[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 241 (Thursday, December 14, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 78167-78168]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-31851]


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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

December 8, 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,

[[Page 78168]]

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. We also are seeking proposed administrative or legislative 
solutions to any problem areas identified.
    The Commission will conduct public meetings at the following 
locations to receive comments and recommendations:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Date                               Address
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Monday, January 8, 2000................  Commission Meeting Room, 2-C,
                                          888 First Street, N.E.,
                                          Washington D.C., (202) 219-
                                          2722.
Tuesday, January 9, 2000...............  Richard B. Russell Building,
                                          Storm Auditorium, 75 Spring
                                          Street, Atlanta GA, (404) 562-
                                          9404.
Wednesday, January 10, 2000............  Ramada Inn, 300 Broadway,
                                          Albany, NY, (518) 434-4111.
Thursday, January 11, 2000.............  Lansing Center, 333 E. Michigan
                                          Avenue, Lansing, MI, (517) 483-
                                          7400.
Wednesday, January 17, 2000............  Holiday Inn Airport, 8439 N.E.
                                          Columbia, Portland, OR, (503)
                                          256-5000.
Thursday, January 18, 2000.............  Vagabond Executive Inn, 2030
                                          Arden Way, Sacramento, CA,
                                          (916) 929-5600.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    All meetings will commence at 9:00 A.M. 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 of 
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. 
Commenters may also send copies of their comments to agencies or other 
entities of interest.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Please contact Edward Abrams at the 
Commission, 202-219-2773.

David P. Boergers,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 00-31851 Filed 12-13-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-M