{"argument_date":"2015-10-14T00:00:00Z","arguments":[{"argument_date":"2015-10-14T00:00:00Z","heading":"What happened at the argument","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2015","official_transcript_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-840_5ok6.pdf","paragraphs":["General Verrilli argued the Federal Power Act expressly authorizes FERC to regulate wholesale rate processes.","Mr. Phillips argued economic principles support the Commission's approach to demand response.","Mr. Clement represented the Electric Power Supply Association and other power generator organizations."],"reargument":false,"sequence":1,"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 12-18","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-840_5ok6.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 12-18"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 38-46","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-840_5ok6.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 38-46"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 20-24","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-840_5ok6.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 20-24"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 30-38","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-840_5ok6.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 30-38"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 36-40","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-840_5ok6.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 36-40"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 46-50","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-840_5ok6.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 46-50"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 34-14","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-840_5ok6.pdf","page_label":"file page 17, lines 34-14"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 8-4","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-840_5ok6.pdf","page_label":"file page 26, lines 8-4"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 22-46","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-840_5ok6.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 22-46"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 48-14","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-840_5ok6.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 48-14"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 8-20","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-840_5ok6.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 8-20"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 34-36","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-840_5ok6.pdf","page_label":"file page 59, lines 34-36"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 12-46","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-840_5ok6.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 12-46"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 52-8","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-840_5ok6.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 52-8"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 12-22","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-840_5ok6.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 12-22"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 34-40","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-840_5ok6.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 34-40"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 8-34","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-840_5ok6.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 8-34"}]}],"caption":"FERC v. Electric Power Supply Assn.","case_history":[{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:23.015480Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"},{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:23.028189Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"}],"case_status":"argued","dek":"The dispute centers on whether federal rules for wholesale demand response unlawfully control retail electricity prices.","dek_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 34-14","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-840_5ok6.pdf","page_label":"file page 17, lines 34-14"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 8-4","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-840_5ok6.pdf","page_label":"file page 26, lines 8-4"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 22-46","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-840_5ok6.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 22-46"}],"dispositions":[],"latest_court_document_date":"2015-10-14T00:00:00Z","maturity":"official_transcript","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2015","official_disposition_urls":[],"official_docket_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/docket/docketfiles/html/public/14-840.html","primary_docket":"14-840","revisions":[{"correction_note":"Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.","created_at":"2026-08-30T19:27:01.613806Z","maturity":"official_transcript","revision_number":1},{"correction_note":"Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.","created_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z","maturity":"official_transcript","revision_number":2}],"schema_version":"1.1","sections":[{"heading":"What this case is about","paragraphs":["The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission issued rules for wholesale demand response. These rules allow utilities to pay customers to reduce peak usage. The Electric Power Supply Association challenged these rules. They argued the rules intrude on state authority over retail rates."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 34-14","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-840_5ok6.pdf","page_label":"file page 17, lines 34-14"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 8-4","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-840_5ok6.pdf","page_label":"file page 26, lines 8-4"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 22-46","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-840_5ok6.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 22-46"}]},{"heading":"How the case got here","paragraphs":["The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on October 14, 2015."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 8-20","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-840_5ok6.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 8-20"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 34-36","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-840_5ok6.pdf","page_label":"file page 59, lines 34-36"}]},{"heading":"What each side wants","paragraphs":["The Commission wants the Court to uphold its wholesale demand response rules.","The Association wants the Court to strike down the rules as exceeding federal power."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 34-14","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-840_5ok6.pdf","page_label":"file page 17, lines 34-14"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 8-4","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-840_5ok6.pdf","page_label":"file page 26, lines 8-4"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 22-46","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-840_5ok6.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 22-46"}]},{"heading":"What each side says","paragraphs":["The Commission argues the Federal Power Act authorizes regulating wholesale rate-setting processes.","The Association argues the rules effectively regulate retail rates, which states control."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 34-14","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-840_5ok6.pdf","page_label":"file page 17, lines 34-14"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 8-4","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-840_5ok6.pdf","page_label":"file page 26, lines 8-4"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 22-46","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-840_5ok6.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 22-46"}]},{"heading":"What the justices asked","paragraphs":["Justice Scalia asked if FERC can strip its own power by yielding to state vetoes.","Justice Scalia questioned whether paying people not to use electricity falls within FERC's power."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 12-18","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-840_5ok6.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 12-18"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 38-46","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-840_5ok6.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 38-46"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 20-24","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-840_5ok6.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 20-24"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 30-38","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-840_5ok6.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 30-38"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 36-40","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-840_5ok6.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 36-40"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 46-50","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-840_5ok6.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 46-50"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 48-14","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-840_5ok6.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 48-14"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 34-36","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-840_5ok6.pdf","page_label":"file page 59, lines 34-36"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 12-46","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-840_5ok6.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 12-46"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 52-8","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-840_5ok6.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 52-8"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 12-22","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-840_5ok6.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 12-22"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 34-40","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-840_5ok6.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 34-40"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 8-34","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-840_5ok6.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 8-34"}]},{"heading":"Why it matters","paragraphs":["This case defines the boundary between federal wholesale regulation and state retail control. It determines who sets the rules for peak electricity demand. The outcome shapes how utilities manage grid reliability and consumer costs."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 34-14","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-840_5ok6.pdf","page_label":"file page 17, lines 34-14"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 8-4","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-840_5ok6.pdf","page_label":"file page 26, lines 8-4"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 22-46","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-840_5ok6.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 22-46"}]},{"heading":"What happens next","paragraphs":["This article currently covers the argument record. Use the official docket link for later case activity."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 12-18","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-840_5ok6.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 12-18"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 38-46","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-840_5ok6.pdf","page_label":"file page 10, lines 38-46"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 20-24","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-840_5ok6.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 20-24"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 30-38","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-840_5ok6.pdf","page_label":"file page 11, lines 30-38"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 36-40","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-840_5ok6.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 36-40"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 46-50","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-840_5ok6.pdf","page_label":"file page 12, lines 46-50"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 48-14","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-840_5ok6.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 48-14"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 8-20","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-840_5ok6.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 8-20"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 34-36","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-840_5ok6.pdf","page_label":"file page 59, lines 34-36"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 12-46","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-840_5ok6.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 12-46"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 52-8","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-840_5ok6.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 52-8"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 12-22","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-840_5ok6.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 12-22"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 34-40","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-840_5ok6.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 34-40"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 8-34","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-840_5ok6.pdf","page_label":"file page 9, lines 8-34"}]}],"slug":"2015-14-840-ferc-v-electric-power-supply-assn","term":"2015","title":"Can FERC regulate retail electricity demand as part of wholesale rates?","title_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 34-14","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-840_5ok6.pdf","page_label":"file page 17, lines 34-14"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 8-4","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-840_5ok6.pdf","page_label":"file page 26, lines 8-4"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 22-46","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2015/14-840_5ok6.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 22-46"}],"topics":[],"undated_disposition_date_fallback":null,"updated_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z"}