Document ID: FERC-2006-0955-0001
Agency: ferc
Document Type: Rule
Title: Repeal of the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935 and Enactment of the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 2005
Posted Date: 2006-05-16T04:00Z

[Federal Register: May 16, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 94)]
[Rules and Regulations]               
[Page 28446-28463]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr16my06-23]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

18 CFR Parts 365 and 366

[Docket No. RM05-32-001, Order No. 667-A]

 
Repeal of the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935 and 
Enactment of the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 2005

Issued April 24, 2006.
AGENCY: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, DOE.

ACTION: Final Rule; Order on rehearing.

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SUMMARY: In this order on rehearing, the Federal Energy Regulatory 
Commission (Commission) reaffirms its determinations in part and grants 
rehearing in part of Order No. 667, which amended the Commission's 
regulations to implement the repeal of the Public Utility Holding 
Company Act of 1935 and the enactment of the Public Utility Holding 
Company Act of 2005.

DATES: Effective Date: The final rule and order on rehearing are 
effective June 15, 2006.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 
Lawrence Greenfield (Legal Information), Federal Energy Regulatory 
Commission, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426. (202) 502-
6415.
Abraham Silverman (Legal Information), Federal Energy Regulatory 
Commission, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426. (202) 502-
6444.
James Guest (Technical Information), Federal Energy Regulatory 
Commission, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426. (202) 502-
6614.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
Before Commissioners: Joseph T. Kelliher, Chairman; Nora Mead 
Brownell, and Suedeen G. Kelly; Order on Rehearing
    1. On December 8, 2005, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission 
(Commission) issued Order No. 667,\1\ in which the Commission amended 
its regulations to implement the repeal of the Public Utility Holding 
Company Act of 1935 and the enactment of the Public Utility Holding 
Company Act of 2005, by adding Subchapter U and Part 366 to its 
regulations and removing its exempt wholesale generator rules 
previously

[[Page 28447]]

found in Subchapter T and Part 365. In this order, we deny in part and 
grant in part the various requests for rehearing received by the 
Commission, and amend Subchapter U and Part 366 of our regulations 
accordingly.\2\
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    \1\ Repeal of the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935 and 
Enactment of the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 2005, Order 
No. 667, 70 FR 75592 (Dec. 20, 2005), FERC Stats. & Regs. ] 31,197 
(2005).
    \2\ We note that contemporaneously with this order, we are 
issuing in Docket No. RM06-11-000, a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking 
proposing a new Uniform System of Accounts and new record retention 
requirements, along with conforming changes to 18 CFR 366.21-366.23. 
See Financial Accounting, Reporting and Records Retention 
Requirements Under the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 2005, 
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, published elsewhere in this issue of 
the Federal Register, FERC Stats. & Regs. ] 32,600 (2006).
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Introduction

    2. Order No. 667 was issued in response to the Energy Policy Act of 
2005 (EPAct 2005),\3\ which in relevant part repeals the Public Utility 
Holding Company Act of 1935 (PUHCA 1935) \4\ and enacts the Public 
Utility Holding Company Act of 2005 (PUHCA 2005).\5\ Order No. 667 was 
issued to comply with various sections of EPAct 2005, which directed 
the Commission to issue certain rules on or before December 8, 2005.\6\
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    \3\ Energy Policy Act of 2005, Pub. L. 109-58, 119 Stat. 594 
(2005).
    \4\ 15 U.S.C. 79a et seq.
    \5\ EPAct 2005 at 1261 et seq.
    \6\ Id. at 1266, 1272, 1275. Concurrently with the issuance of 
Order No. 667, the Commission submitted a report to Congress on 
proposed technical and conforming amendments to PUHCA 2005. One such 
proposed amendment was a revision to section 1275(b) to provide for 
Commission review of cost allocations not only to public utilities 
but also to natural gas companies within a holding company system. 
The Interstate Natural Gas Association of America subsequently asked 
the Commission to clarify that it intended to recommend an amendment 
to provide for Commission review of cost allocations to gas utility 
companies and not natural gas companies. We agree. We misspoke and 
intended to recommend to Congress an amendment to provide for 
Commission review of cost allocations to gas utility companies and 
not natural gas companies; there is little or no likelihood of 
conflicting regulation that would necessitate amendment of section 
1275(b) to address cost allocations to natural gas companies. 
Separately, we also note that our authority with respect to natural 
gas companies is already substantial and no further authority is 
needed.
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Background

    3. On September 16, 2005, the Commission issued a notice of 
proposed rulemaking (NOPR) \7\ in which it proposed to add a new 
Subchapter U and Part 366 to Title 18 of the Code of Federal 
Regulations to implement Title XII, Subtitle F of EPAct 2005 and to 
remove Subchapter T and Part 365 of Title 18 of the Code of Federal 
Regulations.
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    \7\ Repeal of the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935 and 
Enactment of the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 2005, Notice 
of Proposed Rulemaking, 70 FR 55,805 (2005), FERC Stats. & Regs. ] 
32,588 (2005).
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    4. Section 1264 of PUHCA 2005 concerns Commission access to the 
books and records of holding companies and other companies in holding 
company systems, and section 1275 of PUHCA 2005 addresses the 
Commission's review and authorization of the allocation of costs for 
non-power goods or administrative or management services when requested 
by a holding company system or state commission. The Federal books and 
records access provision, section 1264, and the non-power goods and 
services provision, section 1275, of PUHCA 2005 supplement the 
Commission's existing authorities under the Federal Power Act (FPA) \8\ 
and the Natural Gas Act (NGA) \9\ to protect customers against improper 
cross-subsidization or encumbrances of jurisdictional company assets, 
including the Commission's broad authority under FPA section 301 and 
NGA section 8 to obtain the books and records of regulated companies 
and any person that controls or is controlled by such companies if 
relevant to jurisdictional activities.\10\
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    \8\ 16 U.S.C. 824d-e.
    \9\ 15 U.S.C. 717c-d.
    \10\ 16 U.S.C. 825; 15 U.S.C. 717g.
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    5. In implementing Order No. 667, the Commission recognized ``the 
clear intent of Congress to repeal the regulatory regime established by 
PUHCA 1935 and to rely on state regulatory authorities and the 
Commission to protect energy customers, by supplementing the 
Commission's books and records authority under PUHCA 2005 and by 
enhancing our already significant authority over public utility 
mergers, acquisitions and dispositions of jurisdictional facilities.'' 
\11\
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    \11\ Order No. 667 at P 4.
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    6. Subsequent to our issuance of Order No. 667, on February 8, 
2006, the repeal of PUHCA 1935 and the new PUHCA 2005 became effective. 
As we emphasized in Order No. 667, however, the changes in law do not 
affect our primary means of protecting customers served by 
jurisdictional companies that are members of holding company systems: 
the FPA and NGA. In particular, the Commission's rate authorities and 
information access authorities under the FPA and NGA enable the 
Commission to detect and disallow from jurisdictional rates any 
imprudently-incurred, unjust or unreasonable, or unduly discriminatory 
or preferential costs resulting from affiliate transactions between 
companies in the same holding company system.\12\ Additionally, the 
Commission's authority under section 203 of the FPA,\13\ as amended by 
EPAct 2005, over mergers and other corporate transactions involving 
public utilities and certain public utility holding companies provides 
the ability to ensure that proposed transactions are consistent with 
the public interest and do not result in inappropriate cross-
subsidization or encumbrances of utility assets. We also emphasize that 
nothing in new Subchapter U and Part 366 of the Commission's 
regulations affects the Commission's independent ability to obtain 
access to books and records under the FPA and NGA.
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    \12\ Since the vast majority of registered public utility 
holding companies under PUHCA 1935 were electric public utility 
holding companies, our description here focuses primarily on the 
FPA. However, except for merger and corporate authority under the 
FPA, our authorities and processes under the NGA are similar.
    \13\ 16 U.S.C. 824b; Pub. L. 109-58, 1289, 119 Stat. 594, 982-83 
(2005).
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    7. Finally, we note that we have committed in Order No. 667 to hold 
a technical conference no later than one year from the effective date 
of PUHCA 2005 to assess whether additional actions are needed in order 
to effectively safeguard ratepayers.

Discussion

1. Definitions

    8. A number of commenters sought rehearing and/or clarification of 
the definitions provided in Sec.  366.1 of the Commission's 
regulations. However, these requests are more appropriately addressed 
in the ``Exemption Authority'' section below, and will be discussed 
there.

2. Books and Records Requirements

    9. American Public Power Association and the National Rural 
Electric Cooperative Association (APPA/NRECA) argue that Order No. 667 
should be amended to require that service companies submit as part of 
their annual report (Form No. 60) detailed supporting schedules for 
Outside Services Employed and Employee Pensions and Benefits.\14\ 
According to APPA/NRECA, excluding supporting details of the costs 
incurred for outside services employed and employee pensions and 
benefits provides an opportunity for non-utility related costs incurred 
by service companies to be inappropriately passed on to jurisdictional 
public utilities and the schedule of expense by department or service 
function in Form No. 60 does not appear to provide sufficient

[[Page 28448]]

transparency to enable detection of cross-subsidies.\15\
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    \14\ APPA/NRECA Rehearing Request at 4.
    \15\ Id. at 15.
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    10. APPA/NRECA further argue that Order No. 667 should be amended 
to require holding companies to continue to file Securities and 
Exchange Commission (SEC) Form U-5S for the time being.\16\ APPA/NRECA 
notes that Order No. 667 states the filing of SEC Form U-5S will not be 
required because ``the information in this form is available in other 
Commission or SEC filings and/or is not relevant to costs incurred by 
jurisdictional entities and is not necessary or appropriate for the 
protection of utility customers with respect to jurisdictional rates.'' 
\17\ According to APPA/NRECA, by using ``and'' and ``or'' conjunctions, 
this sentence provides no clear rationale for the Commission's 
conclusion. Moreover, it does not identify the Commission or SEC 
filings in which the information in SEC Form U-5S is available or 
explain why information that is not available in other Commission or 
SEC filings is not relevant to jurisdictional rates. APPA/NRECA thus 
urges the Commission to retain Form U-5S and determine at a later date 
whether to continue requiring holding companies to file it.
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    \16\ Prior to the repeal of PUHCA 1935, the SEC required 
registered public utility holding companies to file an annual Form 
U-5S, providing information on the company's corporate structure, 
board of directors, acquisitions or sales of utility assets, 
securities transactions, investments in companies outside the 
holding company family, political contributions, contracts between 
the service company and utility affiliates, relations between the 
holding company and any exempt wholesale generator (EWG) or foreign 
utility company (FUCO), and a copy of the company's yearly financial 
reports.
    \17\ Order No. 667 at P 95.
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    11. We will not at this time adopt APPA/NRECA's request and require 
that service companies submit as part of their annual Form No. 60 
detailed supporting schedules for outside services employed and 
employee pensions and benefits. We are not persuaded that such 
additional detail is needed in the annual Form No. 60. If necessary, 
such information is accessible in the context of a rate case when a 
public utility files to change its rates under section 205,\18\ or the 
Commission, on its own motion, may obtain access to such information as 
necessary in the context of an audit or the institution of a section 
206 rate investigation.\19\ Moreover, we note that, in Order No. 667, 
we committed to hold a technical conference to address, among other 
things, what changes to the Commission's accounting, record-retention, 
reporting or related rules may be necessary.\20\ APPA/NRECA's concerns 
would be more appropriately addressed in that technical conference 
after the Commission has received the first Form No. 60's, which are 
required to be filed on or before May 1, 2006.\21\
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    \18\ 16 U.S.C. 824d; 18 CFR 35.13; 18 CFR 385.401-11, 
385.504(b)(5).
    \19\ 16 U.S.C. 824d, 825; 18 CFR 385.401-11, 385.504(b)(5).
    \20\ Order No. 667 at P 17.
    \21\ See 18 CFR 366.23.
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    12. We will not require holding companies to continue to file SEC 
Form U-5S. Section 1264 of EPAct 2005 supplements our broad authority 
under section 301 of the FPA and section 8 of the NGA to obtain the 
books and records of public utilities and natural gas companies, and 
any person that controls, directly or indirectly, a public utility or 
natural gas company, and any other company controlled by such person, 
insofar as the books and records relate to transactions with or the 
business of the jurisdictional company.\22\ In Order No. 667, we 
determined that these FPA and NGA authorities, along with the other 
accounting, record-retention, and reporting requirements adopted under 
PUHCA 2005, are sufficient to ensure that the Commission may obtain any 
books and records relevant to costs incurred by jurisdictional 
entities. Moreover, we saw no need for the wholesale adoption of SEC 
Form U-5S because we determined, on balance, that the information 
contained therein was either duplicative or unnecessary. For example, 
Item 2 in the U-5S calls for the reporting of acquisitions or sales of 
utility assets. However, the same or similar information is required to 
be reported by public utilities within a holding company system on page 
108 of their Form No. 1. Similarly, Item 3 in the U-5S calls for 
reporting the issuance or sale of system securities. The same or 
similar information is required to be reported by public utilities 
within a holding company system on pages 256 and 257 of their Form No. 
1. Also, the notes to the consolidated financial statements required by 
Item 10 in the U-5S contain the same information required to be 
reported in the SEC Form 10-K.
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    \22\ See 16 U.S.C. 825(c); 15 U.S.C. 717g(c).
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3. Exemption Authority

