Landowner Resources

• Hazardous Liquid Pipelines: carry crude oil; natural gas liquids such as ethane, propane and butane; and refined fuels such as gasoline, diesel and jet fuel.
• Natural Gas Pipelines: carry natural gas.
• Transmission Pipelines: are the large lines that move gas and liquids long distances around the country, often at high pressures.
• Distribution Pipelines: are smaller lines that deliver natural gas to our individual homes and businesses.
• Gathering Pipelines: transport gas and crude oil away from the point of production (wellhead) to another facility for further refinement or to transmission pipelines.

Brief Overview for Landowners:

Pre-Filing Stage

• The developer notifies FERC and begins outreach to landowners.
• You can: Ask questions, attend applicant-sponsored Open House events, and submit early feedback.

Application Filed

• FERC officially begins its review process.
• You can: View dockets in eLibrary, submit formal comments, and attend Scoping Meetings.

Environmental Review

• FERC assess environmental, safety, and community impacts.
• You can: Provide comments on draft environmental impact statements or environmental assessments.

Final Decision

• FERC issues a decision and outlines required conditions.
• You can: Request a rehearing if you’re a party to the proceeding. You can also file comments about construction, restoration, or compliance issues through the construction process.

Additional Resources

• The Process: An outline of the major parts of each process for Natural Gas and Hydroelectric Projects.
• WorkshOPP: Public Participation in the Natural Gas Pre-Filing Review Process: FERC staff provide an overview of the pre-filing review. FERC staff discuss public participation opportunities and outline resources available to assist the public.

A blanket certificate issued pursuant to section 7(c) of the Natural Gas Act, allows natural gas companies to perform certain routine activities without the need to obtain a case-specific certificate for each individual project. For a more formal explanation see: Blanket Certificates

The activities typically:

• Are small in scale,
• Have minimal environmental impact,
• Follow standard conditions and safety rules set by FERC.

There are two types of blanket certificate projects; Automatic and Prior Notice.

Automatic: For small-scale, low impact activities that don’t require FERC notice beforehand.

Prior Notice: For larger projects that require notifying FERC and the public beforehand.

Why Blanket Certificates Matter

Blanket certificates make it easier and faster for companies to perform low-impact maintenance or updates to the natural gas system, while still following FERC’s regulations.

They:

• Help companies respond quickly to reliability needs
• Still require notice and review, especially if landowners are affected.

Landowner Notification and Rights

Even with blanket certificates, companies must:

• BlanketCertificateProgram-NoticetoLandownersBrochure.pdf
• Notify affected landowners before beginning construction,
• Follow FERC’s environmental and safety regulations
• Coordinate with landowners if work will occur on private property.

An easement gives the natural gas company the right to use the property, but the landowner retains the legal title or ownership of the land itself.

Permanent Pipeline Easement:

• This easement allows the pipeline company to use a specific strip of land for the purpose of a pipeline.
• It typically outlines the width of the easement, which is typically 50 feet.
• The easement is intended to last as long as the pipeline is in use. 

Temporary Construction Easement:

• This easement provides additional space, beyond the permanent easement area, for construction activities.
• It's usually needed during the initial pipeline installation.
• The temporary easement typically expires once the pipeline is completed and the area is restored. 

Can the Natural Gas Company Take My Land?

A natural gas company will first attempt to negotiate an easement – the legal right to use a landowner’s property for the purpose of building and/or operating natural gas pipeline facilities – with landowners, including compensation for use of the land.

If the Commission approves a proposed natural gas project, but the natural gas company cannot reach an agreement with a landowner, the Natural Gas Act, enacted by Congress, gives the natural gas company authority to obtain the easement by the exercise of the right of eminent domain.

In such circumstances, eminent domain proceedings are initiated by the natural gas company in the federal district or state courts, and the court determines just compensation to the landowner.

FERC is not involved in eminent domain proceedings.

The U.S. Department of Transportation's Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) Office of Pipeline Safety (OPS) is the federal safety authority for ensuring the safe a reliable operations of our nation's pipeline transportation system. An important component of OPS's mission is to promote pipeline safety communication and education.

• Recognizing and Responding to Pipeline Emergencies
• Community Liaison Services
• Enforcement Activity
• State Resources

Call 811 Before You Dig

Safety and Inspections | Federal Energy Regulatory Commission