Appellate Briefs

Hughes, et al. v. PPL Energy Plus, LLC No. 14-614, et al. Merits brief for the United States as amicus curiae regarding petitions for writ of certiorari filed by W. Kevin Hughes, et al. (in their official capacities as the then Chairman and Commissioners of the Maryland Public Service Commission) and CPV Maryland, LLC, seeking review of the Fourth Circuit’s finding that Maryland’s Generation Order is preempted by the Federal Power Act. [Brief filed by the Solicitor General of the United States]. Circuit S. Ct.

Delaware Riverkeeper Network, et al. v. FERC No. 13-1015 Commission response opposing motion to enforce the Court’s mandate. Circuit D.C. Cir.

Sierra Club v. FERC No. 15-1133 Order authorizing Corpus Christi Liquefaction to site, construct, and operate LNG export and import facilities on Corpus Christi Bay, Texas, and to construct and operate related pipeline and compressor facilities. Corpus Christi Liquefaction, LLC, et al., 149 FERC ¶ 61,283 (2014), reh’g denied, 151 FERC ¶ 61,098 (2015). Circuit D.C. Cir.

Public Citizen and State of Conn. v. FERC No. 14-1244, et al. Results of ISO New England’s eighth annual Forward Capacity Auction. Notice of Filing Taking Effect by Operation of Law, ISO New England Inc., FERC Docket No. ER14-1409 (Sept. 16, 2014), and Notice of Dismissal of Pleadings, Docket No. ER14-1409 (Oct. 24, 2014). Circuit D.C. Cir.

LSP Transm. and LSP Power v. FERC No. 15-1316 Order on MISO compliance with transmission planning and cost allocation requirements of Order No. 1000 rulemaking, including competitive evaluation process. Midwest Indep. Transm. System Op., Inc., and the MISO Transm. Owners, et al., 142 FERC ¶ 61,215 (2013), order on reh’g & compl., 147 FERC ¶ 61,127 (2014), order on reh’g & compl., 147 FERC ¶ 61,127 (2014), 150 FERC ¶ 61,037 (2015). Circuit 7th Cir.

American Transm. Systems, et al. v. FERC No. 14-1085, et al. Order on PJM compliance with transmission planning and cost allocation requirements of Order No. 1000 rulemaking; whether transmission owner right of first refusal is entitled to Mobile-Sierra presumption. PJM Interconnection, L.L.C., et al., 142 FERC ¶ 61,214 (2013), on reh’g & compl., 147 FERC ¶ 61,128 (2014). Circuit D.C. Cir.

Oklahoma Gas and Electric Co. v. FERC No. 14-1281 Filing by Southwest Power Pool in compliance with transmission planning and cost allocation requirements of Order No. 1000; whether transmission owner right of first refusal is entitled to Mobile-Sierra presumption. Southwest Power Pool, Inc., et al., 144 FERC ¶ 61,059 (2013), order on reh’g & compl., 149 FERC ¶ 61,048 (2014). Circuit D.C. Cir.

Hoopa Valley Tribe v. FERC No. 14-1271 Denial of petition for declaratory order concerning Klamath Hydroelectric Project, seeking declaration that licensee PacifiCorp has failed to diligently pursue relicensing of the Project, and that States have waived clean water certification. PacifiCorp, 147 FERC ¶ 61,216 (2014), reh’g denied, 149 FERC ¶ 61,038 (2014). Circuit D.C. Cir.

Petro Star Inc. v. FERC and USofA No. 15-1009 Investigation and hearing as to whether existing Quality Bank formula properly values Resid cut of commingled crude oil transported by the Trans Alaska Pipeline System. BP Pipelines (Alaska) Inc., et al., 149 FERC ¶ 61,149 (2014). Circuit D.C. Cir.

MISO Transmission Owners v. FERC No. 14-2153 Order 1000 compliance matter challenging Mobile-Sierra determinations regarding MISO's right of first refusal provisions. Midwest Indep. Transm. System Op., Inc.; MISO Transm. Owners, et al., 142 FERC ¶ 61,215 (2013), order on reh’g & compl., 147 FERC ¶ 61,127 (2014). Circuit 7th Cir.

