On Thursday, March 18, 2021, at 12:00 p.m. (EDT), the Subcommittee on
Energy and Mineral Resources will host a virtual, fully remote
legislative hearing titled, “Restoring Abandoned Mine Lands, Local
Economies, and the Environment,” including the following bills and other
related measures.
H.R.
1146
(Rep. Darin LaHood), Community Reclamation Partnerships Act
H.R.
1733
(Rep. Matt Cartwright), Revitalizing the Economy of Coal Communities
by Leveraging Local Activities and Investing More Act of 2021 or the
RECLAIM Act of 2021
H.R.
1734
(Rep. Matt Cartwright), Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act
Amendments of 2021
If you have any questions or if you need further information, please
contact Sarina Weiss, Policy Aide, Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral
Resources, at [email protected].
Dr. Jesse Jenkins, Assistant Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace
Engineering, Andlinger Center for Energy and the Environment at
Princeton University
Dr. Varun Rai, Associate Dean for Research; Professor of Public
Affairs, LBJ School of Public Affairs at the
University of Texas at Austin
Juan Torres, Associate Laboratory Director, Energy Systems Integration
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Commission staff will host a series of listening sessions to give
members of the public an opportunity to provide their thoughts and ideas
about the creation of the Office of Public Participation (OPP).
Pre-registration
for speakers is highly recommended. Speaking priority will be provided
to members of the public or representatives of Tribal governments who
pre-register
for a listening session. Following a brief introduction from Commission
staff, each session will be open to the public for 3-5 minutes of
comment per participant. Participants who have not pre-registered will
be invited to speak after pre-registered participants, time permitting.
Participants on the call have the option to listen only and can submit
though eComment.
In advance of the listening sessions, participants may wish to consider
the issues listed below:
Section 319 of the FPA states that the
OPP will be administered by a Director. (16
U.S.C. § 825q–1(a)(2)(A)). In addition to the Director, how should the
office be structured?
Should the Commission consider creating an advisory board for
OPP? If so, what role would the board serve
and who should be on the board?
How should the OPP coordinate assistance to
persons intervening or participating, or seeking to intervene or
participate, in a Commission proceeding?
To what extent do you, or the organization you represent, currently
interact with the Commission? What has hindered or helped your ability
to participate in Commission proceedings?
Have you engaged with other governmental entities—such as local,
state, and other federal agencies—on matters involving your interests?
If so, how did those agencies engage in outreach, and what practices
improved your ability to participate in their processes?
How should the OPP engage with Tribal
Governments, environmental justice communities, energy consumers,
landowners, and other members of the public affected by Commission
proceedings? Section 319 of the FPA allows
the Commission to promulgate rules to offer compensation for attorney
fees and other expenses to intervenors and participants who
substantially contribute to a significant Commission proceeding if
participation otherwise would result in significant financial
hardship. (16 U.S.C. § 825q–1(b)(2)). How should the Commission
approach the issue of intervenor compensation? What should the
OPP’s role be with respect to intervenor
compensation? How should the Commission establish a budget for and
fund intervenor compensation? What lessons can the Commission learn
from the administration of similar state intervenor compensation
programs?
The sessions will be open for the public to attend, and there is no fee
for attendance. Listening sessions will be audio-only. Call-in
information details, including preregistration, can be found on the
OPP website. Information will also be posted
on the Calendar of Events on the Commission’s website, www.ferc.gov,
prior to the event. The listening sessions will be transcribed and
placed into the record approximately one week after the session date.
The listening sessions 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.
The public may also submit written comments on these topics to the
record in Docket No. AD21-9-000 by Friday,
April 23, 2021. Please file comments using the Commission’s eFiling
system at https://ferconline.ferc.gov/FERCOnline.aspx. For assistance,
please contact FERC Online Support at
[email protected], (866) 208-3676 (toll free), or (202)
502-8659 (TTY).