Foreword
Electric energy policy took center stage in early 2001, when California was plagued by power shortages and rolling blackouts. This crisis put a spotlight on the often chaotic world of energy regulation — an ongoing struggle between States, large private and public power companies, and the Federal Government.The regulatory playing field was established in 1935, with the passage of the Federal Power Act (FPA). This legislation divided control of the electricity industry between the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and State agencies.Under the law, FERC was granted jurisdiction over "the transmission of electric energy in interstate commerce" and "the sale…