Section 1266(a) Exemptions
    13. A number of the requests for rehearing argue that the 
Commission should clarify that holding companies that are exempt under 
section 1266(a) of PUHCA 2005 are not ``holding companies'' and thus 
should not be required to file either FERC-65 (notification of holding 
company status) or to seek exemption or waiver by means of FERC-65A 
(exemption notification) or FERC-65B (waiver notification).\23\ Coral 
Power, L.L.C. and Shell WindEnergy, Inc. (Independent Power Producers) 
request that the Commission amend Order No. 667 such that the 
requirement to file FERC-65A is not imposed on entities that they 
claim, by definition, are not ``holding companies.'' \24\ Independent 
Power Producers further argue that Order No. 667 does not completely 
implement the Commission's stated intent to deem EWGs, FUCOs, and 
qualifying facilities (QFs), and power and gas marketers not to be 
``public-utility companies'' under PUHCA 2005, and Independent Power 
Producers thus seek rehearing or clarification insofar as Order No. 667 
refers to owners of certain entities that are excluded from the 
definition of ``public-utility company'' as ``holding companies.'' \25\ 
Similarly, Morgan Stanley Capital Group (Morgan Stanley) urges the 
Commission to state explicitly that any ``person or company'' qualified 
to file Form FERC-65A (exemption notification) is merely filing notice 
that it is not a ``holding company'' under PUHCA 2005, and that such 
party is not filing as a ``holding company'' applying for exemption 
from PUHCA 2005's books and records obligations.\26\ In the 
alternative, if the Commission does not provide the clarification 
requested above, then Morgan Stanley requests rehearing of Order No. 
667 to the extent it purports to construe owners of EWGs, FUCOs, and 
QFs, as well as passive investors, mutual funds, broker/dealers, 
underwriters or trusts as ``holding companies.'' \27\ Finally, NRG 
requests that the Commission should amend the definition of ``electric 
utility company'' to provide that a QF is not an ``electric utility 
company,'' consistent with section 1266(a) of PUHCA 2005 and section 
210(e) of PURPA.\28\
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    \23\ We note that, unlike Form No. 60, the FERC-65, FERC-65A and 
FERC-65B are not forms per se, and we left to the discretion of the 
person or company filing them how to best provide the information 
and showing that needs to be submitted.
    \24\ Independent Power Producers Rehearing Request at 2-3.
    \25\ Id.
    \26\ Morgan Stanley Rehearing Request at 1.
    \27\ Id. at 4.
    \28\ NRG Rehearing Request at 3.
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    14. The Commission will deny the requests to clarify that companies 
that are exempt under section 1266(a) (i.e., entities that own or 
control only EWGs, FUCOs, or QFs) are not holding companies under PUHCA 
2005. In

[[Page 28449]]

defining the term ``holding company'' in PUHCA 2005, Congress expressly 
excluded from the definition certain financial and securities firms, 
but did not exclude from the definition companies that own, control or 
hold the power to vote securities of only QFs, EWGs, or FUCOs. Rather, 
Congress specifically stated in section 1266 of PUHCA 2005 that the 
Commission was to ``exempt'' from section 1264 of PUHCA 2005 ``any 
person that is a holding company, solely with respect to one or more 
[QFs, EWGs, or FUCOs].'' Thus, the wording of the exemption itself 
recognizes that such persons are holding companies, but mandates that 
an exemption be provided for such persons.\29\ Accordingly, it would be 
inconsistent with the statute to find that such persons are not holding 
companies. We recognize, however, that there is an internal 
inconsistency in our finding that the statute considers such persons to 
be holding companies and in the regulatory text of Order No. 667 which 
excludes EWGs from the definition of ``electric utility company.'' As 
commenters point out, if an EWG is not considered an ``electric utility 
company,'' then a person that owns only EWGs arguably would not even be 
a holding company because it does not control an electric utility 
company.\30\ Accordingly, to be consistent with the statutory 
construction of PUHCA 2005, we are amending Sec.  366.1 of our 
regulations to remove from the definitions of ``electric utility 
company'' and ``exempt wholesale generator'' the statement that an EWG 
is not an electric utility company.\31\ Moreover, including EWGs, FUCOs 
and QFs as electric utility companies is consistent with common usage, 
which supports defining electric utility companies as companies owning 
electric facilities (generation, transmission or distribution) for the 
sale of electric energy. However, as discussed infra, persons that are 
holding companies solely with respect to EWGs, QFs, or FUCOs will 
receive an automatic exemption and will not be required to file FERC-65 
or FERC-65A.
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    \29\ The Commission notes that under sections 32 and 33 of PUHCA 
1935, EWGs and FUCOs were not included in the term ``electric 
utility company.'' However Congress did not include such a statement 
in PUHCA 2005. Instead, PUHCA 2005 says only that EWGs and FUCOs 
should have the same ''meanings'' as in PUHCA 1935. The exemptions 
in PUHCA 1935 were not in the definitional subsections on EWGs or 
FUCOs. If EWGs, FUCOs and QFs are not electric utility companies, 
then section 1266(a) would be superfluous. Thus, we reject any 
arguments that EWGs or FUCOs do not fall under the definition of 
``electric utility company.''
    \30\ As noted previously, to accept this line of argument by 
commenters would also render the section 1266 exemption superfluous 
and thus would be inconsistent with the principle that a statute 
should be construed to give effect to all of its provisions. See, 
e.g., 2A N. Singer, Statutes and Statutory Construction 46.06 at 
181-186 (Rev. 6th Ed. 2000).
    \31\ We note that there is a similar regulatory text problem in 
Order No. 671, which excludes QFs from the definition of ``electric 
utility company.'' See Revised Regulations Governing Small Power 
Production and Cogeneration Facilities, Order No. 671, 71 FR 7852 
(Feb. 15, 2006), FERC Stats. & Regs. ] 31,203 at P 92, 102 (2006). 
For the same reasons as discussed above, upon further consideration, 
we have concluded that the position taken in Order No. 671 would 
similarly render superfluous the exemption granted in section 
1266(a)(1) to a person that is a holding company solely with respect 
to QFs. Therefore, we clarify here that QFs will not be excluded 
from the definition of ``electric utility company'' but nevertheless 
we intend to exempt QFs from PUHCA 2005 and most FPA requirements 
pursuant to our PURPA authority to grant such exemptions. We intend 
to revise 18 CFR 292.602 of the Commission's regulations to remove 
the statement that a QF is not an ``electric utility company'' 
within the meaning of PUHCA 2005.
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    15. For the same reasons, we will deny Morgan Stanley's request 
that we should treat all passive investors, mutual funds, broker/
dealers, underwriters or trusts not as ``holding companies.'' If such 
entities fall within the exclusion from the definition of holding 
company contained in Sec.  366.1 of our regulations, which tracks the 
statutory definition of holding company, they would not be holding 
companies (and thus would not be subject to Commission regulation under 
PUHCA 2005), but if they instead fall within the definition of holding 
company, then they would be holding companies (and, absent exemption or 
waiver, would be subject to Commission regulation under PUHCA 2005). 
Section 366.3(b) of our regulations as revised herein, consistent with 
section 1266(b) of PUHCA 2005, permits the Commission to exempt other 
persons or classes of transactions based on a determination that their 
books and records are not relevant to jurisdictional rates. Persons who 
believe that they are entitled to exemption may seek such exemption if 
they are not covered by one of the blanket exemptions contained in the 
rule.
Section 1266(b) Exemptions: Non-Traditional Utilities
    16. A number of entities sought clarification with respect to the 
additional exemptions that the Commission adopted in Order No. 667 
pursuant to its discretion under section 1266(b) of PUHCA 2005. With 
respect to the exemption for ``non-traditional utilities,'' APPA/NRECA 
request that the Commission clarify that Sec.  366.3(b)(2)'s exemption 
for ``non-traditional'' utilities without ``captive customers'' will be 
narrowly construed and that, in particular, the fact that a public 
utility has been granted market-based rate authority should not be 
sufficient to qualify it for this exemption.\32\ NRG argues that the 
Commission should clarify the distinction, if any, between the 
exemption granted to holding companies that own only EWGs, and the 
exemption granted to holding companies that own non-traditional 
utilities, and that there is no federal regulatory need to obtain or 
maintain EWG status if the electric utility company that is owned by a 
holding company is also a non-traditional utility. NRG reports that 
banks and other lenders are uncertain about the new exemption, and are 
insisting that NRG seek traditional EWG status for its projects. To 
counteract this trend, NRG asks that the Commission clarify that NRG 
(and other similarly situated entities) need not take any action if NRG 
wants to create a new non-traditional utility that owns generation 
(other than filing for and obtaining market-based rates) or if NRG 
desires to become a holding company of a non-traditional utility that 
does not also qualify as an EWG, QF or power marketer.\33\
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    \32\ APPA/NRECA Rehearing Request at 5, 21.
    \33\ NRG Rehearing Request at 2.
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    17. With respect to APPA/NRECA's request for clarification of what 
is now the Sec.  366.3(b)(2) \34\ exemption for ``non-traditional 
utilities,'' we clarify that the mere fact that a public utility has 
been granted market-based rate authority is not sufficient by itself to 
allow it, or a holding company owning it, to qualify for this 
exemption. We clarify that this exemption requires that the person 
claiming the exemption not have captive customers \35\ and not be 
affiliated with any jurisdictional utility that has captive customers. 
Further, in response to APPA/NRECA's concerns expressed here as well as 
on rehearing of Order No. 669 \36\ with respect to potential cross-
subsidization issues involving jurisdictional transmission services, we 
clarify here consistent with our response on rehearing of Order No. 669 
\37\ that the ``non-traditional utility'' exemption does not apply to 
persons that own Commission-jurisdictional transmission facilities or 
that provide

[[Page 28450]]

Commission-jurisdictional transmission services or to persons that are 
affiliated with persons that own Commission-jurisdictional transmission 
facilities or that provide Commission-jurisdictional transmission 
services.
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    \34\ We note that we have restructured 18 CFR 366.3 to promote 
readability by more clearly tying former 18 CFR 366.3(d) to former 
18 CFR 366.3(b), making them both part of revised 18 CFR 366.3(b).
    \35\ We note that, in Order No. 669-A, issued concurrently with 
this order, we have clarified that a utility is considered to have 
captive customers if it sells electric energy at wholesale or retail 
under cost-based regulation. See Transactions Subject to FPA Section 
203, Order No. 669-A, published elsewhere in this issue of the 
Federal Register, FERC Stats. & Regs. ] 31,213 (2006).
    \36\ See id.
    \37\ See id.
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    18. In response to NRG's request for clarification of the ``non-
traditional utilities'' exemption, we note that there is some overlap 
between the mandatory exemption under section 1266(a) (for EWG, QF and 
FUCO holding companies) and the discretionary exemptions the Commission 
adopted in Order No. 667 pursuant to its authority under section 
1266(b). The statutory exemption is for any person who is a holding 
company solely with respect to EWGs, FUCOs, or QFs, all of which are 
``non-traditional'' utilities. The discretionary exemption for non-
traditional utilities that do not have captive customers, adopted 
pursuant to section 1266(b), additionally covers other non-traditional 
utilities, such as power exchanges, that do not have captive 
customers.\38\ While there may be an overlap in the two exemptions, and 
it is possible that a holding company could qualify for both 
exemptions, we here clarify that the discretionary exemption for non-
traditional utilities that do not have captive customers, adopted 
pursuant to our authority under section 1266(b), is broader in coverage 
than the statutory exemption under section 1266(a).
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    \38\ Power marketers would also be a type of non-traditional 
utility. However, because we have determined that power marketers 
should not be considered ``electric utility companies'' under PUHCA 
2005 (consistent with SEC interpretation under PUHCA 1935), there 
would be no need for an exemption because of ownership of power 
marketers.
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Section 1266(b) Exemptions: Local Distribution Companies
    19. AOG requests that the Commission clarify that holding 
companies, which are holding companies only because they own or control 
exempt local distribution companies (LDCs), are also exempt from Sec.  
366 of the Commission's regulations.\39\ According to AOG, the 
Commission has already determined that ``the books and records of local 
distribution companies that are not regulated by the Commission are not 
relevant to jurisdictional rates.'' \40\ Therefore, if a holding 
company owns only LDCs whose books and records ``are not relevant to 
jurisdictional rates,'' the holding company itself should have no books 
and records that would be ``relevant to jurisdictional rates'' and, 
accordingly, should similarly be exempt from Sec.  366 of the 
Commission's regulations.
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    \39\ AOG Rehearing Request at 4.
    \40\ Id. (citing Order No. 667 at P 132).
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    20. In response to AOG, we note that revised Sec.  366.3(b)(2)(vi) 
of the Commission's regulations provides that any person that is a 
holding company solely with respect to LDCs that are not regulated as 
natural gas companies under the NGA would qualify for this exemption. A 
holding company that owned only such LDCs would be exempted upon 
compliance with the procedures in Sec.  366.4(b) and there is no need 
to amend our regulations.\41\
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    \41\ While not raised on rehearing, we are aware that there may 
be confusion regarding holding companies that have subsidiary 
holding companies. In response, we note that the exemptions or 
waivers from the Commission's regulations under PUHCA 2005 that 
would be granted pursuant to revised 18 CFR 366.3(b) and (c) and 
revised 18 CFR 366.4(b) and (c) would apply to the holding company 
and its subsidiaries. Hence, where one holding company holds 
another, the exemption or waiver that would apply to the parent 
holding company also would apply to the subsidiary holding company. 
Where the parent holding company qualifies for an exemption or 
waiver, the subsidiary holding company would necessarily equally 
qualify; phrased differently, if the subsidiary did not qualify for 
a particular exemption or waiver, then the parent would not qualify 
for that same exemption or waiver either.
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Section 1266(b) Exemptions: Exempt Financing Transactions and 
Transactions Independent of Public Utilities
    21. APPA/NRECA request that the Commission clarify and narrow the 
scope of Sec. Sec.  366.3(b)(3) and (4), i.e., exempt ``financing 
transactions'' and transactions ``independent'' of public utilities. 
APPA/NRECA notes that Sec.  366.3(b)(3) (now revised Sec.  
366.3(b)(2)(iii)) exempts transactions where a:

    Holding company affirmatively certifies on behalf of itself and 
its subsidiaries, as applicable, that it will not charge, bill or 
allocate to the public utility or natural gas company in its holding 
company system any costs or expenses in connection with goods and 
services transactions, and will not engage in financing transactions 
with any such public utility or natural gas company, except as 
authorized by a state commission or the Commission.

