Several developments may raise the profile of the Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission (FERC or the Commission) in 2020.
First, the growing importance of renewable energy generation
will raise new issues for FERC. On December 19, 2019, for example,
FERC ordered a major grid operator, PJM Interconnection (PJM), to
revise the rules for its wholesale electricity market, which could
affect how—or even whether—renewable energy generators
can participate in that market.
Second, FERC is likely to continue a strong program of
enforcement against instances of alleged energy market
manipulation.
Third, FERC's priorities may become an issue in the 2020
presidential race. At least two of the Democratic
candidates—Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders—have
announced their intent to refocus FERC's efforts (and perhaps
even its name) on renewable sources of energy so that the
Commission could support an emerging effort to fight global climate
change.
