement, or other arrangement;
(B) consistency with existing contracts and third-party financing arrangements; and
(C) consistency with the statutory authorities, obligations, and limitations of the Federal utility;
(2) provisions for monitoring and oversight by the Federal utility of the Transmission Organization's terms and conditions of the contract, agreement, or other arrangement, including a provision for the resolution of disputes through arbitration or other means with the Transmission Organization or with other participants, notwithstanding the obligations and limitations of any other law regarding arbitration; and
(3) a provision that allows the Federal utility to withdraw from the Transmission Organization and terminate the contract, agreement, or other arrangement in accordance with its terms.
(d) Commission
Neither this section, actions taken pursuant to this section, nor any other transaction of a Federal utility participating in a Transmission Organization shall confer on the Commission jurisdiction or authority over—
(1) the electric generation assets, electric capacity, or energy of the Federal utility that the Federal utility is authorized by law to market; or
(2) the power sales activities of the Federal utility.
(e) Existing statutory and other obligations
(1) System operation requirements
No statutory provision requiring or authorizing a Federal utility to transmit electric power or to construct, operate, or maintain the transmission system of the Federal utility prohibits a transfer of control and use of the transmission system pursuant to, and subject to, the requirements of this section.
(2) Other obligations
This subsection does not—
(A) suspend, or exempt any Federal utility from, any provision of Federal law in effect on August 8, 2005, including any requirement or direction relating to the use of the transmission system of the Federal utility, environmental protection, fish and wildlife protection, flood control, navigation, water delivery, or recreation; or
(B) authorize abrogation of any contract or treaty obligation.
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Editorial Notes
Codification
Section is comprised of section 1232 of
§16432. Study on the benefits of economic dispatch
(a) Study
The Secretary, in coordination and consultation with the States, shall conduct a study on—
(1) the procedures currently used by electric utilities to perform economic dispatch;
(2) identifying possible revisions to those procedures to improve the ability of nonutility generation resources to offer their output for sale for the purpose of inclusion in economic dispatch; and
(3) the potential benefits to residential, commercial, and industrial electricity consumers nationally and in each State if economic dispatch procedures were revised to improve the ability of nonutility generation resources to offer their output for inclusion in economic dispatch.
(b) Definition
The term "economic dispatch" when used in this section means the operation of generation facilities to produce energy at the lowest cost to reliably serve consumers, recognizing any operational limits of generation and transmission facilities.
(c) Report to Congress and the States
Not later than 90 days after August 8, 2005, and on a yearly basis following, the Secretary shall submit a report to Congress and the States on the results of the study conducted under subsection (a), including recommendations to Congress and the States for any suggested legislative or regulatory changes.
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Part C—Transmission Rate Reform
§16441. Funding new interconnection and transmission upgrades
The Commission may approve a participant funding plan that allocates costs related to transmission upgrades or new generator interconnection, without regard to whether an applicant is a member of a Commission-approved Transmission Organization, if the plan results in rates that—
(1) are just and reasonable;
(2) are not unduly discriminatory or preferential; and
(3) are otherwise consistent with
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Part D—Repeal of Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935
§16451. Definitions
For purposes of this part:
(1) Affiliate
The term "affiliate" of a company means any company, 5 percent or more of the outstanding voting securities of which are owned, controlled, or held with power to vote, directly or indirectly, by such company.
(2) Associate company
The term "associate company" of a company means any company in the same holding company system with such company.
(3) Commission
The term "Commission" means the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
(4) Company
The term "company" means a corporation, partnership, association, joint stock company, business trust, or any organized group of persons, whether incorporated or not, or a receiver, trustee, or other liquidating agent of any of the foregoing.
(5) Electric utility company
The term "electric utility company" means any company that owns or operates facilities used for the generation, transmission, or distribution of electric energy for sale.
(6) Exempt wholesale generator and foreign utility company
The terms "exempt wholesale generator" and "foreign utility company" have the same meanings as in
(7) Gas utility company
The term "gas utility company" means any company that owns or operates facilities used for distribution at retail (other than the distribution only in enclosed portable containers or distribution to tenants or employees of the company operating such facilities for their own use and not for resale) of natural or manufactured gas for heat, light, or power.