According to APPA/NRECA, a too broad construction of the undefined term 
``financing transactions'' might permit a holding company to engage in 
cross-subsidization of unregulated affiliates by the use of guarantees, 
swaps, hedges, derivatives, or various financial arrangements other 
than conventional loans. Moreover, APPA/NRECA contends that access to 
the books and records is still needed to monitor compliance with 
regulatory approvals and to guard against other, non-approved 
transactions. With respect to Sec.  366.3(b)(4)'s (now revised Sec.  
366.3(b)(2)(iv)) exemption for ``transactions between or among 
affiliates that are independent of and do not include a public utility 
or natural gas company,'' APPA/NRECA asserts that the meaning of 
``independent'' and ``include'' is unclear. According to APPA/NRECA, 
this could be interpreted to mean that books and records are exempt 
even if there are other intra-company transactions that ``include'' 
jurisdictional public utilities and which should be subject to the 
Commission's books and records regulations. Under this interpretation, 
a service company could engage in ``independent'' transactions with 
other affiliates that inflate the service company's costs, and then 
that service company could engage in other transactions that allocate 
these inflated costs to a jurisdictional public utility or natural gas 
company. APPA/NRECA thus urges the Commission to clarify that the 
intended exemption is narrow and ``walls off'' or ``ring fences'' the 
jurisdictional public utilities and natural gas companies from bearing 
any costs from, or providing any financial support for, the holding 
company's non-utility operations.
    22. In light of APPA/NRECA's concerns, we will remove the phrase 
``except as authorized by a state commission or the Commission.'' This 
should help address APPA/NRECA's concerns that the provision could be 
interpreted to allow a holding company to engage in transactions 
subject to Commission or state approval but without the Commission 
being permitted to obtain books and records under PUHCA 2005.\42\
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    \42\ A holding company may seek exemption for the class of 
transactions for which it can make the affirmative certification 
required by the regulations. To the extent that a holding company or 
its subsidiaries engage in goods and services or financing 
transactions affecting jurisdictional companies and subject to 
Commission review for purposes of assuring just and reasonable 
rates, the Commission may obtain access to relevant books and 
records.
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    23. However, at this time, we will reject APPA/NRECA's request that 
the Commission clarify and narrow the scope of ``financing 
transactions'' and transactions ``independent'' of public utilities. 
APPA/NRECA here appears to be concerned about the potential for a 
holding company or for unregulated affiliates within a holding company 
system to engage in inappropriate cross-subsidization or affiliate 
abuse. We do not believe that we can clarify or narrow these terms in 
the abstract, but rather we believe that this is an issue best 
addressed on particular facts as they arise. In addition, though, we 
note that

[[Page 28451]]

we will evaluate this issue further in the technical conference. We 
also emphasize that the Commission has substantial, existing authority 
to address such transactions,\43\ and section 1275 supplements that 
authority specifically with respect to the ability of certain holding 
companies and states to obtain review and authorization of the 
allocation of costs for non-power goods and services provided by 
service companies. In addition, APPA/NRECA has not convinced us that 
this exemption would prevent the Commission from guarding against 
inappropriate transactions, because the Commission has broad authority 
under FPA section 301 and NGA section 8 to obtain the books and records 
of public utility and natural gas companies, of any person that 
controls such companies, and of any other company controlled by such 
person, to the extent relevant to jurisdictional rates or activities. 
Finally, with respect to APPA/NRECA's argument that the exemption for 
transactions independent of public utilities should be interpreted to 
``ring fence'' jurisdictional utilities from the holding company's non-
utility operations, we note that in Order No. 667 we rejected the 
requests of commenters such as APPA/NRECA who urged the Commission to 
adopt new rules on cross-subsidization, encumbrances of utility assets, 
diversification into non-utility businesses. We did so because we found 
that PUHCA 2005 does not give the Commission the authority to issue 
additional rules on these matters and because at this time we believe 
the existing rules under the FPA and the NGA are sufficient to prevent 
inappropriate cross-subsidization.\44\ We believe that allowing a 
holding company to certify that any goods and services costs and 
financing transactions will be conducted independent of its public 
utility and natural gas company affiliates represents a further 
voluntary safeguard holding companies may adopt in exchange for this 
exemption.
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    \43\ The Commission's existing ratemaking authorities under 
sections 205 and 206 of the FPA and section 4 and 5 of the NGA 
enable it to protect customers against improper cross-subsidization 
or encumbrances of assets and to disallow from jurisdictional rates 
any imprudently-incurred, unjust or unreasonable, or unduly 
discriminatory or preferential costs resulting from affiliate 
transactions between companies in the same holding company system.
    \44\ Order No. 667 at P 241.
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Waivers: Independent Transmission-Only Companies
    24. APPA/NRECA further contends that Sec.  366.3(c)(3)'s waiver for 
investors in independent transmission-only companies should be 
eliminated.\45\ APPA/NRECA notes that the Commission's rationale for 
this waiver is that ``the rate issues that may arise in connection with 
entities that serve retail customers or that generate or sell 
electricity at wholesale are not present with respect to an independent 
transmission company.'' APPA/NRECA argues that this finding is 
unexplained and that independent transmission companies within holding 
companies may still present rate issues that justify compliance with 
Sec.  366 of the Commission's regulations, e.g., by engaging in cross-
subsidization or affiliate abuse.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \45\ APPA/NRECA Rehearing Request at 4.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    25. We will reject APPA/NRECA's request that we eliminate the 
waiver for investors in independent transmission companies. APPA/NRECA 
misinterprets the scope of this waiver. APPA/NRECA appears to be 
arguing that a holding company that owned other, non-exempt public-
utility companies, but also had an interest in a jurisdictional 
independent transmission company, would be able to obtain this waiver 
and thereby shield the entire holding company system from PUHCA 2005. 
However, this waiver is, by its terms, only available to a person who 
is a holding company ``solely'' with respect to its interest in an 
independent transmission company; an investor that is also a holding 
company within the meaning of PUHCA 2005 due to its ownership of a 
public-utility company other than the independent transmission company 
would thus not qualify for this waiver. In addition, we reiterate that 
the Commission has authority under sections 205 and 206 of the FPA, as 
well as authority under section 301 of the FPA, to obtain the relevant 
books and records of the independent transmission company, any company 
that controls the independent transmission company, and any other 
company that is controlled by the company that controls the independent 
transmission company.
Waivers: Single-State Holding Company Systems
    26. Section 366.1 of Order No. 667's regulatory text defines the 
term ``single-state holding company system'' as ``a holding company 
system whose public utility operations are confined substantially to a 
single state.'' The term is used in Sec.  366.3(c)(1) to allow single-
state holding company systems to request waiver of the books and 
records requirements of Sec. Sec.  366.21, 366.22, and 366.23. 
Additionally, Sec.  366.5(b), relating to a holding company or state 
commission obtaining a cost allocation determination from the 
Commission pursuant to section 1275(b) of PUHCA 2005 (which involves 
cost allocation of non-power goods and services costs), also makes 
reference to holding company systems ``whose public utility operations 
are confined substantially to a single state;'' but, it does not use 
the defined term ``single-state holding company system.''
    27. Consolidated Edison and Orange and Rockland Utilities (ConEd) 
argue that the operations of generation and marketing affiliates should 
not be considered in evaluating requests for waiver under Sec.  
366.3(c)(1) because the operations of such affiliates are not relevant 
to that waiver and would frustrate the objective of Order No. 667. 
ConEd thus urges the Commission to clarify that only public-utility 
company revenues count for purposes of the single-state holding company 
system waiver.\46\ Edison International (Edison) separately argues 
that, in Sec.  366.5(b) of the Commission's regulations, the Commission 
erred by using the phrase ``public utility operations'' rather than 
``public-utility company operations.'' According to Edison, this error 
potentially eliminates the ability of numerous holding companies that 
had obtained a single-state exemption under PUHCA 1935 from obtaining 
exemption under Sec.  366.5(b) of the Commission's regulations--which 
the narrative text of Order No. 667 plainly indicates should remain 
available to them.\47\
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    \46\ ConEd Rehearing Request at 1.
    \47\ Edison Rehearing Request at 2.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    28. In light of the comments of ConEd and Edison, we realize that 
there is confusion in Order No. 667's regulatory text with respect to 
the Commission's regulatory ``single state holding company system'' 
waiver pursuant to Sec.  366.3(c)(1) from the accounting, reporting and 
records retention requirements, and the separate statutory exemption 
under PUHCA 2005 section 1275(d) for ``holding company systems whose 
public utility operations are confined substantially to a single 
state.'' \48\ The confusion is compounded by the fact that we defined 
the term ``single state holding company system,'' which is relevant to 
the regulatory waiver pursuant to Sec.  366.3(c)(1), by reference to 
the language used in connection with the separate statutory exemption 
of PUHCA 2005 section

[[Page 28452]]

