Clean Energy Groups Ask FERC For Transparency Into "Anti-Climate" Groups

On March 17, 2021, a coalition of environmental organizations and clean energy groups led by the Center for Biological Diversity (CBD) petitioned the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for a rulemaking that would amend the Uniform Systems of Accounts (USofA) requirements to disallow utilities from recovering the cost of membership from ratepayers in associations engaged in lobbying or other influence-related activities. CBD argues that these associations lack transparency, and many engage in "anti-climate" advocacy, including lobbying and campaigning activities, that do not align with the priorities of ratepayers.

All lobbying-related dues that utilities pay to industry groups are already identified through routine auditing. Lobbying expenses by trade groups are also already presumed nonrecoverable under FERC's existing accounting requirements. As such, a number of industry stakeholders, including the American Gas Association, Edison Electric Institute