(8) Holding company
(A) In general
The term "holding company" means—
(i) any company that directly or indirectly owns, controls, or holds, with power to vote, 10 percent or more of the outstanding voting securities of a public-utility company or of a holding company of any public-utility company; and
(ii) any person, determined by the Commission, after notice and opportunity for hearing, to exercise directly or indirectly (either alone or pursuant to an arrangement or understanding with one or more persons) such a controlling influence over the management or policies of any public-utility company or holding company as to make it necessary or appropriate for the rate protection of utility customers with respect to rates that such person be subject to the obligations, duties, and liabilities imposed by this part upon holding companies.
(B) Exclusions
The term "holding company" shall not include—
(i) a bank, savings association, or trust company, or their operating subsidiaries that own, control, or hold, with the power to vote, public utility or public utility holding company securities so long as the securities are—
(I) held as collateral for a loan;
(II) held in the ordinary course of business as a fiduciary; or
(III) acquired solely for purposes of liquidation and in connection with a loan previously contracted for and owned beneficially for a period of not more than two years; or
(ii) a broker or dealer that owns, controls, or holds with the power to vote public utility or public utility holding company securities so long as the securities are—
(I) not beneficially owned by the broker or dealer and are subject to any voting instructions which may be given by customers or their assigns; or
(II) acquired within 12 months in the ordinary course of business as a broker, dealer, or underwriter with the bona fide intention of effecting distribution of the specific securities so acquired.
(9) Holding company system
The term "holding company system" means a holding company, together with its subsidiary companies.
(10) Jurisdictional rates
The term "jurisdictional rates" means rates accepted or established by the Commission for the transmission of electric energy in interstate commerce, the sale of electric energy at wholesale in interstate commerce, the transportation of natural gas in interstate commerce, and the sale in interstate commerce of natural gas for resale for ultimate public consumption for domestic, commercial, industrial, or any other use.
(11) Natural gas company
The term "natural gas company" means a person engaged in the transportation of natural gas in interstate commerce or the sale of such gas in interstate commerce for resale.
(12) Person
The term "person" means an individual or company.
(13) Public utility
The term "public utility" means any person who owns or operates facilities used for transmission of electric energy in interstate commerce or sales of electric energy at wholesale in interstate commerce.
(14) Public-utility company
The term "public-utility company" means an electric utility company or a gas utility company.
(15) State commission
The term "State commission" means any commission, board, agency, or officer, by whatever name designated, of a State, municipality, or other political subdivision of a State that, under the laws of such State, has jurisdiction to regulate public utility companies.
(16) Subsidiary company
The term "subsidiary company" of a holding company means—
(A) any company, 10 percent or more of the outstanding voting securities of which are directly or indirectly owned, controlled, or held with power to vote, by such holding company; and
(B) any person, the management or policies of which the Commission, after notice and opportunity for hearing, determines to be subject to a controlling influence, directly or indirectly, by such holding company (either alone or pursuant to an arrangement or understanding with one or more other persons) so as to make it necessary for the rate protection of utility customers with respect to rates that such person be subject to the obligations, duties, and liabilities imposed by this part upon subsidiary companies of holding companies.
(17) Voting security
The term "voting security" means any security presently entitling the owner or holder thereof to vote in the direction or management of the affairs of a company.
(
Editorial Notes
References in Text
This part, referred to in text, was in the original "this subtitle", meaning subtitle F (§§1261–1277) of title XII of
For the effective date of this part, referred to in par. (6), see Effective Date note set out below.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
"(a)
"(b)
Short Title
For short title of subtitle F of title XII of
§16452. Federal access to books and records
(a) In general
Each holding company and each associate company thereof shall maintain, and shall make available to the Commission, such books, accounts, memoranda, and other records as the Commission determines are relevant to costs incurred by a public utility or natural gas company that is an associate company of such holding company and necessary or appropriate for the protection of utility customers with respect to jurisdictional rates.
(b) Affiliate companies
Each affiliate of a holding company or of any subsidiary company of a holding company shall maintain, and shall make available to the Commission, such books, accounts, memoranda, and other records with respect to any transaction with another affiliate, as the Commission determines are relevant to costs incurred by a public utility or natural gas company that is an associate company of such holding company and necessary or appropriate for the protection of utility customers with respect to jurisdictional rates.
(c) Holding company systems
The Commission may examine the books, accounts, memoranda, and other records of any company in a holding company system, or any affiliate thereof, as the Commission determines are relevant to costs incurred by a public utility or natural gas company within such holding company system and necessary or appropriate for the protection of utility customers with respect to jurisdictional rates.
