Number: RL32925
Title: Electric Utility Provisions in House-Passed H.R. 6, 109th Congress
Authors: Amy Abel, Resources, Science, and Industry Division 
Abstract: This report describes Title XII of the House-passed H.R. 6 in the 109th Congress and other sections that deal with electric power issues. In part, Title XII would create an electric reliability organization (ERO) that would enforce mandatory reliability standards for the bulk-power system. All ERO standards would be approved by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). Under this title, the ERO could impose penalties on a user, owner, or operator of the bulk-power system that violates any FERC-approved reliability standard. This title also addresses transmission infrastructure issues. The Secretary of Energy would be able to certify congestion on the transmission lines and issue permits to transmission owners. Permit holders would be able to petition in U.S. district court to acquire rights-of-way for the construction of transmission lines through the exercise of the right of eminent domain. A provision that would have required FERC to approve participant funding for new transmission lines was removed in markup by the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Pages: 21
Date: Updated August 18, 2005