1275(d). In retrospect, this definition is unnecessary in light of 
other clarifications being made to the regulatory text, and we will 
therefore delete it from the regulations. Our intent in adopting the 
``single state holding company'' regulatory waiver of Sec.  366.3(c)(1) 
from the accounting, reporting and records retention requirements was 
to provide a waiver similar to the exemption provided by the SEC under 
section 3(a)(1) of PUHCA 1935 for ``a holding company and every 
subsidiary thereof which is a `public-utility company' '' if they were 
predominantly intrastate in character and carried on their business 
substantially in a single state in which the holding company and its 
subsidiaries were organized. Further, our intent was to adopt for this 
waiver the 13 percent test previously used by the SEC, i.e., we would 
consider an entity to be a single state holding company system if the 
holding company system derives no more than 13 percent of its ``public-
utility company'' revenues from outside a single state. However, we did 
not include this 13 percent test in the regulatory text. Accordingly, 
we will add to the ``single state holding company system'' regulatory 
waiver of Sec.  366.3(c)(1) specific regulatory text to reflect that a 
holding company system will be deemed to be single state holding 
company system for purposes of the waiver if it derives no more than 13 
percent of its ``public-utility company'' revenues from outside a 
single state.\49\
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    \48\ As we discuss further below, the regulatory waiver of 18 
CFR 366.3(c)(1) considers ''public-utility company'' revenues, while 
the statutory exemption of PUHCA 2005 section 1275(d) considers 
''public utility'' operations and revenues--and PUHCA 2005 and 
consequently our regulations define the two terms differently.
    \49\ If a holding company system has already filed for the 
regulatory waiver of 18 CFR 366.3(c)(1) using the 13 percent of 
''public utility'' revenues standard, it does not need to re-file, 
since it would automatically meet the broader ''public-utility 
company'' revenues standard.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    29. With respect to the separate PUHCA 2005 section 1275(d) 
statutory exemption, our intent was to use the 13 percent test but 
adapt it to reflect the specific language of section 1275. Section 1275 
clearly states that the exemption is to be for ``any company in a 
holding company system whose public utility operations are confined 
substantially to a single State * * *'' \50\ Thus, under section 
1275(d), if a holding company system has ``public utility'' operations 
(as opposed to ``public-utility company'' operations) confined 
substantially to a single state, then that holding company system or a 
state having jurisdiction over a ``public utility'' in that holding 
company system, may not obtain a Commission determination of service 
cost allocations pursuant to section 1275. Although the SEC's 13 
percent test was used by the SEC in the context of an exemption 
focusing on ``public-utility company'' operations rather than a 
narrower focus on ``public utility'' operations, we believe it is 
reasonable to use such a test for purposes of section 1275(d). Further, 
we believe we are constrained by the specific language of section 
1275(d) to confine the test to ``public-utility'' operations.
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    \50\ Emphasis added. Section 1275(a) provides that the term 
''public utility'' as used in section 1275 has the same meaning as 
in section 201(e) of the FPA. Thus, this section is narrowly focused 
on a subset of public-utility companies (i.e., focused on public 
utilities) and the ability of holding companies and states to obtain 
cost allocation determinations affecting public utilities and their 
customers under this provision. Where public utility operations are 
substantially confined to a single state, presumably a state 
commission would have sufficient ability to make such determinations 
and such determinations would not involve multi-state allocation 
issues among public utilities.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    30. Accordingly, we grant in part and deny in part the request to 
apply the 13 percent test to ``public-utility company'' operations.
    31. Additionally, as noted above, section 1275(d) of PUHCA 2005 
uses ``public utility'' as defined in section 201(e) of the FPA, which 
is ``any person who owns or operates facilities subject to the 
jurisdiction of the Commission under [Part II of the FPA]'' \51\ i.e., 
facilities used for the transmission of electric energy in interstate 
commerce or for sales of electric energy at wholesale in interstate 
commerce. For purposes of section 1275(d) of PUHCA 2005, this would 
include owners of ``paper facilities'' such as power marketers, as well 
as owners of actual physical facilities, such as owners of generation 
facilities.\52\ Because we realize there could be ambiguity in pinning 
down in which State a power marketer derives its revenues, we clarify 
that the Commission will rebuttably presume that a power marketer's 
sales (and thus its revenues) take place outside a single State. Should 
a company wish to rebut this presumption, it may request a declaratory 
order that the power marketer's sales take place within a single State. 
Barring such a declaratory order, the revenues of affiliated power 
marketers will be counted in determining whether the 13 percent 
threshold for out-of-state revenue is satisfied and thus whether an 
entity qualifies for the section 1275(d) statutory exemption.\53\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \51\ This definition would not include facilities that would be 
subject to Commission jurisdiction solely by reason of sections 
206(e) and (f), 210, 211, 211A, 212, 215, 216, 217, 218, 219, 220, 
221, or 222 of the FPA.
    \52\ See Order No. 667 at P 28 (holding that power marketers are 
not ''public-utility companies'' under PUHCA 2005, but are ''public 
utilities'' under the FPA).
    \53\ While, consistent with SEC precedent, we do not treat power 
marketers as ''electric utility companies'' and thus as ''public-
utility companies'' under PUHCA 2005, power marketers are considered 
to be ''public utilities'' and thus their revenues would be taken 
into account with respect to the section 1275(d) statutory exemption 
because that exemption focuses on ''public utility'' operations and 
revenues. Their revenues would not be taken into account with 
respect to the 18 CFR 366.3(c)(1) waiver, however, because that 
waiver focuses on ''public-utility company'' revenues.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    32. Finally, we take this opportunity to clarify that a holding 
company system seeking single-state holding company system waiver under 
Sec.  366.3(c)(1) of our regulations must sufficiently justify in its 
FERC-65B filing its claim that the holding company system meets the 13 
percent threshold for out-of-state revenues necessary to qualify as a 
single-state holding company system.
Exemptions and Waivers: Procedural Matters
    33. Finally, APPA/NRECA requests that Order No. 667 be amended to 
provide that no exemption or waiver of a holding company is effective 
except upon the issuance of an affirmative Commission order to that 
effect, rather than allowing a ``notification'' of exemption or waiver 
to become effective in 60 days upon Commission inaction.\54\ APPA/NRECA 
notes that there is no pre-existing body of Commission interpretation 
or precedent under PUHCA 2005 to guide interested parties and that 
timely development of Commission precedent under PUHCA 2005 may not 
occur with this procedure. Moreover, APPA/NRECA emphasizes that this 
procedure invites abuse by holding companies seeking unjustified 
exemptions or waivers, and Order No. 667 provides no remedies when an 
exemption or waiver is erroneously allowed to take effect. Finally, 
APPA/NRECA contends that this procedure threatens to frustrate PUHCA 
2005's central purpose, which is to prevent harm before it occurs, and 
signals a lax rather than vigorous approach to enforcement.\55\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \54\ APPA/NRECA Rehearing Request at 4.
    \55\ Id. at 19.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    34. We reject APPA/NRECA's request that Order No. 667 be amended to 
provide that no exemption or waiver is effective except upon the 
issuance of an affirmative Commission order to that effect. Section 
1266 of PUHCA 2005 does not require the Commission to adopt any 
specific procedures to implement the exemptions or waivers. Instead, 
section 1272(1) of PUHCA 2005 authorizes the Commission to issue

[[Page 28453]]

such regulations as it finds necessary or appropriate to implement 
PUHCA 2005. The Commission has had extensive experience in processing 
self-certifications and Commission certifications for QFs under PURPA 
as well as extensive experience processing EWGs within a statutory 
timeframe under the former section 32 of PUHCA 1935, and we believe an 
effective program of exemptions and waivers can be achieved with 
adequate protection of customers--through the process and deadlines we 
have established and the substantive provisions of the FPA and NGA.
    35. We further note that section 1266(a) of PUHCA 2005, in 
particular, is a mandatory exemption and that the Commission has no 
discretion to deny exemption to a person that is a holding company 
solely with respect to QFs, EWGs, or FUCOs.\56\ In fact, as discussed 
further below, the statute appears to contemplate an automatic 
exemption for such holding companies. Thus, any objections regarding 
status of the QFs, EWGs or FUCOs themselves are more appropriately 
addressed in, and can be addressed in, the underlying proceedings in 
which they seek to qualify for such status.\57\
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    \56\ Section 1266(a) of PUHCA 2005 directed the Commission to 
adopt a final rule, within 90 days of the effective date of PUHCA 
2005, exempting from section 1264 of PUHCA 2005 any person that is a 
holding company solely with respect to QFs, EWGs, or FUCOs.
    \57\ We take this opportunity to clarify that, with the 
elimination of Part 365, the filing fee provided for in 18 CFR 
381.801 for applications under Part 365 is no longer applicable. We 
will address revisions to our filing fee regulations in a separate 
proceeding.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    36. We clarify that persons that are holding companies with respect 
to QFs, EWGs, or FUCOs are automatically exempt from section 1266(b) 
and do not need to file a notification of holding company status or a 
FERC-65A. Other entities seeking exemption pursuant to section 1266(b) 
of PUHCA 2005 and Sec. Sec.  366.3(b) and 366.4(b) of the Commission's 
regulations, or waiver pursuant to Sec. Sec.  366.3(c) and 366.4(c) of 
the Commission's regulations, however, must file both a FERC-65 
(notification of holding company status) as well as a FERC-65A 
(exemption notification) or FERC-65B (waiver notification). These 
latter filings will be noticed in the Federal Register for public 
comment to allow interested persons the opportunity to raise objections 
with the Commission as to whether the holding company in fact qualifies 
for the claimed exemption or waiver.\58\ In addition, the Commission 
may toll the 60-day period if it concludes that further information is 
necessary to determine whether a person qualifies for the requested 
exemption or waiver.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \58\ Alternatively, we note that they may instead file a 
petition for declaratory order. That filing, too, would be noticed 
in the Federal Register for public comment.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    37. And what will now be Sec.  366.4(e) (formerly Sec.  366.4(d)) 
\59\ provides for revocation of an exemption or waiver should the 
person or company no longer qualify for such exemption or waiver. 
Indeed, if circumstances change such that a person or company no longer 
qualifies for exemption or waiver, or no longer conforms to the 
material facts or representations in its submittals to the Commission, 
it can no longer rely on such exemption or waiver.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \59\ The renumbering reflects the addition of a provision 
intended to address material changes in fact subsequent to a grant 
of exemption or waiver. As originally promulgated, the regulations 
did not address such changes.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

4. Allocation of Costs of Non-Power Goods or Services

    38. In Order No. 667, the Commission allowed centralized service 
companies to sell non-power goods and services to affiliated utilities 
using an ``at cost'' standard. There is a rebuttable presumption that 
such ``at cost'' sales for such non-power goods and services between a 
centralized service company and its affiliates are reasonable. Non-
power goods and services transactions between holding company 
affiliates other than centralized service companies, i.e., service 
companies that are special-purpose affiliates such as a fuel supply 
company or a construction company, continue to be subject to the 
Commission's lower of cost or market standard. Finally, rather than 
require the filing of individual cost allocation agreements, the 
Commission allowed service companies to provide such information in 
their annual Form No. 60 filings.
Allocation of Costs of Non-Power Goods or Services: Filing of 
Agreements
    39. APPA/NRECA requests rehearing of the Commission's decision not 
to require the filing of every individual cost allocation agreement 
between affiliated companies for the purchase of non-power goods and 
services. APPA/NRECA argues that there are two problems with relying on 
information submitted on Form No. 60. First, only traditional, 
centralized service companies are required to file a Form No. 60; 
special purpose service companies would not have to file a Form No. 60 
and could avoid scrutiny of their non-power goods and services 
transactions. Second, the information on a Form No. 60 is not 
sufficient to determine whether costs are just and reasonable. Without 
the filing of cost allocation agreements, APPA/NRECA assert that costs 
may be inappropriately shifted to consumers. Additionally, APPA/NRECA 
note that the filing burden associated with filing cost allocation 
agreements is minimal since the agreements already exist, and would 
merely have to be filed. Alternatively, even if the Commission does not 
require the filing of cost allocation agreements, it should clarify 
that Order No. 667 does not prejudge whether particular cost allocation 
agreements must be filed in a particular ratemaking proceeding.
    40. We disagree with APPA/NRECA that the Commission should require 
the filing of all non-power goods and services cost allocation 
agreements with the Commission. At this time, we believe the burden of 
formal filing for Commission review of every non-power goods and 
service cost allocation agreement far outweighs any benefit that would 
be gained from such filing and review. Importantly, though, the 
Commission retains the authority to require in particular instances the 
filing of such cost allocation agreement should it determine that doing 
so is necessary to protect ratepayers.\60\ In this regard, we retain 
our full authority under sections 4 and 5 of the NGA and sections 205 
and 206 of the FPA to protect customers. As we stated in Order No. 667:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \60\ Even if not required to be filed, such agreements also may 
be the subject of discovery in particular proceedings. See 18 CFR 
385.401-11, 385.504(b)(5).

    Furthermore, where appropriate, we will rely on our ratemaking 
authority to examine these agreements or require them to be filed on 
an as-needed basis to determine whether the regulated utility's 
purchases of non-power goods and services were prudently incurred 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
and just and reasonable.\61\

    41. We also disagree that the information provided on Form No. 60, 
in conjunction with information that would be available from exercise 
of other statutory authority, including audits, would be insufficient 
to ensure just and reasonable rates.\62\ Form No. 60 provides extensive 
information with comparatively little regulatory burden. And we agree 
with APPA/NRECA that the filing of Form No. 60 would not limit the 
Commission's ability to require additional information in a particular 
proceeding.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \61\ Order No. 667 at P 151.
    \62\ Id. at P 152.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    42. Finally, as we noted in Order No. 667, we will revisit the 
issue of whether Form No. 60 is sufficient to carry out our statutory 
duties at a future technical conference. While ``[i]t is neither

[[Page 28454]]

necessary nor appropriate to require the submission of additional forms 
at this time,'' we did ``not foreclose the possibility that additional 
filing requirements will later be found necessary.'' \63\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \63\ Id. at P 98.
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Allocation of Costs of Non-Power Goods or Services: Newly Created 
Service Companies
    43. Cinergy requests clarification that both existing and newly 
created centralized service companies will be permitted to use the at-
cost standard for sales of non-power goods and services. Specifically, 
paragraph 169 of Order No. 667 states that ``we will not require 
traditional, centralized service companies currently using the SEC's 
at-cost standard to comply with the Commission's market standard'' 
(emphasis added). If this is not what the Commission intended, Cinergy 
requests rehearing and asserts that no distinction should be made 
between an existing centralized service company and a newly-formed 
centralized service company. Cinergy adds that it expects to create 
such a new centralized service company, once its merger with Duke 
Energy is completed, that will offer centralized services to both 
companies.
    44. In response to Cinergy, it is the type of service company--not 
the date of its creation--that will govern whether the particular 
service company will be subject to an ``at cost'' or a ``lower of cost 
or market'' standard. Hence, we will not treat newly-formed centralized 
service companies differently merely because they are newly-formed; all 
centralized service companies will be subject to an ``at cost'' 
standard.
Allocation of Costs of Non-Power Goods or Services: Definition of 
``Service Company''
    45. ConEd requests clarification that only service companies that 
provide services to traditional utilities having cost-based rates 
should fall within the centralized service company category. ConEd 
notes that service companies may also provide services exclusively to 
generation or marketing affiliates that do not have cost-based rates. 
Since such generation and marketing affiliates typically sell power and 
energy at market-based rates, there is no need for the Commission to 
review the books and records of such a company. ConEd proposes 
modifying the definition of ``service company'' by substituting 
``public-utility company'' for ``public utility,'' so that the 
definition would read:

    The term ``service company'' means any associate company within 
a holding company system organized specifically for the purpose of 
providing non-power goods or services or the sale of goods or 
construction work to any public-utility company in the same holding 
company system.

