Federal Power Act

E39119

The Federal Power Act is a U.S. law that regulates interstate electricity transmission and wholesale power sales, granting the federal government—primarily the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission—broad authority over the nation’s electric power industry.


Statements (53)
Predicate Object
instanceOf United States federal statute
electricity regulation law
energy law
allocatesJurisdictionBetween federal government
state governments
amendedBy Energy Policy Act of 1992
Energy Policy Act of 2005
amendedFrom Federal Water Power Act of 1920
authorizes FERC to approve tariffs and rate schedules
FERC to order refunds for unjust and unreasonable rates
FERC to oversee independent system operators
FERC to oversee regional transmission organizations
FERC to regulate transmission service terms and conditions
licensing of hydroelectric projects on navigable waters
regulation of rates for wholesale sales of electricity in interstate commerce
codifiedIn Title 16 of the United States Code
country United States
enactedBy United States Congress
focusesOn interstate power transmission
regulation of electric utilities
wholesale power markets
grantsAuthorityTo Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
jurisdiction federal
originalShortTitle Federal Water Power Act
partOf New Deal legislation
policyGoal to ensure reliable interstate electric service
to protect consumers against excessive electricity rates
previouslyAdministeredBy Federal Power Commission
primaryRegulator Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
prohibits unduly discriminatory or preferential electric rates
publicLawNumber Public Law 74-333
regulates interstate transmission of electric energy
wholesale sales of electric energy in interstate commerce
relatedTo Energy Policy Act of 2005
Natural Gas Act
Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978
requires electric rates to be just and reasonable
reservesAuthorityToStatesOver local distribution of electric energy
retail sales of electricity
section Part I
Part II
Part III
Section 201
Section 203
Section 205
Section 206
Section201Defines FERC jurisdiction over sale and transmission of electric energy in interstate commerce
Section203Covers FERC approval of certain utility mergers and asset dispositions
Section205Covers filing and review of rates and charges
Section206Covers modification of existing rates found unjust or unreasonable
signedBy Franklin D. Roosevelt
U.S.CCitation 16 U.S.C. §§ 791a–828c
yearEnacted 1935


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