Why Does the Federal Energy Regulatory Commissions interest extend beyond the power production aspect of the project to the shoreline?
The FERC has oversight and regulatory authority over all of the activities and lands within the project boundary at the Smith Mountain Project. Under Section 10(a)(1) of the Federal Power Act, the FERC is required to ensure that any project for which a license is issued will be best adapted to a comprehensive plan for improving or developing a waterway for the use or benefit of interstate or foreign commerce, for the improvement and utilization or waterpower development, for the adequate protection, mitigation, and enhancement of fish and wildlife, and for other beneficial public uses such as recreation. In 1986, the Electric Consumers Protection Act amended the Federal Power Act to require FERC to give equal consideration to non-developmental interests when issuing a license for a hydropower project. To carry out its responsibilities, the FERC has not only the authority, but also the obligation, to ensure that any uses of the project boundary will be in the public interest. To that en
Related Questions
- Do the Councils NEPA regulations apply to independent regulatory agencies like the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission?
- Why Does the Federal Energy Regulatory Commissions interest extend beyond the power production aspect of the project to the shoreline?
- How will FERC (Federal Energy Regulatory Commission) licenses and project boundaries affect future management of the lands?
