Just and Reasonable: The Cornerstone of Energy Regulation

67 Pages Posted: 1 Jul 2015 Last revised: 14 Nov 2015

Date Written: June 30, 2015

Abstract

"Just and Reasonable" is the standard language in both the Federal Power Act and most state regulatory acts, yet it is rarely defined. Parsing the terms provides little illumination as to their meaning. The meaning of just and reasonable has evolved from its origin in Roman and Medieval law, through English common law, and interpretation of its use as aspirational language in legislation. More recently, just and reasonable has been redefined and constrained by the Mobile-Sierra doctrine in the context of competitive energy markets. Just and reasonable should not be seen as an alternative to the public interest, rather, it is one component of the public interest(s) that are the goal of economic regulation.

Keywords: Energy, Law, Regulation

JEL Classification: K23, L9, N41, N42, N51, N52, Q48

Suggested Citation

Isser, Steve N., Just and Reasonable: The Cornerstone of Energy Regulation (June 30, 2015). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2625131 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2625131

Steve N. Isser (Contact Author)

Independent ( email )

7307 North 12th St
Elkins Park, PA 19027
United States
267-966-5066 (Phone)

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