On February 14, 2023, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit upheld the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (FERC) method for calculating the size of a small power production qualifying facility (QF) under PURPA as the net output or “send-out” capacity of the project. See Solar Energy Industries Association v. FERC, No. 21-1126 (D.C. Cir. 2023). To be a small power production QF under PURPA, a facility must use a qualified renewable resource, such as biomass, waste, wind, solar, or geothermal resources, to produce energy, and have a power production capacity that does not exceed 80 megawatts when considered with other facilities at the same site. FERC’s method of calculating the maximum size limitation was contested by Edison Electric Institute and Northwestern Energy (collectively, Utilities).

Horn_Robert
Robert Horn

Adam Sachs
Adam Sachs

During his confirmation hearing to become Secretary of Energy, former Texas Governor Rick Perry sensibly walked back his 2011 recommendation that the Department of Energy (DOE) be eliminated. After a few weeks on the job, it is now apparent that the secretary not only thinks the DOE should continue to exist but recognizes it’s an essential element of our national security.

President Trump’s inaugural address called for an “America First Energy Plan.”  Although admittedly short on details, the Trump plan seems to