FERC Proposes Changes To Interlock Reporting Requirements

On July 19, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) issued proposed rule changes to clarify and update its advance approval and reporting requirements for officers and directors who hold positions simultaneously with more than one public utility or with a public utility and certain other specified companies. Regulators refer to these simultaneous positions as "interlocking positions" or "interlocks." Under Section 305 of the Federal Power Act, it is unlawful, absent FERC approval, for a person to hold such interlocks. The FERC has regulations that identify the requirements for obtaining approval for interlocks (Part 45) and for reporting those interlocks (Part 46). In its July 19 Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, the FERC proposed, among other changes: