II 111th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 32 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES January 6, 2009 Mr. Specter (for himself and Mr. Casey) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources A BILL To require the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to hold at least 1 public hearing before issuance of a permit affecting public or private land use in a locality.

1.

Public hearing before issuance of permits affecting public or private land use in localities

(a)

Electricity

Section 216(c) of the Federal Power Act (16 U.S.C. 824p(c)) is amended by adding at the end the following: (3)

Public hearings

(A)

In general

Subject to subparagraph (B), before issuing a permit or other authorization for any action that may affect public or private land use (other than Federal land) in a locality, the Commission shall hold at least 1 public hearing in each county and locality affected. (B)

Additional public hearing

If the government of a county or locality described in subparagraph (A) requests that the Commission hold an additional public hearing, the purpose of which is to address an issue that was not addressed at an initial public hearing held under that subparagraph, the Commission shall hold 1 additional public hearing on a date that is not earlier than 30 days, nor later than 60 days, after the date on which the initial public hearing was held. . (b)

Natural gas

Section 7(e) of the Natural Gas Act (15 U.S.C. 717f(e)) is amended— (1)by inserting (1) after (e); and (2)by adding at the end the following: (2)

Public hearings

(A)

In general

Subject to subparagraph (B), before issuing a permit or other authorization for any action that may affect public or private land use (other than Federal land) in a locality, the Commission shall hold at least 1 public hearing in each county and locality affected. (B)

Additional public hearing

If the government of a county or locality described in subparagraph (A) requests that the Commission hold an additional public hearing, the purpose of which is to address an issue that was not addressed at an initial public hearing held under that subparagraph, the Commission shall hold 1 additional public hearing on a date that is not earlier than 30 days, nor later than 60 days, after the date on which the initial public hearing was held. .