(d) Confidentiality
No member, officer, or employee of the Commission shall divulge any fact or information that may come to his or her knowledge during the course of examination of books, accounts, memoranda, or other records as provided in this section, except as may be directed by the Commission or by a court of competent jurisdiction.
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§16453. State access to books and records
(a) In general
Upon the written request of a State commission having jurisdiction to regulate a public-utility company in a holding company system, the holding company or any associate company or affiliate thereof, other than such public-utility company, wherever located, shall produce for inspection books, accounts, memoranda, and other records that—
(1) have been identified in reasonable detail in a proceeding before the State commission;
(2) the State commission determines are relevant to costs incurred by such public-utility company; and
(3) are necessary for the effective discharge of the responsibilities of the State commission with respect to such proceeding.
(b) Limitation
Subsection (a) does not apply to any person that is a holding company solely by reason of ownership of one or more qualifying facilities under the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (
(c) Confidentiality of information
The production of books, accounts, memoranda, and other records under subsection (a) shall be subject to such terms and conditions as may be necessary and appropriate to safeguard against unwarranted disclosure to the public of any trade secrets or sensitive commercial information.
(d) Effect on State law
Nothing in this section shall preempt applicable State law concerning the provision of books, accounts, memoranda, and other records, or in any way limit the rights of any State to obtain books, accounts, memoranda, and other records under any other Federal law, contract, or otherwise.
(e) Court jurisdiction
Any United States district court located in the State in which the State commission referred to in subsection (a) is located shall have jurisdiction to enforce compliance with this section.
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Editorial Notes
References in Text
The Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978, referred to in subsec. (b), is
§16454. Exemption authority
(a) Rulemaking
Not later than 90 days after the effective date of this part, the Commission shall issue a final rule to exempt from the requirements of
(1) qualifying facilities under the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (
(2) exempt wholesale generators; or
(3) foreign utility companies.
(b) Other authority
The Commission shall exempt a person or transaction from the requirements of
(1) the Commission finds that the books, accounts, memoranda, and other records of any person are not relevant to the jurisdictional rates of a public utility or natural gas company; or
(2) the Commission finds that any class of transactions is not relevant to the jurisdictional rates of a public utility or natural gas company.
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Editorial Notes
References in Text
For the effective date of this part, referred to in subsec. (a), see Effective Date note set out under
The Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978, referred to in subsec. (a)(1), is
§16455. Affiliate transactions
(a) Commission authority unaffected
Nothing in this part shall limit the authority of the Commission under the Federal Power Act (
(b) Recovery of costs
Nothing in this part shall preclude the Commission or a State commission from exercising its jurisdiction under otherwise applicable law to determine whether a public-utility company, public utility, or natural gas company may recover in rates any costs of an activity performed by an associate company, or any costs of goods or services acquired by such public-utility company from an associate company.
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Editorial Notes
References in Text
This part, referred to in text, was in the original "this subtitle", meaning subtitle F (§§1261–1277) of title XII of
The Federal Power Act, referred to in subsec. (a), is act June 10, 1920, ch. 285,
§16456. Applicability
Except as otherwise specifically provided in this part, no provision of this part shall apply to, or be deemed to include—
(1) the United States;
(2) a State or any political subdivision of a State;
(3) any foreign governmental authority not operating in the United States;
(4) any agency, authority, or instrumentality of any entity referred to in paragraph (1), (2), or (3); or
(5) any officer, agent, or employee of any entity referred to in paragraph (1), (2), (3), or (4) acting as such in the course of his or her official duty.
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Editorial Notes
References in Text
This part, referred to in text, was in the original "this subtitle", meaning subtitle F (§§1261–1277) of title XII of
§16457. Effect on other regulations
Nothing in this part precludes the Commission or a State commission from exercising its jurisdiction under otherwise applicable law to protect utility customers.
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Editorial Notes
References in Text
This part, referred to in text, was in the original "this subtitle", meaning subtitle F (§§1261–1277) of title XII of
§16458. Enforcement
The Commission shall have the same powers as set forth in
(
Editorial Notes
References in Text
This part, referred to in text, was in the original "this subtitle", meaning subtitle F (§§1261–1277) of title XII of
§16459. Savings provisions
(a) In general
Nothing in this part, or otherwise in the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, or rules, regulations, or orders thereunder, prohibits a person from engaging in or continuing to engage in activities or transactions in which it is legally engaged or authorized to engage on August 8, 2005, if that person continues to comply with the terms (other than an expiration date or termination date) of any such authorization, whether by rule or by order.
