Inquiry Concerning the Commission's Merger Policy Under the Federal Power Act; Order on Reconsideration

The Commission denies reconsideration of its Policy Statement Establishing Factors the Commission Will Consider in Evaluating Whether a Proposed Merger is Consistent With the Public Interest. In that Policy Statement, the Commission said that it will generally allow 60 days for comments on a completed merger application. In response to commenters who argue that 60 days will not be enough time to prepare substantial comments on some merger applications, the Commission notes that the Policy Statement establishes only a general policy, not a binding rule, and states that it will lengthen the comment period in specific cases when there is reason to do so.