[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 233 (Monday, December 4, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 75695-75696]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-30729]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. PL01-1-000]


Hydroelectric Licensing Policies, Procedures, and Regulations--
Comprehensive Review; Notice of Public Meetings and Requesting Comments 
and Recommendations

November 28, 2000.
    Pursuant to Section 603 of the Energy Act of 2000 (Public Law No. 
106-469), the Commission is preparing a comprehensive review of 
policies, procedures, and regulations for the licensing of 
hydroelectric projects to determine how to reduce the cost and time of 
obtaining a license. Section 603 directs the Commission to report its 
findings to Congress, including any recommendations for legislative 
changes, by May 8, 2001.
    To ensure a comprehensive review, the Commission seeks the comments 
and recommendations of all stakeholders in the Commission's 
hydroelectric licensing program, including federal and state agencies, 
Indian tribes, non-governmental organizations, licensees, and other 
members of the public. In particular, the Commission wishes to receive 
comments identifying steps in the existing licensing process that may 
require inordinate time and expense to complete, and the reasons 
therefor.
    The Commission will meet with other federal agencies in Washington, 
DC, and will send letters to state water quality officials requesting 
their views.
    The Commission will also hold public meetings to receive comments 
and recommendations in Washington, DC, and in several locations 
throughout the country. Notice of the location, date, and times of 
these meetings will be provided in future notices as arrangements are 
made. Each public meeting will include a review of the existing 
licensing process and an opportunity for participants to offer their 
comments on how it can be improved. The public meetings will be 
recorded by a stenographer and, thereby, will become a part of the 
record of the proceeding. Persons making statements will be asked to 
identify themselves for the record. The speaking time permitted to 
individuals will be determined at the beginning of each meeting, based 
on the number of persons wishing to speak and the approximate amount of 
time available for the session, but all speakers will be provided at 
least ten minutes to present their views.
    Persons choosing not to speak but wishing to comment, as well as 
speakers unable to summarize their positions within the allotted time, 
may submit written statements for inclusion in the public record.
    Written comments may also be mailed to David P. Boergers, 
Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE, 
Washington, DC 20426. Correspondence should clearly show the following 
caption on the first page:

[Docket No. PL01-1-000]

Hydroelectric Licensing Policies, Procedures, and Regulations--
Comprehensive Review

    In light of the limited amount of time available for submission on 
the Commission's Report to Congress, commenters are encouraged to 
provide written comments as early as possible, but not later than 
February 1, 2001, and to use their time at the public meetings to 
summarize previously filed written comments or to focus on only the 
most significant sources of cost and delay in the licensing process 
from their perspective. Comments may also be filed electronically via 
the Internet. See 18 CFR 385.2001(a)(1)(iii) and the instructions on 
the Commission's web site at http://www.ferc.fed.us/efi/doorbell.htm.

[[Page 75696]]

    For further information, please contact Edward Abrams at the 
Commission, 202-219-2773.

David P. Boergers,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 00-30729 Filed 12-1-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-M