Webcast Details

Handout Materials

R. Pease Bio L. Watson Bio J. Nicholas Bio J. Kroeger Bio M. Sweeney Bio FERC's Expanded Enforcement Authority

Presented by ACC's Energy Committee and sponsored by Hunton & Williams

The Energy Policy Act of 2005 (“EPAct 2005”) granted the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC”) expanded regulatory authority and responsibilities, while also significantly raising the amount of both civil and criminal penalties for companies that violate the Federal Power Act (“FPA”) or Natural Gas Act (“NGA”).  The FERC has also issued new rules prohibiting anti-manipulation that are patterned after 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The potential risks of failure to comply with the FERC’s regulatory requirements have increased significantly.  This fact, coupled with the FERC’s expressed intent to diligently exercise its expanded enforcement authority in a firm, but fair manner enhances the need for companies in the energy industry to establish and maintain practices for ensuring compliance.

Speakers for this program will explore the FERC’s new enforcement powers and what it expects from companies.  They will also focus on demonstrating the importance of aligning regulatory compliance with the overall corporate compliance regime, discussing how companies can limit their exposure and discussing best practices for compliance.  

Presenters:

Robert Pease, Deputy Director Investigations & Enforcement, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
Lee Ann Watson, Director, Division of Enforcement, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
Janice Nicholas, Chief Accountant and Director, Division of Financial Audits and Accounting, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
John Kroeger, Managing Counsel, Division of Enforcement, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
R. Michael Sweeney, Partner, Hunton & Williams 

Moderator:

Wayne Harris, Chief Counsel, ACES Power Marketing