Resource Agency Procedures for Conditions and Prescriptions in Hydropower Licenses

As required by the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct), the Departments of Agriculture, the Interior, and Commerce are jointly establishing procedures for a new category of expedited trial-type hearings. The hearings will resolve disputed issues of material fact with respect to conditions or prescriptions that one or more of the Departments develop for inclusion in a hydropower license issued by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) under the Federal Power Act. The three Departments are also establishing procedures for the consideration of alternative conditions and prescriptions submitted by any party to a license proceeding, as provided in EPAct. Three substantively identical rules are being promulgated--one for each agency--with a common preamble. The rules are effective immediately, so that interested parties may avail themselves of the new hearing right and alternatives process created by the EPAct, but the Departments are requesting comments on ways the rules can be improved.