(b) Effect on other Commission authority
Nothing in this part limits the authority of the Commission under the Federal Power Act (
(c) Tax treatment
Tax treatment under section 1081 1 of title 26 as a result of transactions ordered in compliance with the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935 (
(
Editorial Notes
References in Text
This part, referred to in text, was in the original "this subtitle", meaning subtitle F (§§1261–1277) of title XII of
The Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, referred to in subsecs. (a) and (c), is title I of act Aug. 26, 1935, ch. 687,
The Federal Power Act, referred to in subsec. (b), is act June 10, 1920, ch. 285,
The Natural Gas Act, referred to in subsec. (b), is act June 21, 1938, ch. 556,
The Public Utility Holding Company Act of 2005, referred to in subsec. (c), is subtitle F (§§1261–1277) of title XII of
1 See References in Text note below.
§16460. Implementation
Not later than 4 months after August 8, 2005, the Commission shall—
(1) issue such regulations as may be necessary or appropriate to implement this part (other than
(2) submit to Congress detailed recommendations on technical and conforming amendments to Federal law necessary to carry out this part and the amendments made by this part.
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Editorial Notes
References in Text
This part, referred to in text, was in the original "this subtitle", meaning subtitle F (§§1261–1277) of title XII of
§16461. Transfer of resources
All books and records that relate primarily to the functions transferred to the Commission under this part shall be transferred from the Securities and Exchange Commission to the Commission.
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Editorial Notes
References in Text
This part, referred to in text, was in the original "this subtitle", meaning subtitle F (§§1261–1277) of title XII of
§16462. Service allocation
(a) Definition of public utility
In this section, the term "public utility" has the meaning given the term in
(b) FERC review
In the case of non-power goods or administrative or management services provided by an associate company organized specifically for the purpose of providing such goods or services to any public utility in the same holding company system, at the election of the system or a State commission having jurisdiction over the public utility, the Commission, after the effective date of this part, shall review and authorize the allocation of the costs for such goods or services to the extent relevant to that associate company.
(c) Effect on Federal and State law
Nothing in this section shall affect the authority of the Commission or a State commission under other applicable law.
(d) Rules
Not later than 4 months after August 8, 2005, the Commission shall issue rules (which rules shall be effective no earlier than the effective date of this part) to exempt from the requirements of this section any company in a holding company system whose public utility operations are confined substantially to a single State and any other class of transactions that the Commission finds is not relevant to the jurisdictional rates of a public utility.
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Editorial Notes
References in Text
For the effective date of this part, referred to in subsecs. (b) and (d), see Effective Date note set out under
§16463. Authorization of appropriations
There are authorized to be appropriated such funds as may be necessary to carry out this part.
(
Editorial Notes
References in Text
This part, referred to in text, was in the original "this subtitle", meaning subtitle F (§§1261–1277) of title XII of
Part E—Market Transparency, Enforcement, and Consumer Protection
§16471. Consumer privacy and unfair trade practices
(a) Privacy
The Federal Trade Commission may issue rules protecting the privacy of electric consumers from the disclosure of consumer information obtained in connection with the sale or delivery of electric energy to electric consumers.
(b) Slamming
The Federal Trade Commission may issue rules prohibiting the change of selection of an electric utility except with the informed consent of the electric consumer or if approved by the appropriate State regulatory authority.
(c) Cramming
The Federal Trade Commission may issue rules prohibiting the sale of goods and services to an electric consumer unless expressly authorized by law or the electric consumer.
(d) Rulemaking
The Federal Trade Commission shall proceed in accordance with
(e) State authority
If the Federal Trade Commission determines that a State's regulations provide equivalent or greater protection than the provisions of this section, such State regulations shall apply in that State in lieu of the regulations issued by the Commission under this section.
(f) Definitions
For purposes of this section:
(1) State regulatory authority
The term "State regulatory authority" has the meaning given that term in
(2) Electric consumer and electric utility
The terms "electric consumer" and "electric utility" have the meanings given those terms in
(
Part F—Definitions
§16481. Commission defined
In this subchapter, the term "Commission" means the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
(
Editorial Notes
References in Text
This subchapter, referred to in text, was in the original "this title", meaning title XII of