    46. With respect to the definition of ``service company,'' since 
PUHCA 2005 is primarily a books and records access statute that assists 
us in assuring that jurisdictional rates are just and reasonable, we 
generally agree with ConEd that it should not be necessary for 
``service companies'' providing goods and services solely to generation 
or marketing affiliates that sell at market-based rates to follow the 
Uniform System of Accounts, as required of service companies that 
provide services to traditional utilities. Granting these entities a 
waiver would reduce the regulatory burden on service companies within a 
holding company system that are providing goods and services solely to 
entities selling at market-based rates. However, we believe that a 
blanket waiver for such service companies could be overly broad and 
potentially invite abuses.\64\ Instead, we will permit service 
companies providing goods and services solely to member companies that 
do not sell at cost-based rates to come to the Commission with case-
specific requests for waiver of our accounting requirements found in 
Sec.  366.22 and the requirement to file Form No. 60 in Sec.  366.23. 
Both Sec. Sec.  366.22 and 366.23 already state that service companies 
``otherwise exempted or granted a waiver by Commission rule or order'' 
are not required to comply with those portions of our regulations. A 
service company seeking such waiver should file a petition for 
declaratory order pursuant to Sec.  385.207(a) of our regulations 
justifying the request for waiver.\65\ Any service company seeking such 
waiver shall bear the burden of demonstrating that such an exemption is 
warranted.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \64\ We adopt this approach rather than ConEd's suggested 
modification to the definition of service company, since our 
regulatory concerns are with respect to allocation of costs to 
entities whose rates are regulated by the Commission under the FPA 
and NGA, i.e., public utilities and natural gas companies.
    \65\ See 18 CFR 385.207(a).
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Allocation of Costs of Non-Power Goods or Services: Special Purpose 
Service Companies
    47. APPA/NRECA argues that any bright-line distinction between 
special purpose service companies and traditional, centralized service 
companies may become blurred, and that the Commission should not create 
an incentive for companies to use one type of service company over 
another. Instead, the Commission should adopt one cost standard 
applicable to all service companies and that standard should be the 
market standard, and the Commission should set a date-certain when all 
service companies will use the market standard for all non-power goods 
and services transactions. Alternatively, the Commission should require 
all holding companies to file a notice and description of functions 
when creating any new service company and to file an annual report 
listing and describing all special-purpose service companies not 
required to file a Form No. 60.
    48. In response to APPA/NRECA's concerns that the Commission should 
adopt one standard for all service companies, a market standard, we 
found in Order No. 667 that centralized service companies and service 
companies that are special-purpose service companies should not be 
subject to the same standard. Rather, only the latter should be subject 
to a market standard.\66\ We are not persuaded that we should adopt a 
different approach on rehearing. The two types of service companies are 
different types of service companies, as we noted in Order No. 667, and 
it is appropriate to adopt a different standard for each. Special 
purpose service companies are different from centralized service 
companies in that they provide a discrete good or service, typically 
one for which a market price can be determined. This is in contrast to 
centralized service companies that provide a wide array of services 
(such as legal, accounting, human resources, and other administrative 
resources) for which establishing a market price may be difficult or 
even impossible.\67\ Sales of non-power goods and services from 
special-purpose service companies to public utility affiliates thus 
will continue to be governed by the Commission's existing market 
standard, while sales of non-power services from centralized service 
companies should be subject to an ``at cost'' standard.\68\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \66\ Order No. 667 at P 167-71.
    \67\ Id. at P 169.
    \68\ Id. at P 171; see also id. at P 171 n.178 (discussing the 
differences between service companies).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    49. We share APPA/NRECA's concern that the distinction between 
different types of service companies may become blurred over time, 
however. We will thus monitor the evolution of service companies and 
will reevaluate the application of the ``at cost'' standard as 
appropriate. We will require service companies that do not file Form 
No. 60 instead to file annually a narrative

[[Page 28455]]

description of their functions, to be identified as FERC-61. This will 
aid us in our monitoring of the evolution of service companies. 
Additionally, if a person has concerns that a particular service 
company is not following the appropriate rules, that person may file a 
complaint with the Commission. In complying with this new requirement, 
a holding company may make a single filing on behalf of all such 
service company subsidiaries.

5. Previously Authorized Activities

    50. MGTC contends that Order No. 667 is vague and ambiguous with 
respect to the continuing validity of prior determinations made by the 
SEC. MGTC notes that, in paragraph 200 of Order No. 667, the Commission 
acknowledged but does not resolve MGTC's request for clarification that 
a person found by the SEC not to be a gas utility company under PUHCA 
1935 would not be a natural gas company under PUHCA 2005. MGTC requests 
that the Commission grant clarification or rehearing, and confirm that 
prior status determinations by the SEC, such as that currently 
applicable to MGTC, remain valid.
    51. MGTC adds that, to the extent the Commission intended Order No. 
667 to establish a termination date of December 31, 2007 for prior SEC 
status determinations, without regard to whether the underlying facts 
are unchanged, the Commission should grant clarification or rehearing 
by amending Sec.  366.6 of its regulations to provide that the December 
31, 2007 sunset date with respect to the continuing validity of prior 
determinations and orders issued by the SEC is inapplicable to orders 
issued without expiration dates to individual entities finding that 
such entities are not subject to PUHCA 1935.
    52. We agree with MCTC that SEC determinations of status are not 
``sunsetted'' under this regulation and are distinct from the 
``authorizations'' addressed by the regulations. Moreover, while we are 
not necessarily bound by such SEC determinations, we expect to follow 
them generally but that changed facts or circumstances may warrant the 
Commission ultimately reconsidering and reaching a different 
conclusion.

6. Exempt Wholesale Generators and Foreign Utility Companies

    53. APPA/NRECA asserts that Order No. 667 should be amended to 
provide that no certification of EWGs or FUCOs becomes effective except 
upon the issuance of an affirmative Commission order to that effect, 
rather than allowing a notice of self-certification to become effective 
in 60 days upon Commission inaction.\69\ APPA/NRECA notes that the 
Order No. 667 reverses field from the NOPR and concludes that it can 
continue to certify EWGs and FUCOs despite the repeal of PUHCA 1935. 
APPA/NRECA contends that, given the past problems with QF self-
certifications, the Commission's adoption of that same procedure 
without any explanation is unjustified. APPA/NRECA further asserts 
that, if the Commission is uncertain whether it even still has the 
authority to continue certifying additional EWGs and FUCOs (an 
uncertainty evidenced by the NOPR), it makes no sense for the 
Commission to now adopt a procedure for their self-certification 
without Commission action.\70\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \69\ APPA/NRECA Rehearing Request at 4.
    \70\ Id. at 20.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    54. NRG requests that the Commission clarify whether EWGs can 
simply report activities that are incidental to the sale of electric 
energy at wholesale and that generate revenue through the self-
certification process in Sec.  366.7(a) of the Commission's regulations 
(without having to file a petition for declaratory order).\71\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \71\ NRG Rehearing Request at 2.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    55. We reject APPA/NRECA's request that we revise Order No. 667 to 
provide that EWG and FUCO certification will be effective only upon 
Commission order. In Order No. 667, balancing the facts that Congress 
repealed sections 32 and 33 of PUHCA 1935 in their entirety, yet PUHCA 
2005 still referred to sections 32 and 33 with respect to the meaning 
of EWGs and FUCOs, we concluded that it is reasonable to interpret 
PUHCA 2005 to allow entities to continue to obtain EWG and FUCO status 
under PUHCA 2005.\72\ APPA/NRECA has not demonstrated that the 
Commission's construction of the statute is impermissible. There is 
nothing in PUHCA 2005, however, that prescribes, or even addresses the 
procedures for obtaining EWG and FUCO status.\73\ And the procedure the 
Commission has adopted for EWGs and FUCOs is really no different than 
the procedures long used for QFs and even similar to the procedures 
employed for rate filings under section 205 of FPA and section 4 of the 
NGA\74\ and adopted for exemptions and waivers under PUHCA 2005.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \72\ Order No. 667 at P 225.
    \73\ Id. at P 229.
    \74\ Section 205 of the FPA and section 4 of the NGA allow for 
proposed rates to go into effect by operation of law if the 
Commission does not act within a particular timeframe: Typically 60 
days for filings pursuant to section 205 of the FPA; and typically 
30 days for filings pursuant to section 4 of the NGA.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    56. Moreover, while APPA/NRECA is concerned with the notion of 
self-certification generally, APPA/NRECA does not identity for us the 
particular problems with the Commission's self-certification procedure 
for QFs that concern it and that carry over to self-certification of 
EWG and FUCO status, and, in fact, the process for QFs has recently 
been reaffirmed.\75\ Unlike in the past with respect self-certification 
of QFs,\76\ the self-certifications of EWG and FUCO status will be 
noticed in the Federal Register, allowing interested persons an 
opportunity to object in particular cases should they find it 
appropriate to do so.\77\ This opportunity to object in particular 
cases should vitiate any remaining concerns that APPA/NRECA may have.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \75\ Order No. 671, FERC Stats. & Regs. ] 31,203 at P 78.
    \76\ We now issue, and publish in the Federal Register, notices 
of the filing of self-certifications for qualifying facility status 
by new cogeneration facilities. Id. at P 80.
    \77\ Order No. 667 at P 225.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    57. With respect to NRG's request for clarification, we note that 
Order No. 667 does not set forth a particular set of circumstances in 
which applicants must file a petition for declaratory order to obtain 
EWG or FUCO status. Accordingly, we clarify that persons seeking EWG 
status, in particular, may report activities that are incidental to the 
sale of electric energy at wholesale and that generate revenue through 
the self-certification process. However, we emphasize that, in all 
situations, it is incumbent upon persons seeking such status to 
determine, in light of existing Commission precedent, whether such 
incidental activities would cause the person to fail to satisfy the 
statutory criteria for EWG status. Furthermore, the Commission may, for 
example, toll the 60-day period to request additional information, or 
to allow for further consideration of the request (in which case the 
EWG status will not be deemed to have been granted after 60 days from 
the date of filing).

7. Cross-Subsidization and Encumbrances of Utility Assets

    58. APPA/NRECA argue that the Commission should adopt regulations 
to prohibit public utilities from providing financial support to the 
nonutility businesses of their parent holding companies and nonutility 
affiliates; the Commission's decision not to adopt such regulations, 
APPA/NRECA states, was unexplained and unjustified.\78\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \78\ APPA/NRECA Rehearing Request at 3.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 28456]]

    59. In Order No. 667, we noted that PUHCA 2005 is primarily a books 
and records access statute and does not give the Commission any new 
substantive authorities, other than the requirement in section 1275 of 
PUHCA 2005 that the Commission review and authorize certain non-power 
goods and services cost allocations among holding company members upon 
request. Nor does it give the Commission authority to pre-approve 
holding company activities. APPA/NRECA has presented no reason that 
persuades us that we have erred in this respect.\79\ Accordingly, we 
will deny its request for rehearing in this regard. If in the future we 
find that additional safeguards such as those suggested by APPA/NRECA 
are needed, we will take appropriate actions under our FPA and NGA 
authorities.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \79\ We further note that section 1289 of EPAct 2005 amended 
section 203 of the FPA to explicitly direct the Commission to 
consider the cross-subsidization issues raised by APPA/NRECA.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

8. Miscellaneous

    60. The Commission, in addition to the changes to the regulatory 
text to reflect the above discussion, takes this opportunity to make 
certain minor corrections as well as to provide further clarification 
and filing guidance: (1) The Commission will revise the regulations to 
provide, both as to exemptions and waivers, and as to EWG and FUCO 
status determinations, a process to deal with subsequent material 
changes in facts. (2) We clarify that the FERC-65, FERC-65A, and FERC-
65B filings and the notices of self-certification for EWG and QF status 
addressed in Sec.  366 must be subscribed, pursuant to Rule 2005(a) of 
the Rules of Practice and Procedure,\80\ but need not be verified.\81\ 
(3) The Commission has also included, in the regulations addressing EWG 
and FUCO determinations, references to provisions and obligations that 
applications might otherwise have mistakenly ignored, thus potentially 
delaying action on, and the effectiveness of, their filings for EWG and 
FUCO status. (4) If there are multiple holding companies within a 
single holding company system, the parent holding company may file on 
behalf of all the holding companies within the system the notification 
of holding company status so long as all relevant information is 
included. (5) All holding companies claiming an exemption or waiver 
must make a filing pursuant to Sec. Sec.  366.4(b) or (c), 
respectively,\82\ except persons that are holding companies with 
respect to EWGs, QFs, or FUCOs. The latter receive an automatic, self-
effectuating exemption and do not need to file a notification of status 
or a notice of exemption. (6) The Commission clarifies the difference 
between exemptions and waivers. If an entity receives an exemption, 
unless otherwise specified, it will be exempt from the entire 
subchapter--both the accounting and record retention requirements as 
well as the Commission's access on a case-specific basis under Sec.  
366.2 to whatever books and records the company maintains. If an entity 
receives a waiver, on the other hand, only the accounting and record 
retention requirements will be waived. Such company remains subject to 
the Commission's ability to obtain access to its books and records 
under Sec.  366.2 on a case-specific basis, however. (7) Any person 
that obtained EWG or FUCO status prior to February 8, 2006, does not 
need to re-apply under this subpart unless facts have changed which 
might affect its status.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \80\ 18 CFR 385.2005(a).
    \81\ See 18 CFR 385.2005(b).
    \82\ Holding companies that seek an exemption or waiver pursuant 
to 18 CFR 366.4(b) or (c) must also file a FERC-65, notification of 
holding company status. Particularly if the filings are to be e-
filed, however, the filings should be submitted to the Commission as 
separate filings rather than as a single filing.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    61. Finally, for the convenience of interested persons given the 
number and scope of the changes, so that the revised Sec.  366 
regulations are available in convenient form, the Commission has 
attached the revised Sec.  366 regulations in their entirety, rather 
than attaching just the changes.

