The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s oversight of the wholesale electric and natural gas markets effect every consumer large or small.  FERC is charged with implementing and enforcing laws that protect consumers and ensure just and reasonable outcomes in electricity and natural gas markets.  Large manufacturers are connected to the FERC jurisdictional transmission grid and are directly affected by a host of FERC policies and tariffs, including the terms and conditions of interconnection agreements and mandatory reliability standards.  Many ELCON members also buy power directly from FERC jurisdictional ISOs and RTOs.  ELCON and its members regularly meet with commissioners and key staff to insure that the FERC understands and considers the views of large industrial consumers.  Also, ELCON files comments in proceedings that would impact its members including those on capacity markets, demand response and transmission incentives.

The Environmental Protection Agency’s rules on the electric utility industry have a profound impact on the cost of a reliable supply of electricity.  The EPA administers a number of federal regulations that effect the electric rates paid by industrial consumers and is currently developing significant regulations under the Clean Power Plan (CPP). Concerns regarding the implementation of the CPP is one of ELCON’s highest priorities.  ELCON is among more than a hundred state, trade associations and private petitioners challenging the legality of the CPP in the DC Circuit, and believe that the CPP is unlawful and should be set aside in its entirety.  There are a host of other regulations that significantly effects electric rates including the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Safe Drinking Water Act and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. ELCON, often partnering with other associations and trade groups, works with the EPA so that these regulations are developed and implemented in a most cost effective and efficient manner possible.

The North American Electric Reliability Corporation establishes the “rules of the road” for the reliable planning and operation of the North American electric grid.  It is the federally recognized Electric Reliability Organization (ERO) and is responsible for, among other things, developing and enforcing reliability standards. ELCON is the only national group representing manufacturers that is active at all levels in NERC. ELCON staff and member companies serve on many key NERC Committees and provide written policy input to the NERC Board on a regular basis with the goal of minimizing the burden of NERC regulations on members.

Reforming national energy and environmental policies and regulations is an ongoing responsibility of the U.S. Congress.  Beginning in the 1920s with the creation of the Federal Power Commission to the enactment of the Energy Policy Acts of 1992 and 2005, Congressional action on energy policy has had a significant impact on the delivery and price of electricity for industrial consumers. Meeting with key Members and staff, testifying before Congressional Committees and sending letters to the Hill, ELCON works to make sure that Congress hears the voice of large industrial consumers of electricity.

ELCON does not hesitate to challenge unfair and burdensome regulations in the federal courts as the need arises.  ELCON works with prominent Washington, D.C. law firms and often partners with other national associations and trade groups on issues of common concern.  From successfully defending FERC’s demand response policies and supporting challenges to the Clean Power Plan before the U.S. Supreme Court and lower federal courts, ELCON is a leader in litigating threshold issues that would impact industrial users of electricity.