18 CFR § 1b.6 - Preliminary investigations.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t18/s1b.6"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "18 CFR § 1b.6 - Preliminary investigations."
title_number: 18
title_name: "Conservation of Power and Water Resources"
section_number: "1b.6"
section_name: "Preliminary 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: "2026-03-24"
last_updated: "2026-03-24"
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.6 Preliminary investigations.

The Commission or its staff may, in its discretion, initiate a preliminary investigation. In such investigations, no process is issued or testimony compelled. Where it appears from the preliminary investigation that a formal investigation is appropriate, the staff will so recommend to the Commission.