The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has attracted headlines and congressional attention in recent days for its new guidance on considering the climate effects of pipelines.

But the commission’s work on another important climate-related issue has largely flown under the radar, despite its potential to affect anyone who pays a utility bill.

What’s happening: The five-member commission is weighing whether utility companies should be allowed to continue charging customers for their trade association dues.

Under the current accounting system, utilities are allowed to pass on these costs to customers, even if the trade associations are fighting climate policies and the customers oppose these activities.

• The Center for Biological Diversity, an environmental group, submitted a petition in March urging the commission to reconsider this system. The petition argued that customers have a First Amendment right not to bankroll anti-environment activities that they oppose.
• FERC issued a notice of inquiry on the matter in December, asking the public and trade groups to weigh […]