FERC Processes

Liquefied Natural Gas Terminal Permitting Processes

This process includes consulting with stakeholders, identifying security, safety and environmental issues through scoping, and preparing environmental documents such as Environmental Assessments or Environmental Impact Statements. Applicants can choose the Pre-Filing process or the Traditional Process. Read More

Liquefied Natural Gas Terminal proposals filed with FERC must use the Pre-Filing Environmental Review Process. Applicants are encouraged to explore alternative projects with affected communities that would reduce environmental adverse effects and promote security and safety.

Pre-Filing Environmental Review Process

Natural Gas Pipeline & Storage Permitting Processes

This process includes consulting with stakeholders, identifying environmental issues through scoping, and preparing environmental documents such as Environmental Assessments or Environmental Impact Statements. Large projects may also include a preliminary determination based on non-environmental considerations. Certificates are issued by Commission order.

The certificate process has three parts:

A pre-filing process allows FERC staff to become involved with scoping of environmental issues before the applicant files its application. So, the applicant's planning process overlaps and is combined with the FERC process:

4. Pre-Filing Process

EIS Environmental Review Process - Schematic

EA Environmental Review Process - Schematic

Intervene

Deciding whether to intervene in a proceeding. View Schematic

Rulemaking Process:

FERC's proposed regulations are developed through the rulemaking process. A petition for a rulemaking can arise from the energy industry, specific companies, stakeholders and the public. There are four major parts of the process:

Hydropower Licensing Processes

Hydropower licensing processes include consulting with stakeholders, identifying environmental issues through scoping, and preparing environmental documents such as Environmental Assessments or Environmental Impact Statements. Licenses are issued by Commission order.

In the traditional licensing process, environmental issues are identified through scoping after the license application has been filed with the Commission. The traditional licensing process has two parts:

An alternative licensing process permits scoping of environmental issues to occur prior to the application being filed with the Commission. The applicant files a preliminary draft environmental review document along with the application for license. The alternative licensing process has two parts:

Note: In both the traditional and alternative licensing process, Commission staff oversees compliance with license conditions. Commission engineers also Integrated Licensing Process (ILP)

Hydrokinetic Projects

FERC's process for projects that generate electricity from waves or directly from the flow of water in ocean currents, tides, or inland waterways.

Hydrokinetic Pilot Project Licensing Procedures: Pre-Filing Activity | Post-filing Activity

Proposed Licensing Process for Hydrokinetic Pilot Projects graphic.

Enforcement

The Enforcement area has several major processes from how they conduct an audit to how civil penalty are assessed.

Administrative Hearings Process

Administrative hearings are held to resolve contested proceedings, such as appeals of Commission orders or complaints. Rate cases are set for hearing if proposed rates, terms and conditions have not been shown to be just and reasonable, and may be unjust, unreasonable, unduly discriminatory, or otherwise unlawful.

There are four major types of hearing processes:

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