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Richard Hoffmann, Director Division of Gas – Environment & Engineering Office of Energy Projects

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Policies Affecting the Siting, Width, and other Characteristics of New Pipeline Rights-of-Way. Richard Hoffmann, Director Division of Gas – Environment & Engineering Office of Energy Projects 11-16-07. What FERC Regulates.

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Richard Hoffmann, Director Division of Gas – Environment & Engineering Office of Energy Projects

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  1. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Policies Affecting the Siting, Width, and other Characteristics of New Pipeline Rights-of-Way Richard Hoffmann, Director Division of Gas – Environment & Engineering Office of Energy Projects 11-16-07

  2. What FERC Regulates • Interstate transmission of electricity, natural gas, and oil • Reviews proposals to build liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals and interstate natural gas pipelines • Licensing hydropower projects • Electric transmissions lines siting

  3. FERC Process • Inclusive • Public Outreach, Notices, Public scoping and comment meetings • Comprehensive • Detailed environmental analysis • Transparent • e-Library

  4. Phases of Project Review • Project Preparation • The applicant working on its own • Pre-Filing • FERC staff working with the applicant and stakeholders before the filing of an application • Application Review • FERC staff working with the applicant and stakeholders after the filing of an application • Post-Authorization • FERC staff working with the applicant and stakeholders to ensure compliance with conditions to the FERC approval

  5. Public Involvement During Pre-Filing Review The FERC Process • Project Sponsor Sends Landowner Notification Package • Issue Notice of Intent to Prepare the NEPA Document (i.e., scoping) • Hold Scoping Meetings Public Input • Contact the project sponsor w/questions, concerns; contact FERC • Send letters expressing concerns about environmental impact • Attend scoping meetings

  6. Identify affected parties: landowners agencies other stakeholders Facilitate identification of issues Identify study needs Facilitate resolution of issues Issue scoping notice Examine alternatives Arrange and attend site visits and meetings Initiate preparation of preliminary NEPA document Review draft resource reports FERC StaffPre-Filing Activities

  7. Benefits of the Pre-Filing Process • More interactive NEPA/permitting process, no shortcuts • Earlier, more direct interaction between FERC, other agencies, landowners • Transparency in the Pre-Filing Review Process • Goal of “no surprises” FERC staff will be an advocate for the process, not the project

  8. Public InvolvementDuring Application Review The FERC Process • Issue Notice of the Application • Issue Notice of Availability of the DEIS • Hold Public Meetings on DEIS • Issue a Commission Order Public Input • File an Intervention Register for e-subscription • File comments on the adequacy of DEIS • Attend public meetings to give comments on DEIS • Interveners can file a request for rehearing of the Commission Order

  9. FERC Guidance Affecting Siting, Width, and other Characteristics of Pipeline Rights-of Way • Use existing rights-of-way during siting and construction • Residences within 50 feet of work area • Review right-of-way widths (permanent and construction) • Offset between pipelines (foreign/looping) • Plan and Procedures = consistency

  10. Conclusion • The Regulatory System Requires Flexibility • Encourage Policies that Improve Coordination and Consideration of Issues

  11. Richard R. Hoffmann, Director Division of Gas–Environment and Engineering richard.hoffmann@ferc.gov 202.502.8066 Douglas A. Sipe, Outreach Manager Division of Gas–Environment and Engineering douglas.sipe@ferc.gov 202.502.8837 FERC FERC Contact Information:

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