Office of Energy Market Regulation (OEMR)

OEMR Org Chart

What We Do

The Office of Energy Market Regulation (OEMR) advises the Commission and processes caseload related to the economic regulation of the electric utility, natural gas and oil industries. OEMR deals with matters involving energy markets, tariffs and pipeline rates relating to electric utility and natural gas and oil pipeline facilities and services. One of the Commission’s primary goals is to prevent the exercise of market power by wholesale power sellers, electric transmission companies, and natural gas and oil pipeline companies. This is accomplished by striking an appropriate balance between competition and regulation. The Commission has been steadily reforming its electricity policies to find this balance in its regulation of wholesale power sales and transmission.

1. Advise the Commission on the regulation of the natural gas industry, electric power industry and oil pipeline industry under the Natural Gas Act, Natural Gas Policy Act 1978, Federal Power Act, Energy Policy Act of 1992, Energy Policy Act of 2005, Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, Department of Energy Act and other legislation;
2. Advise the Commission and/or exercise delegated authority to assure just and reasonable rates and fair and non-discriminatory transmission system and pipeline access in matters pertaining to both cost-based and market-based tariffs and rates;
3. Review such matters as interlocking directorates, qualifying facilities, priority of service under NGPA and other energy regulatory matters;
4. Analyze applications for electric public utility corporate transactions, including public utility mergers, issuance of securities or the assumption of liabilities, to determine if the proposed transactions are consistent with the public interest;
5. Analyze Regional Transmission Organization/Independent System Operator proposals or proposals for the formation of other regional transmission entities; and,
6. Analyze rate schedules for transmission service filed by Federal Power Marketing Administrations for conformance with the Pacific Northwest Electric Power Planning and Conservation Act and other acts relevant to specific power marketing administrations, delegations from the Secretary of Energy and the Commission's regulations.
7. Analyze filings as it to relates to the processing of filings dealing with the ERO budget, rules of procedure, bylaws, etc. as required under The Electric Reliability Organization (ERO) under section 215 of the Federal Power Act.
    

Electric Power Regulation - East, Central & West

Analyze filings and applications involving the interstate sale for resale or transmission of electric energy. Act on submittals under delegated authority and provide expert advice to the Commission on filings, initial decisions, rehearings, complaints, and declaratory orders. Review and analyze Regional Transmission Organization (RTO)/Independent System Operator (ISO) proposals or proposals for the formation of other regional transmission entities. Learn More

The three Electric Power Regulation Divisions (East, Central & West), generally perform the same functions, as described above, in their respective geographical areas.

Division-specific responsibilities are as follows:

• Electric Power Regulation - East
  • None.
• Electric Power Regulation - Central
  • Analyzes rate schedules for transmission service filed by Federal Power Marketing Administrations.
  • Analyzes filings for certification of qualifying facilities.
  • Review and analyze administrative filings by the Electric Reliability Organization, the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) and the Regional Entities, including filings related to the budget, rules of procedure, bylaws, etc., for conformance with Commission rules and regulations as promulgated in accordance with section 215 of the Federal Power Act. 
• Electric Power Regulation - West
  • Analyzes filings for corporate applications (including public utility mergers, issuance of securities, or assumption of liabilities) and interlocking directorates.
  • Analyzes filings for issuance of market-based rates for public utilities.

Electric Power Regulation - East is led by Director Kurt Longo
Electric Power Regulation – Central is led by Director Natalie Tingle-Stewart
Electric Power Regulation – West is led by Director Amery Pore

Pipeline Regulation

Analyze a variety of natural gas and oil pipeline filings related to the rates, terms and conditions of transportation by natural gas and oil pipeline companies. 

Review and evaluate rates and tariffs of natural gas pipeline and storage companies to ensure conformance with NGA and NGPA standards.

Evaluate and provide expert technical advice to the Commission to assist in making recommendations on natural gas and oil rate proceedings, initial decisions, rehearing, complaints and declaratory orders.

Monitor natural gas and oil pipeline performance for compliance with various rules and initiatives, especially under Order Nos. 636 series and 637.

Perform depreciation studies for crude oil and petroleum pipelines and make recommendations.

Make recommendations pertaining to cost of service, rates, of return, depreciation, cost allocation and rate design related to certificate proceedings under Section 7 of NGA.

Division of Pipeline Regulation is led by Director Marsha Palazzi and Deputy Director Brian White

Allocation of Utilities to the OEMR Divisions

Required filers are responsible for registering their company and keeping their registration information current. Information on how to register and maintain company information is available on the Company Registration web page.

The grouping of the Traditional Cost of Service Public Utilities by Division identifies the Division primarily assigned tariff filings of these entities within the Office of Energy Market Regulation.