Hydropower Regulatory Efficiency Act of 2013; Supplemental Notice of Workshop, 58535-58536 [2013-23170]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 185 / Tuesday, September 24, 2013 / Notices Dated: September 18, 2013. Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary. [FR Doc. 2013–23174 Filed 9–23–13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717–01–P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. AD13–9–000] mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Hydropower Regulatory Efficiency Act of 2013; Supplemental Notice of Workshop As announced in the Notice issued on September 3, 2013, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or Commission) staff will hold a workshop on October 2, 2013, from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. eastern daylight time (EDT). This workshop will solicit public comments and recommendations on the feasibility of a two-year process for the issuance of a license for hydropower development at non-powered dams and closed-loop pumped storage projects in compliance with section 6 of the Hydropower Regulatory Efficiency Act of 2013. The workshop will be held in the Commission Meeting Room at 888 First Street NE., Washington, DC 20426. The workshop will be open to the public and all interested parties are invited to participate. Commission members will attend and may participate in the workshop. An agenda for the workshop is attached to this notice. This workshop will be transcribed. Transcripts of the workshop will be immediately available for a fee from Ace-Federal Reporters, Inc. at (202) 347–3700. A free webcast of this event will be available through www.ferc.gov. Anyone with internet access who wants to view this event can do so by navigating to the Calendar of Events at www.ferc.gov and locating this event in the Calendar. The event will contain a link to its webcast. The Capitol Connection provides technical support for webcasts and offers the option of listening to the workshop via phonebridge for a fee. If you have any questions, visit www.CapitolConnection.org or call (703) 993–3100. Those interested in attending the workshop or viewing the webcast are encouraged to register at https:// www.ferc.gov/whats-new/registration/ efficiency-act-10–02–13-form.asp by September 25, 2013. A limited number of phone lines will be available on a first-come, first-served basis for interested parties to participate via VerDate Mar<15>2010 19:49 Sep 23, 2013 Jkt 229001 teleconference. If you would like to participate via teleconference, please contact Ken Wilcox at (202) 502–6835 or kenneth.wilcox@ferc.gov by September 25, 2013. Commission workshops are accessible under section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. For accessibility accommodations, please send an email to accessibility@ferc.gov, call (866) 208– 3372 (toll free) or (202) 208–8659 (TTY), or send a FAX to (202) 208–2106 with the required accommodations. Those who wish to file written comments may do so by November 1, 2013. The Commission strongly encourages electronic filing. Please file comments using the Commission’s eFiling system at https://www.ferc.gov/ docs-filing/efiling.asp. Commenters can submit brief comments up to 6,000 characters, without prior registration, using the eComment system at https:// www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/ ecomment.asp. You must include your name and contact information at the end of your comments. For assistance, please contact FERC Online Support at FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov, (866) 208–3676 (toll free), or (202) 502–8659 (TTY). In lieu of electronic filing, please send a paper copy to: Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street NE., Washington, DC 20426. The first page of any filing should include docket number AD13–9–000. All comments will be placed in the Commission’s public files and will be available for review at the Commission in the Public Reference Room or may be viewed on the Commission’s Web site at www.ferc.gov using the eLibrary link. Enter AD13–9 in the docket number field to access documents. For assistance, please contact FERC Online Support. For more information about this workshop, please contact: Brandon Cherry (Technical Information), Office of Energy Projects, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE, Washington, DC 20426, (202) 502– 8328, brandon.cherry@ferc.gov Sarah McKinley (Logistical Information), Office of External Affairs, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street NE., Washington, DC 20426, (202) 502– 8004, sarah.mckinley@ferc.gov Dated: September 18, 2013. Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary. Two-Year Licensing Process Workshop Purpose: To solicit comments and recommendations on a two-year process for licensing hydropower development PO 00000 Frm 00025 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 58535 at non-powered dams and closed-loop pumped storage projects. Workshop Agenda 1. Introduction—12:00 p.m. to 12:30 p.m.1 1.1 Opening remarks from the Commissioners 1.2 Introduction of FERC staff and panel members 1.3lWorkshop procedures 2. Background (FERC staff presentation)—12:30 p.m. to 12:45 p.m. 2.1 Section 6 of the Hydropower Regulatory Efficiency Act of 2013 2.2 Licensing process steps 2.3 Process times for recently authorized projects 2.4 Actions implemented to shorten process times 2.5 Common factors that lengthen process times 3. Investigating the feasibility of a twoyear process (Input solicited from panel and participants)—12:45 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. 3.1 Is a two-year process feasible? 3.2 What pre-filing process steps can be eliminated, shortened, or combined? 3.3 What post-filing process steps can be eliminated, shortened, or combined? 3.4 In a two-year process, how much time should be allotted to pre-filing versus post-filing? 3.5 What, if any, process modifications are needed to account for mandatory conditions and other agency authorizations (e.g. sections 4(e) and 18 of the FPA, 401 certifications, ESA consultation)? What about fish and wildlife recommendations made under section 10(j) of the FPA? 3.6 Could memorandums of understanding between FERC and federal or state agencies help expedite processing? 3.7 Are there economic factors that affect the practicality of a two-year process? 3.8 Does the type of project (i.e., non-powered dam versus closedloop pumped storage) affect the steps included in a two-year process? 3.9 Should there be a single standard two-year process or should developers be allowed to propose unique, project-specific processes? 3.10 Is a two-year process needed for exemptions from licensing or are existing procedures adequate for expedited processing of these projects? 1 All E:\FR\FM\24SEN1.SGM times are eastern daylight time. 24SEN1 58536 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 185 / Tuesday, September 24, 2013 / Notices 4. Factors and criteria for identifying pilot projects (Input solicited from panel and participants)—3:00 p.m. to 3:55 p.m. 4.1 What project design or siting criteria should be met to be eligible to use a two-year process? Would the same criteria apply to projects at non-powered dams and closed-loop pumped storage projects? 