[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 67 (Monday, April 8, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Page 16748]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-8400]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. AD02-14-000]


Conference on Emergency Reconstruction of Interstate Natural Gas 
Infrastructure; Notice of Conference

April 2, 2002.
    On April 22, 2002 at 9 a.m. in the Commission Meeting Room (2C), 
staff from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission) and 
from the Office of Pipeline Safety (OPS) of the Department of 
Transportation will convene a technical conference to begin discussions 
with interested parties on whether and how to clarify, expedite and 
streamline permitting and approvals for interstate pipeline 
reconstruction in the event of disaster, whether natural or otherwise.
    Commission and OPS staff will provide an overview of their current 
regulatory processes and recent experiences for dealing with emergency 
situations. Additionally, Commission and OPS staff will facilitate 
discussions on possible approaches to expedite permitting emergency 
reconstruction of natural gas facilities. Other participants, including 
relevant Federal agencies and representatives of industry, will 
describe their responsibilities and present their views.
    In order to more clearly focus the discussion at the technical 
conference, other potential presenters should consider the following 
questions and present their responses at the conference:
     What industry practices exist to respond to incidents of 
intentional or accidental damage? Does the industry need additional 
flexibility to respond to such incidents? What are the antitrust 
implications of pipeline companies coordinating construction and 
operations to restore service?
     What existing state processes are there which may be 
useful to coordinate emergency responses across a diffuse community of 
industry and regulatory interests?
     Are there any existing regulations and authorities that 
could be relied on to facilitate rerouting or reconstruction in the 
event of an emergency? Are these sufficient to ensure that 
reconstructed facilities are placed in service as expeditiously as 
possible? If not, what changes may be warranted? Are modifications to, 
or waivers of, regulatory requirements called for?
     How can compliance with the National Environmental Policy 
Act (NEPA) be assured and expedited? Can a generic public interest/
national security finding be made that avoids case-specific 
environmental assessment in order to permit a pipeline company to 
commence immediate construction?
     In the event of an emergency, what agency should take the 
lead? What government entity makes the determination that a particular 
incident constitutes an emergency, and what are the implications of 
this? How will agencies cooperate on needed actions and authorizations 
to ensure rapid reconstruction and restoration of service? What are the 
roles of other agencies, State and local governments, and the 
regulatory authorities in Canada and Mexico?
     Should the Commission have the authority to compel 
construction in certain emergency circumstances? Should companies be 
compelled to construct redundant facilities for certain high-risk/high-
profile targets? Who should pay for any compelled construction?
    We will issue further details on the conference, including the 
agenda and a list of participants, as plans evolve. For additional 
information, please contact Carol Connors in the Office of External 
Affairs at [email protected]. 

Magalie R. Salas,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 02-8400 Filed 4-5-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P