federal energy regulatory commission
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. An independent five-member commission in the U.S. Department of Energy responsible for licensing hydroelectric-power projects and for setting interstate rates on (1) transporting and selling natural gas for resale, (2) transporting and selling electricity at wholesale, and (3) transporting oil by pipeline. • It was created by the Department of Energy Organization Act of 1977. As enforcer of the Natural Gas Act, it succeeded the Federal Power Commission. — Abbr. FERC. [Cases: Gas 1.]