Sierra Club v. FERC No. 14-1249 Approval of requested increase in production capacity of Liquefied Natural Gas export terminal. Sabine Pass Liquefaction, LLC and Sabine Pass LNG, L.P., 146 FERC ¶ 61,117 (2014), reh’g denied, 148 FERC ¶ 61,200 (2014). Circuit D.C. Cir.

Xcel Energy Services Inc. v. FERC No. 14-1282 Rates for transmission service by Tri-County Electric Cooperative; whether rates should be subject to refund, absent a commitment by Tri-County, an exempt public utility, to refund difference between filed rate and rate ultimately found to be just and reasonable. Southwest Power Pool, Inc., 138 FERC ¶ 61,231 (2012), order on reh’g, 142 FERC ¶ 61,135 (2013), order on reh’g & compl., 149 FERC ¶ 61,050 (2014). Circuit D.C. Cir.

Bob Keenan, et al. v. Norman C. Bay No. 15-cv-1440 (RCL) Motion for temporary restraining order to prevent the transfer of the Kerr hydroelectric dam denied after 9/4/15 oral argument, and complaint voluntarily dismissed on 10/13/15 in response to 9/17/15 motion to dismiss for lack of jurisdiction (wrong court, wrong time). Circuit D.D.C.

In Re: Clean Air Council No. 15-2940 Response to petition for mandamus and stay of FERC order granting certificate for pipeline expansion. Circuit 3rd Cir.

Nazarian, et al. v. PPL Energy Plus, LLC No. 14-614, et al. Brief for the United States as amicus curiae opposing four petitions for writs of certiorari for Supreme Court review. Two petitions, filed by Douglas Nazarian, et al. (in their official capacities as the then Chairman and Commissioners of the Maryland Public Service Commission) and CPV Maryland, LLC, seek review of the Fourth Circuit’s finding that Maryland’s Generation Order is preempted by the Federal Power Act. Two petitions, filed by Joseph L. Fiordaliso (in his official capacity as Commissioner of the NJ Bd. of Pub. Utilities) and CPV Power Development, Inc., seek review of the Third Circuit’s finding that the New Jersey’s Long Term Capacity Pilot Program Act is preempted by the Federal Power Act. [Brief filed by the Solicitor General of the United States]. Circuit Supreme Court

FERC v. Electric Power Supply Ass’n No. 14-840 Merits reply brief seeking Supreme Court reversal of May 23, 2014 decision of the D.C. Circuit invalidating Commission rulemaking governing participation by eligible demand response resources in organized wholesale energy markets. Demand Response Compensation in Organized Wholesale Energy Markets, Order No. 745, 134 FERC ¶ 61,187 (2011), order on reh’g, 137 FERC ¶ 61,215 (2011). [Brief filed by the Solicitor General of the United States] Circuit Supreme Court

LSP Transmission Holdings, et al. v. FERC No. 14-2533 Order 1000 compliance matter challenging approval of Midwest ISO and certain Transmission Owners' filing to exclude baseline reliability projects from Order 1000 cost allocation requirements. Midwest Indep. Transm. System Op., Inc.; MISO Transm. Owners, et al., 142 FERC ¶ 61,215 (2013), order on reh’g & compl, 147 FERC ¶ 61,127 (2014). Circuit 7th Cir.

Sierra Club and Galveston Baykeeper v. FERC No. 14-1275 Order authorizing Freeport LNG to export LNG from existing Quintana Island terminal and to construct and operate related facilities; consideration of project impacts. Freeport LNG Development, et al., 148 FERC ¶ 61,076 (2014), reh’g & clar. denied, 149 FERC ¶ 61,119 (2014). Circuit D.C. Cir.

FERC v. Electric Power Supply Ass’n No. 14-840 Merits brief seeking Supreme Court reversal of May 23, 2014 decision of the D.C. Circuit invalidating Commission rulemaking governing participation by eligible demand response resources in organized wholesale energy markets. Demand Response Compensation in Organized Wholesale Energy Markets, Order No. 745, 134 FERC ¶ 61,187 (2011), order on reh’g, 137 FERC ¶ 61,215 (2011). [Brief filed by the Solicitor General of the United States] Circuit Supreme Ct.

Town of Dedham v. FERC No. 1:15-cv-12352-GAO Motion for preliminary injunction to stop Algonquin construction denied, and motion to dismiss for lack of jurisdiction (wrong court, wrong time) granted, after 7/13/15 argument). Circuit D. Mass.