America’s energy business is all about data. But for years, accessing valuable federal energy information was more of an obstacle course to navigate and less of a matter of following a map. Not anymore, with the launch of Data.FERC.gov, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (FERC) new data portal. One, simple portal provides the public with unprecedented access to high-value sets of energy data on electricity, natural gas, hydropower, and oil markets.
This article describes what the FERC portal is, how it operates, and why you should care. Whether you’re a policy analyst, researcher, energy executive, or reporter, learning to leverage FERC will cut through the noise and enhance your work.
What Is FERC Data and Why Does It Matter?
FERC (Federal Energy Regulatory Commission) oversees the most significant aspects of U.S. energy infrastructure, including interstate electric transmission, gas pipelines, and licensing hydropower. It collects gigantic amounts of information to regulate markets, enforce compliance, and provide counsel for energy policy.
These facts were previously behind agency walls. Data.FERC.gov now provides one place to search, filter, and download FERC’s growing universe of data assets. This open data initiative opens the door to greater public oversight, energy analysis innovation, and regulatory transparency.
The FERC press release states that “Data.FERC.gov is designed to provide easy access to a growing collection of data assets to support research, analysis, and decision-making.“
Key Features of the FERC Data Portal
1. Search by Industry or Keyword
Users can browse or filter datasets by major industry sectors:
You can also search using specific terms like “MBR” (market-based rate filings) or “pipeline tariff.”
2. Filter and Refine Search Results
Refine your results using sidebar filters like:
- Data Type (e.g., dataset, report)
- Industry
- Program Office
- Data Asset
- Last Updated
This structure allows researchers to quickly locate the most relevant and timely data.
3. Detailed Metadata for Each Dataset
Each listing includes a rich metadata summary:
- Industry & Program Office
- Security Level
- Point of Contact (Name & Email)
- Last Updated Timestamp
For example, a dataset under the Oil category might provide:
- Company name
- Fiscal Year (FY)
- Company Total Revenue
- Annual Charge estimates
- Final billed amounts (Actual Annual Charge)
- Credit/Debit status
These data points can be essential for financial forecasting, market comparisons, or compliance reviews.
4. Downloading FERC Data in CSV or Excel Format
All datasets are downloadable in .csv or .xlsx formats—ideal for integration into Excel models, statistical software (like R or Stata), or database tools.
Practical Use Cases for FERC Data
📈 Energy Market Analysts
Use FERC’s electric transmission pricing or capacity data to model congestion patterns, analyze LMPs (locational marginal prices), or forecast infrastructure needs.
📑 Journalists and Watchdog Groups
Investigate which firms dominate natural gas transmission or analyze compliance charges by company over time.
🌿 Environmental Researchers
Track hydropower licensing trends or assess the financial impact of renewable integration on legacy utilities.
📊 State and Local Governments
Use oil industry revenue data to benchmark against environmental fees, state-level energy grants, or policy performance indicators.
Example: Finding Oil Industry Revenues by Company
Suppose you want to analyze how annual charges to oil companies have changed year-over-year.
- Visit Data.FERC.gov
- Click into the Oil industry data section
- Use keyword filters like “annual charge” or “revenue”
- Open a dataset that includes fields such as:
- Company Name
- FY Company Total Revenue
- Actual Annual Charge
- Export the dataset to Excel, then plot year-over-year trends or compare across firms.
This is exactly the type of transparency that empowers better energy governance.
Why FERC Data Matters for Open Data and Accountability
Data.FERC.gov isn’t just another government website. It represents a structural shift toward open governance in the energy space. By making key datasets accessible, it invites scrutiny, fosters innovation, and levels the informational playing field for small stakeholders.
Moreover, the platform aligns with broader federal data policies such as the Foundations for Evidence-Based Policymaking Act (2019) and the Federal Data Strategy.
Final Thoughts: What Comes Next?
FERC has committed to continuously expanding the dataset library and improving usability. In the future, we may see API access, interactive dashboards, and deeper integrations with third-party energy platforms.
For now, Data.FERC.gov stands as one of the most promising tools for energy transparency in the U.S. Anyone working with energy policy, infrastructure investment, compliance, or public accountability should learn to use it.
Hydropower-related data on Data.FERC.gov is particularly relevant for those analyzing licensing, revenue, and operational trends. For a deeper look into how hydropower technologies are categorized and documented in public databases, see our article on the Hydropower Technology Catalog Guide. It provides additional context on how such data can be applied in technical and regulatory assessments.
References and Sources
- Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. FERC launches new data website
- Data.FERC.gov Official Site: https://data.ferc.gov
- U.S. Government. Federal Data Strategy
- Foundations for Evidence-Based Policymaking Act of 2019: Congress.gov
