[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 37 (Friday, February 26, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Page 11764]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-04006]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. AD21-9-000]


The Office of Public Participation; Notice of Workshop and 
Request for Panelists

    Take notice that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission 
(Commission) will convene, in the above-referenced proceeding, a 
Commissioner-led workshop via webcast as part of an effort to establish 
the Office of Public Participation on April 16, 2021, from 
approximately 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern time.
    The workshop will provide interested parties with the opportunity 
to provide input to the Commission on the creation of the Office of 
Public Participation. The Commission intends to establish and operate 
the Office of Public Participation to ``coordinate assistance to the 
public with respect to authorities exercised by the Commission,'' 
including assistance to those seeking to intervene in Commission 
proceedings, pursuant to section 319 of the Federal Power Act (FPA). 16 
U.S.C. 825q-1. Congress directed the Commission to provide, by June 25, 
2021, to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress a 
report on the Commission's progress towards establishing the Office of 
Public Participation, including an organizational structure and budget 
for the office, beginning in fiscal year 2022.
    The Commission plans to hear input on the following considerations 
in forming the Office of Public Participation, including: (1) The 
office's function and scope as authorized by section 319 of the FPA; 
(2) the office's organizational structure and approach, including the 
use of equity assessment tools; (3) participation by tribes, 
environmental justice communities, and other affected individuals and 
communities, including those who have not historically participated 
before the Commission; and (4) intervenor compensation. The Commission 
seeks nominations for stakeholder panelists to provide input about each 
of these areas of consideration at the workshop by March 10, 2020. Each 
nomination should indicate name, contact information, organizational 
affiliation, what issue area the proposed panelist would speak on, and 
suggested workshop topics to [email protected].
    Supplemental notices will be issued prior to the workshop with 
further details regarding the agenda, panelists, meeting registration 
information, and electronic log-in information. The workshop will be 
open for the public to attend, and there is no fee for attendance. 
Information on the workshop will also be posted on the Calendar of 
Events on the Commission's website, www.ferc.gov, prior to the event.
    The Commission also plans to separately convene several listening 
sessions to hear from stakeholders their recommendations on creating 
the Office of Public Participation. A supplemental notice will be 
issued prior to the listening sessions with session dates and 
additional details.
    The workshop will be accessible under section 508 of the 
Rehabilitation Act of 1973. For accessibility accommodations, please 
send an email to [email protected] or call toll free 1-866-208-
3372 (voice) or 202-502-8659 (TTY), or send a FAX to 202-208-2106 with 
the required accommodations.
    For questions about the workshop, please contact Stacey Steep, 
Office of General Counsel, (202) 502-8148, [email protected], and, 
for logistical issues, contact Sarah McKinley, (202) 502-8368, 
[email protected].

    Dated: February 22, 2021.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2021-04006 Filed 2-25-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P