Opinion ID: 184925
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: FERC's Position

Text: 65 FERC argues that the Commission properly concluded that the equitable approach would be to implement the settlement on a prospective basis, as all other TAPS settlements had been. The cases cited by Exxon address the issue of whether FERC is barred from applying a remedy retroactively, not whether it is required to do so. FERC's discretion is at its zenith when deciding what kind of remedy to apply. See Towns of Concord, Norwood, & Wellesley, Mass. v. FERC, 955 F.2d 67, 76 (D.C. Cir. 1992). FERC asserts that it made its decision based on several equitable factors 6 : 66 FERC took note (1) that parties supported the Nine Party Settlement only if it were implemented prospectively; (2) that all prior TAPS cases resolved by settlements have been on a prospective basis; (3) that the changes adopted by the Settlement Order only modify limited aspects of the distillation methodology put in place in 1993; and (4) that the TAPS Quality Bank is suigeneris. 81 FERC at 62,467.FERC Brief at 59. Therefore, FERC argues, it did not abuse its discretion. FERC also notes that it did not bait and switch Exxon in denying the stay because each remedy must be decided on its own merits.