4.2 What environmental criteria should be met to be eligible to use a two-year process? Would the same criteria apply to projects at nonpowered dams and closed-loop pumped storage projects? 4.3 In order for a project to qualify for a two-year process, should there be agreement on, and limits to, the need to develop new information? 4.4 Are there certain types of issues that should preclude a project from being eligible for a two-year process? 4.5 Are there developers that will be ready to begin testing a two-year process by February 5, 2014? 5. Closing comments and next steps— 3:55 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. [FR Doc. 2013–23170 Filed 9–23–13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717–01–P ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [FRL—9901–26–OA] Notification of a Public Meeting of the Science Advisory Board Panel for the Review of the EPA Water Body Connectivity Report Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: The EPA Science Advisory Board (SAB) Staff Office announces a public meeting of the SAB Panel to conduct a review of the EPA draft report, Connectivity of Streams and Wetlands to Downstream Waters: A Review and Synthesis of the Scientific Evidence (September, 2013 External Review Draft, EPA/600/R–11/098B). DATES: The public meeting will be held on Monday December 16, 2013 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Tuesday December 17, 2013 from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Wednesday December 18, 2013 from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (Eastern Time). ADDRESSES: The public meeting will be held at the Washington Plaza Hotel, 10 Thomas Circle, NW., Washington, DC 20005. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Any member of the public who wants further mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Mar<15>2010 19:49 Sep 23, 2013 Jkt 229001 information concerning the public meeting may contact Dr. Thomas Armitage, Designated Federal Officer (DFO), EPA Science Advisory Board Staff Office (1400R), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20460; via telephone at (202) 564–2155 or via email at armitage.thomas@epa.gov. General information concerning the SAB can be found on the EPA Web site at https://www.epa.gov/sab. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The SAB was established pursuant to the Environmental Research, Development, and Demonstration Authorization Act (ERDDAA), codified at 42 U.S.C. 4365, to provide independent scientific and technical advice to the Administrator on the technical basis for Agency positions and regulations. The SAB is a Federal Advisory Committee chartered under the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), 5 U.S.C., App. 2. The SAB will comply with the provisions of FACA and all appropriate SAB Staff Office procedural policies. Pursuant to FACA and EPA policy, notice is hereby given that the SAB Panel for the Review of the EPA Water Body Connectivity Report will hold a public meeting to conduct a review of the EPA’s draft report, Connectivity of Streams and Wetlands to Downstream Waters: A Review and Synthesis of the Scientific Evidence (September, 2013 External Review Draft, EPA/600/R–11/098B). This SAB panel will provide advice to the Administrator through the chartered SAB. Background The EPA’s Office of Research and Development (ORD) has developed a draft report reviewing and synthesizing the peer-reviewed scientific literature on the connectivity or isolation of streams and wetlands relative to large water bodies such as rivers, lakes, estuaries and oceans. The purpose of the report, Connectivity of Streams and Wetlands to Downstream Waters: A Review and Synthesis of the Scientific Evidence (September, 2013 External Review Draft, EPA/600/R–11/098B), is to summarize the current understanding about these connections, the factors that influence them, and the mechanisms by which connected waters singly or in aggregate, affect the function of downstream waters. The SAB Staff Office announced to the public through a Federal Register notice published on March 8, 2013 (78 FR 15012—15013) that it was soliciting nominations of scientific experts to serve on the SAB Panel for the Review of the EPA Water Body Connectivity Report. Information about the formation PO 00000 Frm 00026 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 of this SAB Panel can be found on the SAB Web site at https://yosemite.epa. gov/sab/sabproduct.nsf/fedrgstr_ activites/Watershed%20Connectivity %20Report?OpenDocument. Technical Contact for EPA’s Draft Report: Any technical questions concerning EPA’s draft report should be directed to Dr. Laurie Alexander, National Center for Environmental Assessment, Office of Research and Development, U.S. EPA, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW., Mail Code 8623P, Washington, DC 20460, telephone (703) 347–8630 or via email at alexander.laurie@epa.gov. Availability of Meeting Materials: The draft EPA report, Connectivity of Streams and Wetlands to Downstream Waters: A Review and Synthesis of the Scientific Evidence (September, 2013 External Review Draft, EPA/600/R–11/ 098B), and the charge to the SAB Panel are available on the SAB Web site at https://yosemite.epa.gov/sab/sabproduct. nsf/fedrgstr_activites/Watershed%20 Connectivity%20Report? OpenDocument. The agenda and other meeting materials will be available on the SAB Web site at the URL listed above prior to the meeting. Procedures for Providing Public Input: Public comment for consideration by EPA’s federal advisory committees and panels has a different purpose from public comment provided to EPA program offices. The intended use of comments submitted to the SAB is different from the purpose of comments submitted to the EPA’s program offices. Federal advisory committees and panels, including scientific advisory committees, provide independent advice to EPA. Interested members of the public may submit relevant comments for the SAB Panel to consider pertaining to the review materials, including the charge to the Panel. Input from the public to the SAB Panel will have the most impact if it provides specific scientific or technical information or analysis for the SAB Panel to consider or if it relates to the clarity or accuracy of the technical information. Members of the public wishing to provide written comments may submit them to the EPA Docket electronically via www.regulations.gov, by email, by mail, by facsimile, or by hand delivery/courier. Please follow the detailed instructions provided in the written statements section of this notice. Members of the public wishing to provide oral statements to the SAB Panel should contact the DFO directly. Oral Statements: In general, individuals or groups requesting an oral presentation at a public meeting will be limited to five minutes. Interested E:\FR\FM\24SEN1.SGM 24SEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 185 (Tuesday, September 24, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58535-58536]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-23170]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. AD13-9-000]