9. Information Collection Statement

    62. The regulations of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 
\83\ require that OMB approve certain information requirements imposed 
by an agency. OMB has approved the information requirements contained 
in Order No. 667. Specifically, OMB approved the following information 
collections and assigned the corresponding OMB control numbers: 
Notification of Holding Company Status (FERC-65) (1902-0218); Exemption 
Notification (FERC-65A) (1902-0216); Waiver Notification (FERC-65B) 
(1902-0217) and Annual Report by Service Companies (Form No. 60) (1902-
0215).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \83\ 5 CFR 1320.12.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    63. This order on rehearing adopts a number of changes. Two of 
these are important with respect to information collection. First, as 
noted above, we will now exempt from information collection, i.e., from 
the need to file FERC-65 and FERC-65A, holding companies that hold only 
qualifying facilities, exempt wholesale generators, and foreign utility 
companies; such holding companies will not need to file FERC-65 and 
FERC-65A. Second, in response to the comments of APPA/NRECA, we will 
require service companies that do not file Form No. 60 instead to file 
annually a narrative description of their functions (which will be 
identified as FERC-61). We do not anticipate that this new requirement 
to file a narrative description will impose a significant burden on 
service companies, although the narrative description will necessarily 
vary in length for each company depending on the range of functions 
each company performs. Until the Commission has some experience with 
the administration of this latter requirement, it will be difficult to 
project how many companies need to respond to this requirement or the 
effort required to respond. Therefore, taking into account both 
changes, we will allow the original projected burden estimates 
expressed in Order No. 667 to stand. We will, however, adjust these 
burden estimates accordingly as we receive filings and we will notify 
OMB of any changes that may be necessary.
    64. Interested persons may obtain information on the information 
requirements by contacting the following: The Federal Energy Regulatory 
Commission, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426 [Attention: 
Michael Miller, Office of the Executive Director, ED-34], Phone: (202) 
502-8415, Fax: (202) 273-0873, e-mail: michael.miller@ferc.gov.
    65. To submit comments concerning the collection(s) of information 
and provide estimates on the associated burden, please send your 
comments to the contact listed above and to the Office of Management 
and Budget, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Washington, 
DC 20503 [Attention: Desk Officer for the Federal Energy Regulatory 
Commission], Phone: (202) 395-4650. Comments should be e-mailed to 
oira_submission@omb.eop.gov and reference the OMB Control numbers 

listed above.
    The Commission orders:
    Rehearing is hereby granted in part and denied in part, as 
discussed in the body of this order.

    By the Commission.
Magalie R. Salas,
Secretary.

List of Subjects in 18 CFR Part 366

    Electric power, Natural gas, Public utility holding companies and 
service companies, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, and Cost 
allocations.

0
In consideration of the foregoing, under the authority of EPAct 2005, 
the

[[Page 28457]]

Commission is amending part 366 in Chapter I of Title 18 of the Code of 
Federal Regulations, as set forth below:
0
 1. Subchapter U, consisting of part 366, is revised to read as 
follows:

Subchapter U--Regulations Under the Public Utility Holding Company Act 
of 2005

PART 366--PUBLIC UTILITY HOLDING COMPANY ACT OF 2005

Subpart A--PUHCA 2005 Definitions and Provisions
Sec.
366.1 Definitions.
366.2 Commission access to books and records.
366.3 Exemption from Commission access to books and records; waivers 
of accounting, record-retention, and reporting requirements.
366.4 FERC-65, notification of holding company status, FERC-65A, 
exemption notification, and FERC-65B, waiver notification.
366.5 Allocation of costs for non-power goods and services.
366.6 Previously authorized activities.
366.7 Procedures for obtaining exempt wholesale generator and 
foreign utility company status.
Subpart B--PUHCA 2005 Accounting and Recordkeeping
366.21 Accounts and records of holding companies.
366.22 Accounts and records of service companies.
366.23 FERC Form No. 60, annual report of service companies, and 
FERC-61, narrative description of service company functions.

    Authority: Pub. L. 109-58, 1261 et seq., 119 Stat. 594, 972 et 
seq.

Subpart A--PUHCA 2005 Definitions and Provisions

Sec.  366.1  Definitions.

    For purposes of this part:
    Affiliate. The term ``affiliate'' of a company means any company, 5 
percent or more of the outstanding voting securities of which are 
owned, controlled, or held with power to vote, directly or indirectly, 
by such company.
    Associate company. The term ``associate company'' of a company 
means any company in the same holding company system with such company.
    Commission. The term ``Commission'' means the Federal Energy 
Regulatory Commission.
    Company. The term ``company'' means a corporation, partnership, 
association, joint stock company, business trust, or any organized 
group of persons, whether incorporated or not, or a receiver, trustee, 
or other liquidating agent of any of the foregoing.
    Construction. The term ``construction'' means any construction, 
extension, improvement, maintenance, or repair of the facilities or any 
part thereof of a company, which is performed for a charge.
    Electric utility company. The term ``electric utility company'' 
means any company that owns or operates facilities used for the 
generation, transmission, or distribution of electric energy for sale. 
For the purposes of this subchapter, ``electric utility company'' shall 
not include persons that engage only in marketing of electric energy.
    Exempt wholesale generator. (1) The term ``exempt wholesale 
generator'' means any person engaged directly, or indirectly through 
one or more affiliates as defined in this subchapter, and exclusively 
in the business of owning or operating, or both owning and operating, 
all or part of one or more eligible facilities and selling electric 
energy at wholesale. For purposes of establishing or determining 
whether an entity qualifies for exempt wholesale generator status, 
sections 32(a)(2) through (4), and sections 32(b) through (d) of the 
Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935 (15 U.S.C. 79z-5a(a)(2)-(4), 
79z-5a(b)-(d)) shall apply.
    (2) An exempt wholesale generator shall not be subject to any 
requirements of this part other than Sec.  366.7, i.e., procedures for 
obtaining exempt wholesale generator status.
    Foreign utility company. (1) The term ``foreign utility company'' 
means any company that owns or operates facilities that are not located 
in any state and that are used for the generation, transmission, or 
distribution of electric energy for sale or the distribution at retail 
of natural or manufactured gas for heat, light, or power, if such 
company:
    (i) Derives no part of its income, directly or indirectly, from the 
generation, transmission, or distribution of electric energy for sale 
or the distribution at retail of natural or manufactured gas for heat, 
light, or power, within the United States; and
    (ii) Neither the company nor any of its subsidiary companies is a 
public-utility company operating in the United States.
    (2) A foreign utility company shall not be subject to any 
requirements of this part other than Sec.  366.7, i.e., procedures for 
obtaining foreign utility company status.
    Gas utility company. The term ``gas utility company'' means any 
company that owns or operates facilities used for distribution at 
retail (other than the distribution only in enclosed portable 
containers or distribution to tenants or employees of the company 
operating such facilities for their own use and not for resale) of 
natural or manufactured gas for heat, light, or power. For the purposes 
of this subchapter, ``gas utility company'' shall not include entities 
that engage only in marketing of natural and manufactured gas.
    Goods. The term ``goods'' means any goods, equipment (including 
machinery), materials, supplies, appliances, or similar property 
(including coal, oil, or steam, but not including electric energy, 
natural or manufactured gas, or utility assets) which is sold, leased, 
or furnished, for a charge.
    Holding company. (1) In general. The term ``holding company'' 
means--
    (i) Any company that directly or indirectly owns, controls, or 
holds, with power to vote, 10 percent or more of the outstanding voting 
securities of a public-utility company or of a holding company of any 
public-utility company; and
    (ii) Any person, determined by the Commission, after notice and 
opportunity for hearing, to exercise directly or indirectly (either 
alone or pursuant to an arrangement or understanding with one or more 
persons) such a controlling influence over the management or policies 
of any public-utility company or holding company as to make it 
necessary or appropriate for the rate protection of utility customers 
with respect to rates that such person be subject to the obligations, 
duties, and liabilities imposed by this subtitle upon holding 
companies.
    (2) Exclusions. The term ''holding company'' shall not include--
    (i) A bank, savings association, or trust company, or their 
operating subsidiaries that own, control, or hold, with the power to 
vote, public utility or public utility holding company securities so 
long as the securities are--
    (A) Held as collateral for a loan;
    (B) Held in the ordinary course of business as a fiduciary; or
    (C) Acquired solely for purposes of liquidation and in connection 
with a loan previously contracted for and owned beneficially for a 
period of not more than two years; or
    (ii) A broker or dealer that owns, controls, or holds with the 
power to vote public utility or public utility holding company 
securities so long as the securities are--
    (A) Not beneficially owned by the broker or dealer and are subject 
to any voting instructions which may be given by customers or their 
assigns; or
    (B) Acquired in the ordinary course of business as a broker, 
dealer, or underwriter with the bona fide intention of effecting 
distribution within 12 months of the specific securities so acquired.

[[Page 28458]]

    Holding company system. The term ``holding company system'' means a 
holding company, together with its subsidiary companies.
    Jurisdictional rates. The term ``jurisdictional rates'' means rates 
accepted, established or permitted by the Commission for the 
transmission of electric energy in interstate commerce, the sale of 
electric energy at wholesale in interstate commerce, the transportation 
of natural gas in interstate commerce, and the sale in interstate 
commerce of natural gas for resale for ultimate public consumption for 
domestic, commercial, industrial, or any other use.
    Natural gas company. The term ``natural gas company'' means a 
person engaged in the transportation of natural gas in interstate 
commerce or the sale of such gas in interstate commerce for resale.
    Person. The term ``person'' means an individual or company.
    Public utility. The term ``public utility'' means any person who 
owns or operates facilities used for transmission of electric energy in 
interstate commerce or sales of electric energy at wholesale in 
interstate commerce.
    Public-utility company. The term ``public-utility company'' means 
an electric utility company or a gas utility company. For the purposes 
of this subchapter, the owner-lessors and owner participants in lease 
financing transactions involving utility assets shall not be treated as 
``public-utility companies.''
    Service. The term ``service'' means any managerial, financial, 
legal, engineering, purchasing, marketing, auditing, statistical, 
advertising, publicity, tax, research, or any other service (including 
supervision or negotiation of construction or of sales), information or 
data, which is sold or furnished for a charge.
    Service company. The term ``service company'' means any associate 
company within a holding company system organized specifically for the 
purpose of providing non-power goods or services or the sale of goods 
or construction work to any public utility in the same holding company 
system.
    State commission. The term ``state commission'' means any 
commission, board, agency, or officer, by whatever name designated, of 
a state, municipality, or other political subdivision of a state that, 
under the laws of such state, has jurisdiction to regulate public-
utility companies.
    Subsidiary company. The term ``subsidiary company'' of a holding 
company means--
    (1) Any company, 10 percent or more of the outstanding voting 
securities of which are directly or indirectly owned, controlled, or 
held with power to vote, by such holding company; and
    (2) Any person, the management or policies of which the Commission, 
after notice and opportunity for hearing, determines to be subject to a 
controlling influence, directly or indirectly, by such holding company 
(either alone or pursuant to an arrangement or understanding with one 
or more other persons) so as to make it necessary for the rate 
protection of utility customers with respect to rates that such person 
be subject to the obligations, duties, and liabilities imposed by this 
subtitle upon subsidiary companies of holding companies.
    Voting security. The term ``voting security'' means any security 
presently entitling the owner or holder thereof to vote in the 
direction or management of the affairs of a company. For the purposes 
of this subchapter, the term ``voting security'' shall not include 
member interests in electric power cooperatives.

Sec.  366.2  Commission access to books and records.

    (a) In general. Unless otherwise exempted by Commission rule or 
order, each holding company and each associate company thereof shall 
maintain, and shall make available to the Commission, such books, 
accounts, memoranda, and other records as the Commission determines are 
relevant to costs incurred by a public utility or natural gas company 
that is an associate company of such holding company and necessary or 
appropriate for the protection of utility customers with respect to 
jurisdictional rates. However, for purposes of this subchapter, no 
provision in the subchapter shall apply to or be deemed to include:
    (1) The United States;
    (2) A state or political subdivision of a state;
    (3) Any foreign governmental authority not operating in the United 
States;
    (4) Any agency, authority, or instrumentality of any entity 
referred to in paragraphs (a)(1), (2), or (3) of this section; or
    (5) Any officer, agent, or employee of any entity referred to in 
paragraphs (a)(1), (2), (3), or (4) of this section as such in the 
course of his or her official duty.
    (b) Affiliate companies. Unless otherwise exempted by Commission 
rule or order, each affiliate of a holding company or of any subsidiary 
company of a holding company shall maintain, and shall make available 
to the Commission, such books, accounts, memoranda, and other records 
with respect to any transaction with another affiliate, as the 
Commission determines are relevant to costs incurred by a public 
utility or natural gas company that is an associate company of such 
holding company and necessary or appropriate for the protection of 
utility customers with respect to jurisdictional rates.
    (c) Holding company systems. The Commission may examine the books, 
accounts, memoranda, and other records of any company in a holding 
company system, or any affiliate thereof, as the Commission determines 
are relevant to costs incurred by a public utility or natural gas 
company within such holding company system and necessary or appropriate 
for the protection of utility customers with respect to jurisdictional 
rates.
    (d) Confidentiality. No member, officer, or employee of the 
Commission shall divulge any fact or information that may come to his 
or her knowledge during the course of examination of books, accounts, 
memoranda, or other records as provided in this section, except as may 
be directed by the Commission or by a court of competent jurisdiction.

