Federal Energy and Environmental Regulation Agencies and Laws

1. Federal Energy and Environmental Regulation Agencies and Laws Business Law Objective 7.02

2. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) • Manages the wholesale price of natural gas and electricity sold for interstate commerce use. • Answers questions about increase in prices • State Utility agencies regulate prices • Manages transportation of electricity and natural gas • Ensures that regulated energy companies are following guidelines set by the law

3. U.S. Department of Energy • Protects National Security • Applies advanced science and nuclear technology • Protects economic security • Promotes supply and delivery of reliable, affordable, and environmentally sound energy

4. Energy Reorganization Act • Energy Reorganization Act created the NRC • Controls licensing, constructing, and creation of nuclear reactors • Manages possession, use, transportation, and disposal of nuclear material • Controls all nuclear activities

5. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) • Responsible for environmental protection • Implements the Environmental Policy Act • Governs the environmental laws for air, water, solid waste, toxic substances, and noise pollution • Controls executive orders

6. National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) • Fights Pollution and cleans the environment • Explains consequences for environmental violation • Prevents or eliminates damage to the environment • Requires federal agencies to integrate environmental values by creating Environmental Impact Statements each week that are posted every Friday on the website

7. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) • Manages all federal antipollution programs • Handles air, solid waste, toxic substances, and pesticides • Sets guidelines for program • Monitors programs • Establishes grants to help eliminate pollution • Researches and sets national standards for programs • Issues permits

8. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) • Consists of a five member commission • One member is appointed by the President • Generates safety policies and regulations for nuclear reactors and materials and allows the Executive Director for Operations (EDO) to handle policies and decisions of the commission • Issues licenses • Handles legal matters • Directs the activities of the program • EDO ensures safety of commercial use of nuclear materials in the US • Offices handle inspections, enforcement of laws, and emergency response programs licensees

9. Clean Air Act • Established to protect public health and the environment • Was created by the US Environmental Protection Agency to authorize the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) to assist in the creations of law to protect the environment • Handles problems such as acid rain, ground-level ozone, and air toxics

10. Clean Water Act • Protects water quality • Does not handle ground water • Helps to reduce pollution in waterways, wastewater treatment plants, and control runoff pollution • Protects the fish, shell fish, and wildlife in water

11. Toxic Substance Control Act • Tracks industrial chemicals produced and imported into the US • Handled by the EPA • Screens, tests, and reports chemicals that pose a threat to the environment • EPA can prohibit the manufacture or import of chemicals thought to be hazardous

12. Oil Pollution Act (OPA) Works to prevent drastic oil spills Established a trust fund to help clean up spills Oil facilities must submit detailed reports to the Federal government explaining how they will handle unexpected spills Pollution Prevention Act Works to reduce pollution Handles activities such as recycling, source reduction, and sustainable agriculture Helps to protect conservation issues such as energy, water, and natural resources Pollution Prevention

13. Energy Tax Act (ETA) Handles unstable energy climate Established in 1978 Promotes energy conversion of boilers, coal, solar, and wind technology National Energy Conservation Policy Act Works to helps decrease electricity demand Regulates utilities for residential consumers electricity Energy Laws