The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) released its Combined Notice of Filings #1 on December 15, 2025, cataloging a range of submissions received on December 9 and 10, 2025. This notice encompasses electric corporate applications, exempt wholesale generator self-certifications, a formal complaint, and electric rate filings. Issued under the auspices of the Department of Energy, the document provides public notification of these proceedings, allowing for interventions and comments by specified deadlines. This development underscores FERC's role in overseeing interstate electricity transmission and wholesale sales, ensuring competitive markets amid evolving energy technologies like storage systems. With comment periods extending into late December 2025 and early 2026, these filings could influence market dynamics, regulatory approvals, and energy infrastructure planning across multiple regions.
Electric Corporate Filings
A key component of the notice is a joint application under Section 203 of the Federal Power Act, docketed as EC26-37-000. Filed by Atlas VII, LLC, and others on December 9, 2025, this seeks authorization for transactions involving public utilities, such as mergers or asset transfers that could affect control over jurisdictional facilities. Section 203 requires FERC to approve such deals if they are consistent with the public interest, considering factors like market competition and rates. The notice notes a database error for applicant details, but the filing's accession number is 20251209-5190, with comments due by December 30, 2025. This type of application often arises in an industry consolidating around renewable and storage assets, reflecting broader trends in energy transitions driven by policies like the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022.
Historically, FERC has scrutinized Section 203 filings to prevent undue market concentration, as seen in precedents like the 2012 approval of Duke Energy's merger with Progress Energy, where conditions were imposed to mitigate anticompetitive effects. Key players here include Atlas VII, LLC, likely a holding entity in the energy sector, though specifics are obscured by the data error. Potential implications include short-term shifts in asset ownership and long-term effects on wholesale electricity prices if the transaction enhances efficiency or, conversely, reduces competition.
Exempt Wholesale Generator Self-Certifications
The notice lists seven self-certifications for exempt wholesale generator (EWG) status, under dockets EG26-92-000 through EG26-98-000. These were submitted by entities such as Mallard Energy Storage LLC, MEC Phase 1, LLC, MEC Phase 2, LLC (with a noted database error), Lock Energy Center, LLC, Colleton Energy Storage, LLC, Williamsburg Energy Storage, LLC, and Honey Creek Energy, LLC. Filed on December 9 and 10, 2025, these notices allow the applicants to engage in wholesale electricity sales without full public utility regulation, provided they meet criteria under the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 2005.
EWG status is crucial for independent power producers, exempting them from certain financial reporting and affiliate restrictions. Many of these filers, like Mallard and Colleton, focus on energy storage, a growing segment amid grid reliability needs and renewable integration. For instance, energy storage projects can provide ancillary services, as outlined in FERC Order No. 841 (2018), which mandated market participation rules for storage resources. Comment deadlines range from December 30 to 31, 2025. From a broader perspective, stakeholders like environmental groups may view these certifications as advancing clean energy, while utilities might express concerns over market saturation leading to volatility in capacity auctions.
Complaints and Compliance Filings
One complaint stands out in docket EL26-33-000: Spitfire LLC versus Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), filed on December 9, 2025. This formal grievance, accessible via accession number 20251209-5047, likely addresses issues such as transmission access or rate disputes, given BPA's role as a federal power marketing administration in the Pacific Northwest. Complaints under FERC's purview often invoke Section 206 of the Federal Power Act, allowing investigations into unjust practices. Comments are due by December 29, 2025.
BPA, a non-profit entity under the Department of Energy, manages hydropower and transmission, with past disputes including the 2020 environmental impact statement on Columbia River operations. This filing by Spitfire LLC, possibly a renewable developer, could stem from interconnection delays or cost allocation disagreements. Different perspectives include BPA's emphasis on public power mandates versus private entities' push for open access, as debated in cases like FERC's oversight of BPA's open access transmission tariff.
Electric Rate Filings
The notice details numerous electric rate filings under Section 205 of the Federal Power Act, which permits utilities to propose rate changes subject to FERC approval. Notable entries include triennial market power analyses in dockets ER20-1965-003 and ER20-1644-002 by ENMAX Energy Marketing, Inc., and Versant Power, filed December 10, 2025, assessing whether these entities can exercise market power in the Northeast region. These analyses, required every three years, draw from FERC's 1996 Order No. 888 promoting competition.
Other filings encompass supplements, amendments, and new rates, such as Southern California Edison Company's revisions to its Wholesale Distribution Access Tariff (docket ER26-707-000) and Transmission Owner Tariff (ER26-708-000), effective January 1, 2026. Southwest Power Pool, Inc., proposes corrections to its tariff (ER26-709-000), while PJM Interconnection, L.L.C., submits cancellations and amendments to interconnection agreements (e.g., ER26-712-000, ER26-714-000). Additional entries from entities like Alabama Power Company and Midcontinent Independent System Operator, Inc., address network integration transmission services and system support resource terminations.
These filings reflect operational adjustments, with potential impacts on consumer rates and grid reliability. For example, the New York Independent System Operator's proposed revisions to its Installed Capacity market (ER26-713-000) aim to incorporate capacity accreditation for storage resources, aligning with FERC Order No. 2222 on distributed energy participation.
In summary, this FERC notice highlights a snapshot of regulatory activity, emphasizing energy storage's rise and the need for vigilant market oversight. As filings proceed, they may shape investment in renewables and infrastructure resilience.