Sec.  366.3  Exemption from Commission access to books and records; 
waivers of accounting, record-retention, and reporting requirements.

    (a) Exempt classes of entities. Any person that is a holding 
company solely with respect to one or more of the following will be 
exempt from the requirements of Sec.  366.2 and the accounting, record-
retention, and reporting requirements of Sec. Sec.  366.21, 366.22, and 
366.23; such person need not make the filings provided in Sec.  
366.4(a) or (b):
    (1) Qualifying facilities under the Public Utility Regulatory 
Policies Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 2601 et seq.);
    (2) Exempt wholesale generators; or
    (3) Foreign utility companies.
    (b) Exemptions of additional persons and classes of transactions--
(1) Commission authority to exempt additional persons and classes of 
transactions. The Commission shall exempt a person or class of 
transactions from the requirements of Sec.  366.2 and the accounting, 
record-retention, and reporting requirements of Sec. Sec.  366.21, 
366.22, and 366.23 if, upon individual application or upon the motion 
of the Commission--
    (i) The Commission finds that the books, accounts, memoranda, and 
other records of any person are not relevant to

[[Page 28459]]

the jurisdictional rates of a public utility or natural gas company; or
    (ii) The Commission finds that any class of transactions is not 
relevant to the jurisdictional rates of a public utility or natural gas 
company.
    (2) Commission exemption of additional persons and classes of 
transactions. The Commission has determined that the following persons 
and classes of transactions satisfy the requirements of paragraph 
(b)(1) of this section, and any person that is a holding company solely 
with respect to one or more of the following may file to obtain an 
exemption for that person or class of transactions, as appropriate, 
from the requirements of Sec.  366.2 and the accounting, record-
retention, and reporting requirements of Sec. Sec.  366.21, 366.22, and 
366.23, pursuant to the notification procedure contained in Sec.  
366.4(b):
    (i) Passive investors, so long as the ownership remains passive, 
including:
    (A) Mutual funds,
    (B) Collective investment vehicles whose assets are managed by 
banks, savings and loan associations and their operating subsidiaries, 
or brokers/dealers; and
    (C) Persons that directly, or indirectly through their subsidiaries 
or affiliates, buy and sell the securities of public-utility companies 
in the ordinary course of business as a broker/dealer, underwriter or 
fiduciary, and not exercising operational control over such companies;
    (ii) Commission-jurisdictional utilities that have no captive 
customers and that are not affiliated with any jurisdictional utility 
that has captive customers, and that do not own Commission-
jurisdictional transmission facilities or provide Commission-
jurisdictional transmission services and that are not affiliated with 
persons that own Commission-jurisdictional transmission facilities or 
provide Commission-jurisdictional transmission services, and holding 
companies that own or control only such utilities;
    (iii) Transactions where the holding company affirmatively 
certifies on behalf of itself and its subsidiaries, as applicable, that 
it will not charge, bill or allocate to the public utility or natural 
gas company in its holding company system any costs or expenses in 
connection with goods and services transactions, and will not engage in 
financing transactions with any such public utility or natural gas 
company;
    (iv) Transactions between or among affiliates that are independent 
of and do not include a public utility or natural gas company;
    (v) Electric power cooperatives;
    (vi) Local distribution companies that are not regulated as 
``natural gas companies'' pursuant to sections 1(b) or 1(c) of the 
Natural Gas Act, (15 U.S.C. 717(b), (c)).
    (c) Waivers. Any person that is a holding company solely with 
respect to one or more of the following may file to obtain a waiver of 
the accounting, record-retention, and reporting requirements of 
Sec. Sec.  366.21, 366.22, and 366.23, pursuant to the notification 
procedures contained in Sec.  366.4(c):
    (1) Single-state holding company systems; for purposes of Sec.  
366.3(c)(1), a holding company system will be deemed to be a single-
state holding company system if the holding company system derives no 
more than 13 percent of its public-utility company revenues from 
outside a single state;
    (2) Holding companies that own generating facilities that total 100 
MW or less in size and are used fundamentally for their own load or for 
sales to affiliated end-users; or
    (3) Investors in independent transmission-only companies.
    (d) Other requests for exemptions and waivers. Any person seeking 
an exemption or waiver that is not covered by paragraphs (a), (b)(2) or 
(c) of this section, shall file a petition for declaratory order 
pursuant to Sec.  385.207(a) of this chapter justifying the request for 
exemption or waiver. Any person seeking such an exemption or waiver 
shall bear the burden of demonstrating that such an exemption or waiver 
is warranted.
    (e) Nothing in paragraphs (a)-(d) of this section shall affect the 
authority of the Commission under the Federal Power Act (16 U.S.C. 791 
et seq.), the Natural Gas Act (15 U.S.C. 717 et seq.), or other 
applicable law, including the authority of the Commission with respect 
to rates, charges, classifications, rules, regulations, practices, 
contracts, facilities, and services under the Federal Power Act and 
Natural Gas Act and with respect to access to books and records under 
the Federal Power Act and Natural Gas Act.

Sec.  366.4  FERC-65, notification of holding company status, FERC-65A, 
exemption notification, and FERC-65B, waiver notification.

    (a) Notification of holding company status--(1) Persons that meet 
the definition of a holding company as provided by Sec.  366.1 as of 
February 8, 2006 shall notify the Commission of their status as a 
holding company no later than June 15, 2006. Holding companies formed 
after February 8, 2006 shall notify the Commission of their status as a 
holding company, no later than the later of June 15, 2006 or 30 days 
after they become holding companies.
    (2) The notification required pursuant to Sec.  366.4(a)(1) shall 
be made by submitting FERC-65 (notification of holding company status), 
which shall contain the following: The identity of the holding company 
and of the public utilities and natural gas companies in the holding 
company system; the identity of service companies, including special-
purpose subsidiaries providing non-power goods and services; the 
identity of all affiliates and subsidiaries; and their corporate 
relationship to each other. This filing will be for informational 
purposes and will not be noticed in the Federal Register, but will be 
available on the Commission's Web site. FERC-65 must be subscribed, 
consistent with Sec.  385.2005(a) of this chapter, but need not be 
verified.
    (3) Notwithstanding Sec.  366.4(a)(1) and (2), holding companies 
that are exempt holding companies pursuant to Sec.  366.3(a) are not 
required to notify the Commission of their status or to submit FERC-65 
(notification of holding company status).
    (b) FERC-65A (exemption notification) and petitions for exemption. 
(1) Persons that, pursuant to Sec.  366.3(b)(2), seek exemption from 
the requirements of Sec.  366.2 and the accounting, record-retention, 
and reporting requirements of Sec. Sec.  366.21, 366.22, and 366.23, 
may seek such exemption by filing FERC-65A (exemption notification); 
FERC-65A must be subscribed, consistent with Sec.  385.2005(a) of this 
chapter, but need not be verified. These filings will be noticed in the 
Federal Register; persons that file FERC-65A must include a form of 
notice suitable for publication in the Federal Register in accordance 
with the specifications in Sec.  385.203(d) of this chapter. Persons 
that file FERC-65A in good faith shall be deemed to have a temporary 
exemption upon filing. If the Commission has taken no action within 60 
days after the date of filing FERC-65A, the exemption shall be deemed 
to have been granted. The Commission may toll the 60-day period to 
request additional information or for further consideration of the 
request; in such case, the claim for exemption will remain temporary 
until such time as the Commission has determined whether to grant or 
deny the exemption. Authority to toll the 60-day period is delegated to 
the Secretary or the Secretary's designee, and authority to act on 
uncontested FERC-65A filings is delegated to the Director of the Office 
of Energy Markets and Reliability, or its successor, or the Director's 
designee.

[[Page 28460]]

    (2) Notwithstanding Sec.  366.4(b)(1), persons that are exempt 
holding companies pursuant to Sec.  366.3(a) are not required to file 
FERC-65A (exemption notification).
    (3) Persons that do not qualify for exemption pursuant to Sec.  
366.3(b)(2) may seek an individual exemption from this subchapter. They 
may not do so by means of filing FERC-65A and instead must file a 
petition for declaratory order as required under Sec.  366.3(d). Such 
petitions will be noticed in the Federal Register; persons that file a 
petition must include a form of notice suitable for publication in the 
Federal Register in accordance with the specifications in Sec.  
385.203(d) of this chapter. No temporary exemption will attach upon 
filing and the requested exemption will be effective only if approved 
by the Commission. Persons may also seek exemptions for classes of 
transactions by filing a petition for declaratory order pursuant to 
Sec.  385.207(a) of this chapter justifying the request for exemption. 
Any person seeking such an exemption shall bear the burden of 
demonstrating that such exemption is warranted.
    (c) FERC-65B (waiver notification) and petitions for waiver. (1) 
Persons that, pursuant to Sec.  366.3(c), seek waiver of the 
accounting, record-retention, and reporting requirements of Sec. Sec.  
366.21, 366.22, and 366.23, may seek such waiver by filing FERC-65B 
(waiver notification); FERC-65B must be subscribed, consistent with 
Sec.  385.2005(a) of this chapter, but need not be verified. FERC-65B 
will be noticed in the Federal Register; persons that file FERC-65B 
must include a form of notice suitable for publication in the Federal 
Register in accordance with the specifications in Sec.  385.203(d) of 
this chapter. Persons that file FERC-65B in good faith shall be deemed 
to have a temporary exemption upon filing. If the Commission has taken 
no action within 60 days after the date of filing of FERC-65B, the 
waiver shall be deemed to have been granted. The Commission may toll 
the 60-day period to request additional information or for further 
consideration of the request; in such case, the waiver will remain 
temporary until such time as the Commission has determined whether to 
grant or deny the waiver. Authority to toll the 60-day period is 
delegated to the Secretary or the Secretary's designee, and authority 
to act on uncontested FERC-65B filings is delegated to the Director of 
the Office of Energy Markets and Reliability, or its successor, or the 
Director's designee.
    (2) Persons that do not qualify for waiver pursuant to Sec.  
366.3(c) may seek an individual waiver from this subchapter. They may 
not do so by means of filing FERC-65B and instead must file a petition 
for declaratory order as required under Sec.  366.3(d). Such petitions 
will be noticed in the Federal Register; persons that file a petition 
must include a form of notice suitable for publication in the Federal 
Register in accordance with the specifications in Sec.  385.203(d) of 
this chapter. No temporary waiver will attach upon filing and the 
requested exemption will be effective only if approved by the 
Commission. Persons may also seek waivers for classes of transactions 
by filing a petition for declaratory order pursuant to Sec.  385.207(a) 
of this chapter justifying the request for waiver. Any person seeking 
such waiver shall bear the burden of demonstrating that such waiver is 
warranted.
    (d) Procedure for notification of material change in facts. (1) If 
there is any material change in facts that may affect an exemption or 
waiver granted pursuant to paragraphs (b) or (c) of this section, the 
person receiving the exemption or waiver shall within 30 days of the 
material change in facts:
    (i) Submit a new FERC-65A (exemption notification) or FERC-65B 
(waiver notification) or a petition for declaratory order, pursuant to 
paragraphs (b) or (c) of this section, as appropriate;
    (ii) File a written explanation why the material change in facts 
does not affect the exemption or waiver; or
    (iii) Notify the Commission that it no longer seeks to maintain its 
exemption or waiver.
    (2) If there is a material change in facts that may affect the 
automatic exemption allowed under Sec.  366.3(a) of this subpart, the 
person receiving the exemption or waiver shall within 30 days of the 
material change in facts:
    (i) Submit a FERC-65A (exemption notification) or FERC-65B (waiver 
notification) or a petition for declaratory order, pursuant to 
paragraphs (b) or (c) of this section, as appropriate;
    (ii) File a written explanation why the material change in facts 
does not affect the exemption; or
    (iii) Notify the Commission that it no longer seeks to maintain its 
exemption.
    (e) Revocation of exemption or waiver. (1) If a person that is 
exempt pursuant to Sec.  366.3(a) fails to conform to the criteria for 
such exemption, or if a person that has been granted an exemption or 
waiver pursuant to paragraphs (b) or (c) of this section either fails 
to conform to the criteria for such exemption or waiver or fails to 
conform with any material facts or representations presented in its 
submittals to the Commission, such person may no longer rely upon the 
exemption or waiver.
    (2) The Commission may, on its own motion or on the complaint of 
any person, revoke the exemption or waiver granted under Sec.  366.3(a) 
or paragraphs (b) or (c) of this section, if the person fails to 
conform to any of the criteria under this part for exemption or waiver.

Sec.  366.5  Allocation of costs for non-power goods and services.

