FERC Commission Meetings: What to Expect

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or Commission) is an independent federal agency that regulates key aspects of the electricity, natural gas, and oil industries. FERC’s mission is to assist consumers in obtaining reliable, safe, secure, and economically efficient energy services at a reasonable cost through appropriate regulatory and market means. 

Typically, every third Thursday of the month (except August), FERC holds a Commission Meeting where FERC Commissioners convene to vote on regulatory matters. All Commission Meetings are webcast and held at FERC Headquarters in the Commission Meeting Room (Room 2C), 888 First Street NE, Washington, D.C. 20426. Members of the public are welcome to attend in person or virtually where they may take notes, observe, and listen. They may not participate or address the Commissioners at Commission Meetings. FERC’s Meet the Commissioners webpage provides more information about the Commissioners. 

For Commission Meeting dates and times, visit FERC’s Events Calendar. When selecting a specific meeting date on the calendar, the event details and some associated documents of the meeting are available prior to the meeting, and other documents are available after the meeting. If you cannot find information or a specific document for a meeting, please contact FERC customer service by phone at 202-502-6088 or by email at [email protected]. All webcasts are archived for at least three months on FERC’s YouTube Channel. 

Sunshine Act and Notices

The Government in the Sunshine Act of 1976 (5 U.S.C. 552b) requires certain federal agencies to hold open meetings that are accessible to the public. In accordance with the Sunshine Act, a FERC Sunshine Notice is a public announcement of a Commission Meeting that is released by the Secretary of the Commission at least seven days prior to a meeting. The Sunshine Act Notice includes the date, time, place, and list of items being addressed in the meeting and is published in FERC’s eLibrary and posted on FERC’s News Releases & Headlines webpage. The primary purpose of each Commission Meeting is for Commissioners to consider matters posted in the Sunshine Notice. 

Who May Be Present at Commission Meetings? 

• FERC Commissioners

• FERC Staff

• Members of the Public

• Energy Industry Representatives and Energy Advocates 

• News and Media Outlets

Commission Meeting Format 

When you attend a Commission Meeting in person, you will need to bring a government-issued REAL ID, such as a compliant driver’s license or state ID, and go through security of FERC Headquarters. Then, you will receive a name badge and be directed to the Commission Meeting Room on the second floor. Outside of the meeting room, FERC’s Office of Public Participation (OPP) staff are available to assist you with any questions about participating at FERC, as well as provide copies of the Sunshine Notice and informational brochures on FERC matters. 

When you enter the meeting room, you may sit in any open seat in the audience section. If the meeting room is at capacity, then you will be directed to an adjacent hearing room to view the webcast. At the start time of the meeting, the Commissioners, Secretary of the Commission, and FERC Office Directors sit at the head table of the room. The FERC Chairman calls the meeting to order, and each Commissioner provides announcements and opening remarks. After opening remarks, the Secretary announces agenda items that the quorum of Commissioners will vote on. 

Following Commissioner voting, meetings may include presentations by staff from FERC or other agencies on energy matters. Commissioners respond to presentations to better understand the topics addressed and provide commentary. Following presentations, the Chairman adjourns the meeting and holds a press conference to address questions from media outlets and journalists. Members of the public may listen to the press conference in a separate room at FERC Headquarters or online. 

Agenda and Voting 

FERC’s Sunshine Notices include Commission Meeting agendas that list the pending proceedings for Commissioners to vote on. The agenda lists these items with a categorical abbreviation and number, such as E-1, H-4, A-2, etc., and followed by the specific docket number.   

Abbreviations of Items 

A: Administrative 

C: Certificate  

E: Electric  

G: Gas 

H: Hydro 

When Commissioners vote on items, the Secretary does not announce the full name of the proceeding(s) in each item but uses the abbreviation and number. Each Commissioner has an equal vote on items, and a Commissioner may choose not to participate or vote on an item. Final decisions from Commission Meeting voting are typically released to the public in writing the day of the meeting or the following day. Please note that Commissioners vote on proceedings on most FERC business days and not only at Commission Meetings. Commissioners may highlight specific items that they voted on since the previous Commission Meeting. 

Action Steps for a Member of the Public 

• Review the Sunshine Notice ahead of a Commission Meeting. FERC is required to post the Sunshine Notice at least seven days prior to a Commission Meeting. The Notice is available both on the ferc.gov homepage and in the Events Calendar. Please note that sometimes items are pulled from the Sunshine Notice as late as the day of the meeting. 

• Engage in person with OPP staff before or after a Commission Meeting with your questions about FERC processes and proceedings. 

• Submit written comments before or after a Commission Meeting on FERC proceedings. Please visit FERC’s How to File a Comment webpage and FERC’s Participating Online at FERC webpage to learn more about submitting comments. 

• If you have any questions, please contact OPP via email at [email protected] or by phone at 202-502-6595. Please direct all media inquiries to [email protected].