Appellate Briefs

NE Power Generators, et al. v. FERC Nos. 11-1422, et al. Issues remanded by Supreme Court and D.C. Circuit: whether results of auctions conducted under Forward Capacity Market are contract rates deserving of Mobile-Sierra public interest standard of review; and, if not, whether the FERC in its discretion can impose high public interest standard. Devon Power LLC, order on remand, 134 FERC ¶ 61,208 (2011), reh'g denied, 137 FERC ¶ 61,073 (2011). Circuit D.C. Cir.

In re Black Oak Energy, LLC, et al. No. 12-1274 Response to writ of mandamus directing FERC to stay the effectiveness of its refund orders. Circuit D.C. Cir.

Northern Natural Gas Co. v. FERC No. 11-1484 Denial of application to abandon jointly-owned facilities – the Matagorda Offshore Pipeline System -- and services. Northern Natural Gas Co., 135 FERC ¶ 61,048 (2011), reh’g denied, 137 FERC ¶ 61,091 (2011). Circuit D.C. Cir.

Green Island Power Authority v. FERC No. 11-1960, et al. Order reinstating the new license for the School Street Project to the applicant following remand in Green Island Power Authority v. FERC, 577 F.3d 148 (2d Cir. 2009), finding that the relicensing settlement agreement did not materially amend the license application in a manner requiring an opportunity for the public to intervene in the relicensing proceeding and that, in any event, a proffered alternative to replace the project is not a feasible alternative requiring consideration in the proceeding. Erie Boulevard Hydropower, L.P., 131 FERC ¶ 61,036 (2010), reh’g denied, 134 FERC ¶ 61,205 (2011), reh’g denied, 136 FERC ¶ 61,044 (2011). Circuit 2d Cir.

Brian Hunter v. FERC No. 11-1477 Order affirming ALJ’s initial decision after hearing, and ordering payment of $30 million civil penalty, for Brian Hunter’s trading of natural gas futures contracts having a direct effect on the price of natural gas, in violation of FERC’s anti-market manipulation regulations under 18 C.F.R. § 1c.1, implementing section 4A of the Natural Gas Act, 15 U.S.C. § 717c-1. Brian Hunter, 135 FERC ¶ 61,054 (2011), reh’g denied, 137 FERC ¶ 61,146 (2011). Circuit D.C. Cir.

Coalit. for Responsible Growth, et al. v. FERC No.12-566 Authorization to construct and operate the MARC 1 Hub Line Project, a 39-mile long natural gas pipeline in northeastern Pennsylvania; consideration of cumulative impacts of Marcellus Shale development. Central New York Oil & Gas Co., 137 FERC ¶ 61,121 (2011), order on reh’g, 138 FERC ¶ 61,104 (2012). Circuit 2nd Cir.

Northern Natural Gas Co. v. FERC No. 11-1240 Rejection of Northern Natural’s proposal to charge market-based rates for the resale of storage capacity. Northern Natural Gas Co., 133 FERC ¶ 61,210 (2010), reh’g denied, 135 FERC ¶ 61,085 (2011). Circuit D.C. Cir.

TC Ravenswood, LLC v. FERC No. 11-1258 Conditional acceptance of proposal by New York ISO to implement market mitigation measures for generators located in the rest-of-state (outside New York City and Long Island) capacity region in New York. New York Independent System Operator, Inc., 133 FERC ¶ 61,030 (2010), order on reh’g, 135 FERC ¶ 61,157 (2011). Circuit D.C. Cir.

NRG Power Marketing LLC, et al. v. FERC No. 11-1201 Approval of contested settlement and related transmission service agreements and Joint Operating Agreement Protocol; roll over of transmission service to Consolidated Edison. PJM Interconnection, LLC, et al., 132 FERC ¶ 61,221 (2010), order on reh'g, 135 FERC ¶ 61,018 (2011). Circuit D.C. Cir.

Moussa I. Kourouma v. FERC No. 11-1283 Assessment of $50,000 civil penalty for submission of false information in connection with application for market-based rate authority. Moussa I. Kourouma d/b/a Quantum Energy LLC, 135 FERC ¶ 61,245 (2011). Circuit D.C. Cir.

