83 FR 24780 - Certification of New Interstate Natural Gas Facilities

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 104 (May 30, 2018)

In this order, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission) extends the comment due date for the Notice of Inquiry (NOI) published in the Federal Register on Wednesday, April 25, 2018. The NOI is seeking information and stakeholder perspectives to help the Commission explore whether, and if so how, it should revise its approach under its currently effective policy statement on the certification of new natural gas transportation facilities to determine whether a proposed natural gas project is or will be required by the present or future public convenience and necessity, as that standard is established in section 7 of the Natural Gas Act.

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 104 (Wednesday, May 30, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 24780-24781]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-11527]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. PL18-1-000]


Certification of New Interstate Natural Gas Facilities

AGENCY: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Energy.

ACTION: Order extending time for comments.

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SUMMARY: In this order, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission 
(Commission) extends the comment due date for the Notice of Inquiry 
(NOI) published in the Federal Register on Wednesday, April 25, 2018. 
The NOI is seeking information and stakeholder perspectives to help the 
Commission explore whether, and if so how, it should revise its 
approach under its currently effective policy statement on the 
certification of new natural gas transportation facilities to determine 
whether a proposed natural gas project is or will be required by the 
present or future public convenience and necessity, as that standard is 
established in section 7 of the Natural Gas Act.

DATES: Comments are extended to July 25, 2018.

ADDRESSES: Comments, identified by docket number, may be filed in the 
following ways:
     Electronic Filing through http://www.ferc.gov. Documents 
created electronically using word processing software should be filed 
in native applications or print-to-PDF format and not in a scanned 
format.
     Mail/Hand Delivery: Those unable to file electronically 
may mail or hand-deliver comments to: Federal Energy Regulatory 
Commission, Secretary of the Commission, 888 First Street NE, 
Washington, DC 20426.
    Instructions: For detailed instructions on submitting comments and 
additional information on the rulemaking process, see the Comment 
Procedures section of the Notice of Inquiry (83 FR 18020, 18032 (Apr. 
25, 2018)).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 
Thomas Chandler (Legal Information), Office of the General Counsel, 
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street NE, Washington, 
DC 20426, 202-502-6699
Maggie Suter (Technical Information), Office of Energy Projects, 
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street NE, Washington, 
DC 20426, 202-502-6463
Caroline Wozniak (Technical Information), Office of Energy Market 
Regulation, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street NE, 
Washington, DC 20426, 202-502-8931
Brian White (Technical Information), Office of Energy Market 
Regulation. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street NE, 
Washington, DC 20426, 202-502-8332

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Order Extending Time for Comments

    1. On April 19, 2018, the Commission issued a Notice of Inquiry 
(NOI) seeking information and stakeholder perspectives to help the 
Commission explore whether, and if so how, it should revise its 
approach under its currently effective policy statement on the 
certification of new natural gas transportation facilities (Policy 
Statement) to determine whether a proposed natural gas project is or 
will be required by the present or future public convenience and 
necessity, as that standard is established in section 7 of the Natural 
Gas Act.\1\
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    \1\ Certification of New Interstate Natural Gas Facilities, 
Notice of Inquiry (NOI), 163 FERC ] 61,042 (April 19, 2018).
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    2. In the NOI, the Commission sought input on whether, and if so 
how, the Commission should adjust: (1) Its methodology for determining 
whether there is a need for a proposed project, including the 
Commission's consideration of precedent agreements and contracts for 
service as evidence of such need; (2) its consideration of the 
potential exercise of eminent domain and of landowner interests related 
to a proposed project; and (3) its evaluation of the environmental 
impact of a proposed project. The Commission also sought input on 
whether there are specific changes the Commission could consider 
implementing to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of its 
certificate processes including pre-filing, post-filing, and post-order 
issuance. The Commission granted 60 days from the date of the 
publication of the NOI in the Federal Register to file comments with 
the Commission. The NOI was published in the Federal Register on April 
25, 2018 with comments due June 25, 2018.
    3. As we stated in the NOI, 19 years have passed since the 
Commission issued the Policy Statement. Since that time, we have seen 
significant changes in the energy markets, as well as in the 
production, use and consumption of natural gas. In the NOI, the 
Commission asked a series of questions to elicit information to develop 
a good record on which to decide any future action in this matter, and 
many of those questions identify complex issues. The Commission 
believes our work on this matter will benefit from a robust record and 
as much relevant information and thoughtful input as possible. Indeed, 
it is important that we base any next steps on the best available 
information, and we encourage input from stakeholders across the energy 
spectrum. Given the complexity of the issues, and our desire to ensure 
the best possible record, the Commission has decided to extend the time 
for interested entities to submit their comments in this matter by 30 
days--to July 25, 2018.\2\
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    \2\ As the Commission indicated in the NOI, the Commission will 
decide any next steps with regard to this review of the Policy 
Statement after the Commission has reviewed the comments filed in 
response to the NOI. NOI P 4.

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[[Page 24781]]

The Commission Orders

    The time for interested entities to submit comments in this 
proceeding is hereby extended 30 days, as discussed in the body of this 
order.


    By the Commission.

    Dated: May 23, 2018.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2018-11527 Filed 5-29-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6717-01-P