    (a) Commission review. In the case of non-power goods or 
administrative or management services provided by an associate company 
organized specifically for the purpose of providing such goods or 
services to any public utility in the same holding company system, at 
the election of that holding company system or a state commission 
having jurisdiction over the public utility, the Commission shall 
review and authorize the allocation of the costs for such goods or 
services to the extent relevant to that associate company. Such 
election to have the Commission review and authorize cost allocations 
shall remain in effect until further Commission order.
    (b) Exemptions. Paragraph (a) of this section shall not apply to 
any holding company system whose public utility operations are confined 
substantially to a single state. For purposes of this section, a 
holding company system will be deemed to have its public utility 
operations confined substantially to a single state if the holding 
company system derives no more than 13 percent of its public utility 
revenues from outside a single state. A holding company system or state 
commission may, pursuant to this subsection, seek a Commission 
determination that a holding company's public utility operations are 
confined substantially to a single state by filing a petition for 
declaratory order pursuant to Sec.  385.207(a) of this chapter. Any 
holding company system or state commission seeking such a determination 
shall bear the burden of demonstrating that such determination is 
warranted.
    (c) Other classes of transactions. Either upon petition for 
declaratory order or upon its own motion, the Commission may exclude 
from the scope of Commission review and authorization under paragraph 
(a) of this section any class of transactions that the Commission finds 
is not relevant to the jurisdictional rates of a public utility. Any 
holding company system or state commission seeking to obtain such a 
determination under this subsection shall file a petition for 
declaratory order pursuant to Sec.  385.207(a) of this chapter.

[[Page 28461]]

Any holding company system or state commission seeking such an 
exemption shall bear the burden of demonstrating that such an exemption 
is warranted.
    (d) Nothing in paragraphs (a)-(c) of this section shall affect the 
authority of the Commission under the Federal Power Act (16 U.S.C. 791 
et seq.), the Natural Gas Act (15 U.S.C. 717 et seq.), or other 
applicable law, including the authority of the Commission with respect 
to rates, charges, classifications, rules, regulations, practices, 
contracts, facilities, and services under the Federal Power Act and 
Natural Gas Act, and with respect to access to books and records under 
the Federal Power Act and Natural Gas Act.

Sec.  366.6  Previously authorized activities.

    (a) General. Unless otherwise provided by Commission rule or order, 
a person may continue to engage in activities or transactions 
authorized under the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935 prior 
to the effective date of the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 
2005, February 8, 2006, until the later of the date such authorization 
expires or December 31, 2007, so long as that person continues to 
comply with the terms of such authorization. If any such activities or 
transactions are challenged in a formal Commission proceeding, the 
person claiming prior authorization shall be required to provide at 
that time the full text of any such authorization (whether by rule, 
order, or letter) and the application(s) or pleading(s) underlying such 
authorization (whether by rule, order, or letter).
    (b) Financing Authorizations. Holding companies that intend to rely 
on financing authorization orders or letters issued by the Securities 
and Exchange Commission must file these orders or letters with the 
Commission within 30 days after the effective date of the Public 
Utility Holding Company Act of 2005, February 8, 2006; any reports or 
other submissions that, pursuant to such financing authorizations, 
previously were filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission must 
instead be filed with the Commission, effective February 8, 2006. For 
the purposes of this section, compliance with the terms of such 
financing authorizations includes the requirement to notify the 
Commission of any financing transactions that a holding company engages 
in pursuant to such financing authorization.

Sec.  366.7  Procedures for obtaining exempt wholesale generator and 
foreign utility company status.

    (a) Self-certification notice procedure. An exempt wholesale 
generator or a foreign utility company, or its representative, may file 
with the Commission a notice of self-certification demonstrating that 
it satisfies the definition of exempt wholesale generator or foreign 
utility company (including stating the location of its generation); 
such notices of self-certification must be subscribed, consistent with 
Sec.  385.2005(a) of this chapter, but need not be verified. In the 
case of exempt wholesale generators, the person filing a notice of 
self-certification under this section must also file a copy of the 
notice of self-certification with the state regulatory authority of the 
state in which the facility is located, and that person must also 
represent to this Commission in its submittal with this Commission that 
it has filed a copy of the notice of self-certification with the state 
regulatory authority of the state in which the facility is located. 
Notice of the filing of a notice of self-certification will be 
published in the Federal Register. Persons that file a notice of self-
certification must include a form of notice suitable for publication in 
the Federal Register in accordance with the specifications in Sec.  
385.203(d) of this chapter. A person filing a notice of self-
certification in good faith will be deemed to have temporary exempt 
wholesale generator or foreign utility company status. If the 
Commission takes no action within 60 days from the date of filing of 
the notice of self-certification, the self-certification shall be 
deemed to have been granted; however, consistent with section 32(c) of 
the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935 (15 U.S.C. 79z-5a(c)) 
and section 33(a)(2) of the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935 
(15 U.S.C. 79z-5b(a)(2)), any self-certification may not become 
effective until the relevant state commissions have made the 
determinations and certifications provided for therein (if such 
determinations or certifications are not necessary, the notice of self-
certification should state so). The Commission may toll the 60-day 
period to request additional information, or for further consideration 
of the request; in such cases, the person's exempt wholesale generator 
or foreign utility company status will remain temporary until such time 
as the Commission has determined whether to grant or deny exempt 
wholesale generator or foreign utility company status; however, 
consistent with section 32(c) of the Public Utility Holding Company Act 
of 1935 (15 U.S.C. 79z-5a (c)) and section 33(a)(2) of the Public 
Utility Holding Company Act of 1935 (15 U.S.C. 79z-5b(a)(2)), any self-
certification may not become effective until the relevant state 
commissions have made the determinations and certifications provided 
for therein. Authority to toll the 60-day period is delegated to the 
Secretary or the Secretary's designee, and authority to act on 
uncontested notices of self-certification is delegated to the General 
Counsel or the General Counsel's designee.
    (b) Optional procedure for Commission determination of exempt 
wholesale generator status or foreign utility company status. A person 
may file for a Commission determination of exempt wholesale generator 
status or foreign utility company status under Sec.  366.1 by filing a 
petition for declaratory order pursuant to Sec.  385.207(a) of this 
chapter, justifying the request for such status; however, consistent 
with section 32(c) of the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935 
(15 U.S.C. 79z-5a (c)) and section 33(a)(2) of the Public Utility 
Holding Company Act of 1935 (15 U.S.C. 79z-5b(a)(2)), a Commission 
determination of exempt wholesale generator status or foreign utility 
company status may not become effective until the relevant state 
commissions have made the determinations and certifications provided 
for therein. (If such determinations or certifications are not 
necessary, the petition for declaratory order should state so.) Persons 
that file petitions must include a form of notice suitable for 
publication in the Federal Register in accordance with the 
specifications in Sec.  385.203(d) of this chapter.
    (c) Procedure for notification of material change in facts. If 
there is any material change in facts that may affect an exempt 
wholesale generator's or a foreign utility company's status as an 
exempt wholesale generator or a foreign utility company, the exempt 
wholesale generator or foreign utility company shall within 30 days of 
the material change in facts:
    (1) Submit a new notice of self-certification or a new petition for 
declaratory order, pursuant to paragraphs (a) or (b) of this section, 
as appropriate;
    (2) File a written explanation why the material change in facts 
does not affect its status; or
    (3) Notify the Commission that it no longer seeks to maintain its 
exempt wholesale generator or foreign utility company status.
    (d) Revocation of status. (1) If an exempt wholesale generator or a 
foreign

[[Page 28462]]

utility company fails to conform to the criteria for such status or 
fails to conform with any material facts or representations presented 
in its submittals to the Commission, the notice of self-certification 
of the status of the facility or Commission order certifying the status 
of the facility may no longer be relied upon.
    (2) The Commission may, on its own motion or on the complaint of 
any person, revoke the status of a facility or company, if the facility 
or company fails to conform to any of the criteria under this part for 
such status.

Subpart B--PUHCA 2005 Accounting and Recordkeeping

Sec.  366.21  Accounts and records of holding companies.

    (a) General. Unless otherwise exempted or granted a waiver by 
Commission rule or order pursuant to Sec. Sec.  366.3 and 366.4, every 
holding company shall maintain and make available to the Commission 
books, accounts, memoranda, and other records of all of its 
transactions in sufficient detail to permit examination, audit and 
verification of the financial statements, schedules and reports either 
required to be filed with the Commission or issued to stockholders, as 
necessary and appropriate for the protection of utility customers with 
respect to jurisdictional rates.
    (b) Unless otherwise exempted or granted a waiver by Commission 
rule or order pursuant to Sec. Sec.  366.3 and 366.4, beginning January 
1, 2007, all holding companies must comply with the Commission's 
record-retention requirements for public utilities and licensees or for 
natural gas companies, as appropriate (parts 125 and 225 of this 
chapter). Until December 31, 2006, holding companies registered under 
the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935 (15 U.S.C. 79a et seq.) 
may follow either the Commission's record-retention rules for public 
utilities and licensees or for natural gas companies, as appropriate 
(parts 125 and 225 of this chapter), or the Security and Exchange 
Commission's record-retention rules in 17 CFR part 257.
    (c) Nothing in this section shall relieve any company subject 
thereto from compliance with the requirements as to recordkeeping and 
record-retention that may be prescribed by any other regulatory agency.

Sec.  366.22  Accounts and records of service companies.

    (a) Record-retention requirements.--(1) General. Unless otherwise 
exempted or granted a waiver by Commission rule or order pursuant to 
Sec. Sec.  366.3 and 366.4, beginning January 1, 2007, every service 
company shall maintain and make available to the Commission such books, 
accounts, memoranda, and other records in such manner, and preserve 
them for such periods as the Commission prescribes in parts 125 and 225 
of this chapter, in sufficient detail to permit examination, audit, and 
verification, as necessary and appropriate for the protection of 
utility customers with respect to jurisdictional rates.
    (2) Transition period. Until December 31, 2006, service companies 
in holding company systems registered under the Public Utility Holding 
Company Act of 1935 (15 U.S.C. 79a et seq.) may follow either the 
Commission's record-retention requirements in parts 125 and 225 of this 
chapter or the Securities and Exchange Commission's record-retention 
rules in 17 CFR part 257.
    (3) Nothing in this section shall relieve any service company 
subject thereto from compliance with requirements as to record-
retention that may be prescribed by any other regulatory agency.
    (b) Accounting requirements.--(1) General. Unless otherwise 
exempted or granted a waiver by Commission rule or order pursuant to 
Sec. Sec.  366.3 and 366.4, beginning January 1, 2007, every service 
company that is not a special-purpose company (e.g., a fuel supply 
company or a construction company) shall maintain and make available to 
the Commission such books, accounts, memoranda, and other records as 
the Commission prescribes in parts 101 and 201 of this chapter, in 
sufficient detail to permit examination, audit, and verification, as 
necessary and appropriate for the protection of utility customers with 
respect to jurisdictional rates. Every such service company shall 
maintain and make available such books, accounts, memoranda, and other 
records in such manner as are prescribed in parts 101 and 201 of this 
chapter, and shall keep no other records with respect to the same 
subject matter except:
    (i) Records other than accounts;
    (ii) Records required by federal or state law;
    (iii) Subaccounts or supporting accounts which are not inconsistent 
with the accounts required either by the Uniform System of Accounts in 
parts 101 and 201 of this chapter; and
    (iv) Such other accounts as may be authorized by the Commission.
    (2) Transition period. Until December 31, 2006, service companies 
in holding company systems registered under the Public Utility Holding 
Company Act of 1935 (15 U.S.C. 79a et seq.), as described in paragraph 
(b)(1) of this section, may follow either the Commission's Uniform 
System of Accounts in parts 101 and 201 of this chapter or the 
Securities and Exchange Commission's Uniform System of Accounts in 17 
CFR part 256.
    (3) Nothing in this section shall relieve any service company 
subject thereto from compliance with requirements as to accounting that 
may be prescribed by any other regulatory agency.

Sec.  366.23  FERC Form No. 60, annual report of service companies, and 
FERC-61, narrative description of service company functions.

    (a) General.--(1) FERC Form No. 60. Unless otherwise exempted or 
granted a waiver by Commission rule or order pursuant to Sec. Sec.  
366.3 and 366.4, every service company in a holding company system that 
is not a special-purpose company (e.g., a fuel supply company or a 
construction company) shall file with the Commission by May 1, 2006 and 
by May 1 each year thereafter, a report, FERC Form No. 60, for the 
prior calendar year. Every such report shall be submitted on the FERC 
Form No. 60 then in effect and shall be prepared in accordance with the 
instructions incorporated in such form.
    (2) FERC-61. Unless otherwise exempted or granted a waiver by 
Commission rule or order pursuant to Sec. Sec.  366.3 and 366.4, every 
service company in a holding company system, including a special-
purpose company (e.g., a fuel supply company or a construction 
company), that does not file a FERC Form No. 60 shall instead file with 
the Commission by May 1, 2007 and by May 1 each year thereafter, a 
narrative description, FERC-61, of the service company's functions 
during the prior calendar year. In complying with this section, a 
holding company may make a single filing on behalf of all such service 
company subsidiaries.
    (3) For good cause shown, the Commission may extend the time within 
which any such report or narrative description required to be filed 
pursuant to paragraphs (a)(1) or (2) of this section is to be filed or 
waive the requirements applicable to any such report or narrative 
description. The authority to act on motions for extensions of time to 
file any such reports or to waive the requirements applicable to any 
such reports or narrative descriptions, including granting or denying 
such motions, in whole or in part, is delegated to the Chief Accountant 
or the Chief Accountant's designee.
    (b) Transition period.--Service companies in holding company 
systems

[[Page 28463]]

exempted from the requirements of the Public Utility Holding Company 
Act of 1935 (15 U.S.C. 79a et seq.) need not file an annual report, 
FERC Form No. 60, for calendar years 2005 and 2006, after which they 
must comply with the provisions of this section.

[FR Doc. 06-4042 Filed 5-15-06; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6717-01-P