Coalition for Responsible Growth and Res. Conservation, et al. v. FERC No. 12-566 Commission opposition to motion to stay clearing of 200,000 mature trees and construction of a 39-mile greenfield natural gas pipeline. Circuit 2nd Cir.

Calpine Corp., et al. v. FERC No. 11-1122 Order on remand from Southern California Edison Co. v. FERC, 603 F.3d 996 (D.C. Cir. 2010), on calculation of transmission service charges for station power, which need not use the same netting method as that used to calculate retail energy charges. Duke Energy Moss Landing v. California ISO Corp.; California ISO Corp., 132 FERC ¶ 61,183 (2010), reh'g denied, 134 FERC ¶ 61,151 (2011). Circuit D.C. Cir.

James and Polly Lyons v. FERC No. 11-1333 Finding that Appalachian, licensee of the Smith Mountain Pumped Storage Project, complied with the terms of its license concerning consistency of project uses (including boat docks) with Shoreline Management Plan; dismissal of late rehearing request. Appalachian Power Co., 133 FERC ¶ 61,135 (2010), reh’g denied, 134 FERC ¶ 61,114 (2011). Circuit 4th Cir.

City of New Orleans, Louisiana, et al. v. FERC Nos. 11-1043 et al. Withdrawal of Entergy Arkansas and Entergy Mississippi from Entergy System Agreement; consideration of exit notice, exit compensation, and cost allocation issues. Entergy Services, Inc., 129 FERC ¶ 61,143 (2009), reh’g denied, 134 FERC ¶ 61,075 (2011). Circuit D.C. Cir.

Occidental Permian Ltd., et al. v. FERC No. 10-1381 Conditional authorization to Tres Amigas to sell, at negotiated rates, transmission services on proposed superstation connecting the three continental interconnections and allowing the transmission of intermittent wind and solar generation. Tres Amigas LLC, 130 FERC ¶ 61,207 (2010), reh'g denied, 132 FERC ¶ 61,233 (2010) Circuit D.C. Cir.

Mobil Pipe Line Co. v. FERC No. 11-1021 Order affirming ALJ’s Initial Decision, following hearing, and denying Mobil’s application for market-based rate authority. Mobil Pipe Line Co., 133 FERC ¶ 61,192 (2010). Circuit D.C. Cir.

Freeport-McMoran Corp. v. FERC No. 08-1349, et al. Continued applicability of Article 11.2 of El Paso’s 1996 Settlement, placing certain limitations on the rates that El Paso can charge in future rate cases to shippers that were parties to the 1996 Settlement; Approval of 2006 Rate Settlement. El Paso Natural Gas Co., 114 FERC ¶ 61,290 (2006) order on reh’g & compl, 124 FERC ¶ 61,227 (2008), order on reh’g, 132 FERC ¶ 61,155 (2010). Circuit D.C. Cir.

Defenders of Wildlife, et al. v. FERC No. 10-1407 Issuance of certificate to allow Ruby Pipeline to construct and operate a 677-mile natural gas pipeline, from southwest Wyoming to Malin Hub near Oregon-California border; sufficiency of environmental analysis. Ruby Pipeline, L.L.C., 131 FERC ¶ 61,007 (2010), reh'g denied, 133 FERC ¶ 61,105 (2010). Circuit D.C. Cir.

Braintree Electric Light Dept. v. FERC No. 09-1231 Allocation of costs associated with ISO New England's operation of Canal 1 and 2 generating units out of economic merit; order on ISO New England compliance filing, that Southeastern Massachusetts reliability region boundary continues to provide reasonable basis for allocation of Canal Unit dispatch costs. Braintree Electric Light Dept., et al. v. ISO New England, Inc., 124 FERC ¶ 61,061 (2008), order on reh'g, 128 FERC ¶ 61,008 (2009); 129 FERC ¶ 61,077 (2009), reh'g denied, 132 FERC ¶ 61,248 (2010). Circuit D.C. Cir.

PSEG Energy Resources & Trade v. FERC No. 10-1103 Results of ISO New England’s first Forward Capacity Auction, for the 2010-2011 period; price proration for Connecticut generators not allowed to reduce capacity due to ISO reliability review. ISO New England, Inc., 123 FERC ¶ 61,290 (2008), reh’g denied, 130 FERC ¶ 61,235 (2010). Circuit D.C. Cir.