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The case originates in Pacoima California where a small subsection of the community was both concerned and aware that many of the houses in the low income, largely latino neighborhoods, contained lead paints, given many of the houses were constructed before the 1950’s. The Environmental Justice group, Pacomia Beautiful is a Nonprofit environmental organization, focused on community health. PB runs three programs in LA; community inspectors program (identification of hazards sources and simple solution generators), a Youth Environmentalist Program (assists youth to participate in projects to improve environment), and a Safer Home for a Healthy Community Program (Helps residents create healthy homes). In 1999 the group approached the public health lead hazard in multiple ways. They first assessed community knowledge through a pilot project working in tandem with CSUN (Cal State University, Northridge). They educated the community through trained volunteers called promotoras, who went door to door providing resources for lead remediation, working with public policy officials to as well devise a strategy to update current tenet and housing laws in order to prevent future exposure. The group collaborated with UCI, UCLA, LA Department of Health Services, and others to reach 2,500 residents, test children blood levels, test homes, as well as establish a database for homes that had been abated. This study is a great representation of how public health, environmental leaders, neighbors and academia all came together to support a project. As a result, the group along with the local community provided information to 2,500 residents, tested blood lead levels in 675 children, tested 300 homes and renovated (by 2015) 27%, and developed a registry of home that had been abated.

Strategic plans generated every four years include and highlight FERC motivations, goals, and emphasize key priorities the organization plans on focusing on. The newest FERC Strategic plan FY 2022-2026 demonstrates the organizations shifting focus on environmental implications and environmental justice. Compared to the previous Strategic plans from 2009 till 2022, there have been zero mentions of “environmental justice” or “environmental justice communities”. In the newest 2022-2026 strategic plan there were 24 mentions of “environmental justice” and 11 mentions of “environmental justice communities”. The newest strategic plan focuses on better examining greenhouse gas emissions by revising the analytical framework for evaluating effects of natural gas infrastructure. The newest strategic plan includes an outline to address energy security and reliability given extreme weather events, climate change and new cyber security threats. An additional priority includes improving participation in proceedings, including landowners, environmental justice communities, tribal nations, and members of the public. Their report also includes an emphasis on regulation and compliance with industry. 

The structure in which the FERC is funded is one of particular controversy, which was brought to court in 2016 by the Delaware Riverkeeper Network. The DRN alleged that the way in which the FERC was funded was inherently biased in favor of industry and violated the public's 5th amendment right. The FERC has an appropriated budget set by congress. The FERC raises revenue through the industry it regulates to reimburse and generate funding.  The lawsuit legally sided with the FERC giving the following reasons: the FERC budget has remained consistently the same, the FERC is statutorily required to eliminate under and over recovery of money, and the opposition failed ot prove it's case.

This organization works with the EPA, US Army Corps of Engineers, US Coast Guard, US Department of Energy, US Fish and Wildlife Services and other agencies on Environmental Impact Statements for new Infrastructure.

As of April 2022 the commissioners include, Commissioner James Danly, Commissioner Allison Clements, Commissioner Mark C. Christie, and Commissioner Willie L. Phillips, and Chairman, Richard Glick. Chairman and Commissioners are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. Commissioners and Chair serve staggered five year terms and not more than three of the five commissioners, including the chair, can be from the same political party. Additional staffers include ~1500 employees (based on FY 2019). Staffers fulfill supplemental positions such as lawyers, engineers, economists, biologist, ecologist etc. The chairman and commissioners are at the top of the organizational structure. Administrative, Regulatory, and Litigation functions all follow. There are 13 specific departments such as the Office of Administrative Litigation, Office of Energy Policy and Innovation, Office of the External Affairs etc. all fall into one of the three functions.

FERC's mission According to the FERC government website: “Assist consumers in obtaining reliable, safe, secure, and economically efficient energy services at a reasonable cost through appropriate regulatory and market means, and collaborative efforts.” This organization as of April 2022 is operational.