18 CFR § 1b.1 - Definitions.
---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t18/s1b.1"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "18 CFR § 1b.1 - Definitions."
title_number: 18
title_name: "Conservation of Power and Water Resources"
section_number: "1b.1"
section_name: "Definitions."
chapter_name: "FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION, DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY"
subchapter_number: "A"
subchapter_name: "GENERAL RULES"
part_number: "1b"
part_name: "RULES RELATING TO INVESTIGATIONS"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-04-05"
last_updated: "2026-04-05"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "15 U.S.C. 717-717z, 3301-3432; 16 U.S.C. 792-828c, 2601-2645; 42 U.S.C. 7101-7352; 49 U.S.C. 60502; 49 App. U.S.C. 1-85 (1988); E.O. 12009, 3 CFR 1978 Comp., p. 142."
regulatory_source: "43 FR 27174, June 23, 1978, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "1b"
---
# 1b.1 Definitions.
For purposes of this part—
(a) *Formal investigation* means an investigation instituted by a Commission Order of Investigation.
(b) *Preliminary Investigation* means an inquiry conducted by the Commission or its staff, other than a formal investigation.
(c) Investigating officer means the individual(s) designated by the Commission in an Order of Investigation as Officer(s) of the Commission.
(d) *Enforcement Hotline* is a forum in which to address quickly and informally any matter within the Commission's jurisdiction concerning natural gas pipelines, oil pipelines, electric utilities and hydroelectric projects.
[43 FR 27174, June 23, 1978, as amended by Order 602, 64 FR 17097, Apr. 8, 1999]