Hydropower Regulatory Efficiency Act of 2013; Supplemental Notice 
of Workshop

    As announced in the Notice issued on September 3, 2013, the Federal 
Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or Commission) staff will hold a 
workshop on October 2, 2013, from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. eastern 
daylight time (EDT). This workshop will solicit public comments and 
recommendations on the feasibility of a two-year process for the 
issuance of a license for hydropower development at non-powered dams 
and closed-loop pumped storage projects in compliance with section 6 of 
the Hydropower Regulatory Efficiency Act of 2013. The workshop will be 
held in the Commission Meeting Room at 888 First Street NE., 
Washington, DC 20426. The workshop will be open to the public and all 
interested parties are invited to participate. Commission members will 
attend and may participate in the workshop. An agenda for the workshop 
is attached to this notice.
    This workshop will be transcribed. Transcripts of the workshop will 
be immediately available for a fee from Ace-Federal Reporters, Inc. at 
(202) 347-3700. A free webcast of this event will be available through 
www.ferc.gov. Anyone with internet access who wants to view this event 
can do so by navigating to the Calendar of Events at www.ferc.gov and 
locating this event in the Calendar. The event will contain a link to 
its webcast. The Capitol Connection provides technical support for 
webcasts and offers the option of listening to the workshop via phone-
bridge for a fee. If you have any questions, visit 
www.CapitolConnection.org or call (703) 993-3100.
    Those interested in attending the workshop or viewing the webcast 
are encouraged to register at https://www.ferc.gov/whats-new/registration/efficiency-act-10-02-13-form.asp by September 25, 2013. A 
limited number of phone lines will be available on a first-come, first-
served basis for interested parties to participate via teleconference. 
If you would like to participate via teleconference, please contact Ken 
Wilcox at (202) 502-6835 or kenneth.wilcox@ferc.gov by September 25, 
2013.
    Commission workshops are accessible under section 508 of the 
Rehabilitation Act of 1973. For accessibility accommodations, please 
send an email to accessibility@ferc.gov, call (866) 208-3372 (toll 
free) or (202) 208-8659 (TTY), or send a FAX to (202) 208-2106 with the 
required accommodations.
    Those who wish to file written comments may do so by November 1, 
2013. The Commission strongly encourages electronic filing. Please file 
comments using the Commission's eFiling system at https://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/efiling.asp. Commenters can submit brief comments up to 
6,000 characters, without prior registration, using the eComment system 
at https://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/ecomment.asp. You must include your 
name and contact information at the end of your comments. For 
assistance, please contact FERC Online Support at 
FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov, (866) 208-3676 (toll free), or (202) 502-
8659 (TTY). In lieu of electronic filing, please send a paper copy to: 
Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street NE., 
Washington, DC 20426. The first page of any filing should include 
docket number AD13-9-000.
    All comments will be placed in the Commission's public files and 
will be available for review at the Commission in the Public Reference 
Room or may be viewed on the Commission's Web site at www.ferc.gov 
using the eLibrary link. Enter AD13-9 in the docket number field to 
access documents. For assistance, please contact FERC Online Support.
    For more information about this workshop, please contact:

