FERC streamlining to reflect industry

The U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has announced plans to streamline its activities in step with the changes that its regulated industries have made. FERC said a 4-month study called "FERC First!" identified ways to speed decisions and focus more resources on market issues. The agency said regulation will be refined to nurture markets, it will employ a more flexible and proactive approach, and it will make optimal use of information technology.

June 29, 1998

2 min read

The U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has announced plans to streamline its activities in step with the changes that its regulated industries have made.

FERC said a 4-month study called "FERC First!" identified ways to speed decisions and focus more resources on market issues.

The agency said regulation will be refined to nurture markets, it will employ a more flexible and proactive approach, and it will make optimal use of information technology.

James Hoecker, FERC chairman, said, "FERC First! was undertaken not in response to crisis but in anticipation of major change in regulated industry. The commission must embrace the culture of customer service and advanced technology into which regulated companies are swiftly being drawn."

The study examined the way FERC operates now and the future demands on it.

Reorganization

The operational changes center on marshaling resources in a team-based approach around eight key initiatives. Each initiative is made up of multiple components, including a redesigned work process, strategy, skills, information technology, organization, and culture.

"With employees working in teams, all the necessary expertise-lawyers, economists, accountants, engineers, utility experts, and support staff-will be brought to bear in a coordinated manner with the goal of making well-reasoned decisions in a timely manner," FERC said.

For instance, FERC will monitor market activities and identify potential problems. It will develop a pre-filing process for rates, terms, and conditions designed to reduce processing time.

For hydropower and gas certificate issues, the commission will emphasize collaborative pre-filing procedures and early resolution of issues. A review of ex-parte rules is also planned.

The commission will promote early resolution of contested matters and complaints, focusing on consensual decision-making, dispute resolution, and time limits for issuing decisions.

FERC said its staff would launch a systematic effort to build its relationships with Congress, federal and state agencies, and other stakeholders. It will establish a structure for gathering and considering proposals for policy changes.

"This will provide a framework for determining priorities and enable better communication of policy direction to our stakeholders."

FERC said it would use "a more robust" process for developing and updating its strategic plan and establishing performance measurements. And it would work toward implementing a largely paper-free environment through electronic filing, work flow management, and document posting.