There are big changes at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) now that Richard Glick has been named chair. Forty three years after Congress ordered FERC to create the Office of Public Participation, efforts are being made to fund and create the OPP at FERC. FERC is giving new attention to environmental justice and climate movement criticism, holding listening sessions and conferences seeking insight into how FERC can chart a new course.
Since 2014 Beyond Extreme Energy (BXE) has been a staunch opponent of FERC as a rubber stamping agency for the fossil fuel industry. We welcome these changes at FERC, but believe that FERC cannot be fully reformed from within. The changes made under one progressive chair cannot undo the decades of FERC corruption and structural facilitation of climate change. What can be achieved under Glick can be undone by subsequent chairs. Therefore we have long campaigned for the creation of the Federal Renewable Energy Commission (FREC).
In 1977 FERC was created by Congress due to “growing doubts about the effectiveness” of FERC’s 1920s predecessor the FPC. The time has come to likewise dismantle FERC, and to replace it with an institution with a clear climate mandate rooted in the issues of the 21st century.
At this moment, those within FERC are seeking counsel as to what must change. Parallel to this Congressional support for the creation of FREC has grown based on our Legislative Case for a Federal Renewable Energy Commission. Forces from below, from above, and from within are looking at what a new FERC requires. At this critical juncture we are inviting frontline organizers, activist groups, and legislators to the FERC Into FREC Summit! The Summit will be held via Zoom on April 10th from 1-5PM EDT.
The goal of this summit is to deepen our vision for how a Federal Renewable Energy Commission would function. We have many critiques of FERC, and many dreams of a green future. But what are the policies and mechanisms that make it a reality?
To get us there we will examine BXE’s current visions of FREC, proposals from Congress, and what frontline groups envision. We will split off into breakout groups to tackle issue by issue the workings of a new sort of energy regulatory commission. One rooted in environmental justice, community control, and decarbonization.
To attend- please register here: https://forms.gle/mtpiB3o2obiYTnU29
To have the most in depth conversations possible- we ask that attendees familiarize themselves with BXE’s Legislative Case for a Federal Renewable Energy Commission.
See you there!
Beyond Extreme Energy 