Brandon Cherry (Technical Information), Office of Energy Projects, 
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE, Washington, 
DC 20426, (202) 502-8328, brandon.cherry@ferc.gov
Sarah McKinley (Logistical Information), Office of External Affairs, 
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street NE., Washington, 
DC 20426, (202) 502-8004, sarah.mckinley@ferc.gov

    Dated: September 18, 2013.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.

Two-Year Licensing Process Workshop

    Purpose: To solicit comments and recommendations on a two-year 
process for licensing hydropower development at non-powered dams and 
closed-loop pumped storage projects.

Workshop Agenda

1. Introduction--12:00 p.m. to 12:30 p.m.\1\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ All times are eastern daylight time.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    1.1 Opening remarks from the Commissioners
    1.2 Introduction of FERC staff and panel members
    1.3--Workshop procedures
2. Background (FERC staff presentation)--12:30 p.m. to 12:45 p.m.
    2.1 Section 6 of the Hydropower Regulatory Efficiency Act of 2013
    2.2 Licensing process steps
    2.3 Process times for recently authorized projects
    2.4 Actions implemented to shorten process times
    2.5 Common factors that lengthen process times
3. Investigating the feasibility of a two-year process (Input solicited 
from panel and participants)--12:45 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
    3.1 Is a two-year process feasible?
    3.2 What pre-filing process steps can be eliminated, shortened, or 
combined?
    3.3 What post-filing process steps can be eliminated, shortened, or 
combined?
    3.4 In a two-year process, how much time should be allotted to pre-
filing versus post-filing?
    3.5 What, if any, process modifications are needed to account for 
mandatory conditions and other agency authorizations (e.g. sections 
4(e) and 18 of the FPA, 401 certifications, ESA consultation)? What 
about fish and wildlife recommendations made under section 10(j) of the 
FPA?
    3.6 Could memorandums of understanding between FERC and federal or 
state agencies help expedite processing?
    3.7 Are there economic factors that affect the practicality of a 
two-year process?
    3.8 Does the type of project (i.e., non-powered dam versus closed-
loop pumped storage) affect the steps included in a two-year process?
    3.9 Should there be a single standard two-year process or should 
developers be allowed to propose unique, project-specific processes?
    3.10 Is a two-year process needed for exemptions from licensing or 
are existing procedures adequate for expedited processing of these 
projects?

[[Page 58536]]

4. Factors and criteria for identifying pilot projects (Input solicited 
from panel and participants)--3:00 p.m. to 3:55 p.m.
    4.1 What project design or siting criteria should be met to be 
eligible to use a two-year process? Would the same criteria apply to 
projects at non-powered dams and closed-loop pumped storage projects?
    4.2 What environmental criteria should be met to be eligible to use 
a two-year process? Would the same criteria apply to projects at non-
powered dams and closed-loop pumped storage projects?
    4.3 In order for a project to qualify for a two-year process, 
should there be agreement on, and limits to, the need to develop new 
information?
    4.4 Are there certain types of issues that should preclude a 
project from being eligible for a two-year process?
    4.5 Are there developers that will be ready to begin testing a two-
year process by February 5, 2014?
5. Closing comments and next steps--3:55 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

[FR Doc. 2013-23170 Filed 9-23-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P
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