Electricity Regulation: FERC's Efforts to Monitor and Enforce
Hydroelectric Requirements (Letter Report, 05/24/94, GAO/RCED-94-162).

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) regulates about 1,670
nonfederal hydroelectric projects across the country. FERC's main
concern is that project operators abide by terms and conditions designed
to protect people, property, and the environment. GAO concludes that
FERC's monitoring procedures and practices are adequate to ensure that
these projects are complying with its requirements. FERC's procedures
for investigating allegations of noncompliance with license requirements
are adequate and generally followed. FERC's monitoring and enforcement
efforts to ensure structural soundness, public safety, and environmental
protection are showing positive results. The number of violations
committed each year fell from 157 in fiscal year 1989 to 87 in 1993, a
45-percent decline. Over the same period, FERC increased its enforcement
efforts against project owners who commit violations. Compliance orders,
which are directives to correct deficiencies, jumped from 26 to 37;
fines totaling $3.7 million were levied against 31 projects; and eight
licenses were revoked.

--------------------------- Indexing Terms -----------------------------

 REPORTNUM:  RCED-94-162
     TITLE:  Electricity Regulation: FERC's Efforts to Monitor and 
             Enforce Hydroelectric Requirements
      DATE:  05/24/94
   SUBJECT:  Electric power generation
             Noncompliance
             Licenses
             Hydroelectric powerplants
             Safety regulation
             Fines (penalties)
             Regulatory agencies
             Investigations by federal agencies
             Environmental monitoring
IDENTIFIER:  FERC Hydropower License Compliance Tracking System
             
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