Energy & Utilities

Pending Jurisdictional Inquiry - Baldin Brook Hydroelectric Project

FERC received a jurisdictional determination request from Vermont DEC for the unlicensed Baldin Brook Hydroelectric Project located on Baldin Brook in Lamoille County, Vermont. Commission staff is investigating whether the project requires licensing under section 23(b)(1) of the Federal Power Act based on Commerce Clause jurisdiction, post-1935 construction, and interstate grid connection. The Commission is soliciting comments, motions to intervene, and protests with a deadline of May 15, 2026.

Beebee Island Hydropower License Amendment - Flashboard System Replacement

FERC issued a notice of non-capacity license amendment application for the Beebee Island Project (P-2538-106) on the Black River in Watertown, New York. Applicant Erie Boulevard Hydropower L.P. proposes to remove the existing 3-foot wooden flashboard system and replace it with a pneumatic flashboard system atop approximately two-thirds of the dam crest. Comments, interventions, and protests are due April 29, 2026.

Combined Electric Corporate, Generator, and Rate Filings

FERC posted combined filings including two Section 203 electric corporate applications (Bayonne Energy Center/EC26-79-000 and Heritage Power/EC26-80-000), three exempt wholesale generator self-certifications (Lake Iris Solar, SR Denmark, SR Magnolia), and nine electric rate filings. Comment deadlines range from April 16-21, 2026.

Electric Rate and Exempt Wholesale Generator Filings

FERC received multiple electric rate filings from March 27-30, 2026. Thirteen power companies (Shawville Power, New Castle Power, Brunot Island Power, Gilbert Power, Portland Power, Warren Generation, Mountain Power, Orrtanna Power, Shawnee Power, Titus Power, Hamilton Power, Blossburg Power, and Hunterstown Power) submitted compliance filings regarding upstream transfers of ownership under existing rate schedules. Deer Creek Solar I LLC filed a Notice of Self-Certification as an Exempt Wholesale Generator.

Natural Gas Pipeline Rate and Refund Report Filings

FERC issued a notice of Natural Gas Pipeline Rate and Refund Report filings including proceedings from Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company (negotiated rate agreements with NextEra Energy and Vitol Inc.), National Grid LNG LLC (annual operational transactions report), and Rocky Mountain Natural Gas LLC (amended Section 284.123 rate filing). Comment deadlines range from April 8-17, 2026 depending on the docket.

Combined Notice of Filings

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) published a Combined Notice of Filings on April 3, 2026 (91 FR 16935). This routine notice lists new filings submitted to the Commission for the specified period. The notice serves to inform the public and regulated entities of submissions received by FERC, without creating any new regulatory requirements or obligations.

Natural Gas Pipeline Rate and Refund Report Filings

FERC published a combined notice of filings received from multiple natural gas pipeline companies including East Tennessee Natural Gas, Texas Eastern Transmission, Enable Gas Transmission, Panhandle Eastern Pipe Line, and others. The filings cover rate filings, compliance filings, and operational reports across dockets RP26-687 through RP26-698. Public comments are due April 13, 2026.

Pending Jurisdictional Inquiry - Baldin Brook Hydroelectric Project

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) issued a notice of pending jurisdictional inquiry regarding the Baldin Brook Hydroelectric Project in Lamoille County, Vermont. Vermont DEC requested the Commission examine whether the project requires licensing under Section 23(b)(1) of the Federal Power Act. The inquiry focuses on whether the project is located on a Commerce Clause stream, was constructed after August 26, 1935, and affects interstate commerce through transmission grid connection. Public comments are due April 8, 2026.

Petroleum Supply Reporting System Three-Year Extension

The U.S. Energy Information Administration published a Federal Register Notice seeking a three-year extension of OMB Control Number 1905-0165 for the Petroleum Supply Reporting System. The extension includes seven weekly surveys, eight monthly surveys, and two annual surveys covering crude oil, hydrocarbon gas liquids, petroleum products, and biofuels data collection. Public comments on this information collection request must be received by May 4, 2026.

National Safe Digging Month promotes calling 811

The Iowa Utilities Commission recognizes April 2026 as National Safe Digging Month, reminding Iowans that contacting 811 to have underground utilities marked before digging is required by Iowa Code Chapter 480. An estimated 60 million American households plan digging projects annually, yet roughly one in six homeowners skip the utility location step. The IUC encourages submitting Iowa One Call tickets at least 48 hours before any excavation.