18 CFR § 1b.5 - Formal investigations.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t18/s1b.5"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "18 CFR § 1b.5 - Formal investigations."
title_number: 18
title_name: "Conservation of Power and Water Resources"
section_number: "1b.5"
section_name: "Formal investigations."
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.5 Formal investigations.

The Commission may, in its discretion, initiate a formal investigation by issuing an Order of Investigation. Orders of Investigation will outline the basis for the investigation, the matters to be investigated, the officer(s) designated to conduct the investigation and their authority. The director of the office responsible for the investigation may add or delete Investigating Officers in the Order of Investigation.