FERC Rate Increases for Power Transmission Line Advocacy Tossed

The FERC is barred from raising rates to cover more than $6 million spent by a power transmission line for public relations and advocacy activities, the D.C. Circuit ruled Tuesday in a win for a pair of ratepayers who represented themselves.

Plaintiffs without counsel rarely are successful as these ratepayers were in their suit against the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

Potomac-Appalachian Transmission Highline LLC, also known as PATH, booked the spending in accounts for “Outside Services Employed” and “General Advertising Expenses.” But the spending should be linked to an account for “Certain Civic, Political and Related Activities,” according to the ...