The Office of Public Participation; Notice of Virtual Listening Sessions and a Public Comment Period, 13893-13894 [2021-05065]

Download as PDF 13893 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 46 / Thursday, March 11, 2021 / Notices any changes in timing or logistics. Information will also be posted on the Calendar of Events on the Commission’s website, www.ferc.gov, prior to the event. The conference will be transcribed. Transcripts will be available for a fee from Ace Reporting, (202) 347–3700. Commission conferences are accessible under section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. For accessibility accommodations, please send an email to accessibility@ferc.gov, call toll-free (866) 208–3372 (voice) or (202) 208–8659 (TTY), or send a fax to (202) 208–2106 with the required accommodations. Individuals interested in participating as panelists should self-nominate through the WebEx registration form by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday, April 7, 2021 at: https://ferc.webex.com/ ferc/onstage/ g.php?MTID=eff91ed43b5be08b 7808828631394b5c5. For more information about this technical conference, please contact Rahim Amerkhail, 202–502–8266, rahim.amerkhail@ferc.gov for technical questions or Sarah McKinley, 202–502– 8368, sarah.mckinley@ferc.gov for logistical issues. Dated: March 5, 2021. Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary. [FR Doc. 2021–05067 Filed 3–10–21; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717–01–P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Project No. 2533–062] khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES Brainerd Public Utilities; Notice of Application Tendered for Filing With the Commission and Establishing Procedural Schedule for Licensing and Deadline for Submission of Final Amendments Take notice that the following hydroelectric application has been filed with the Commission and is available for public inspection. a. Type of Application: New Major License. b. Project No.: 2533–062. c. Date Filed: March 1, 2021. d. Applicant: Brainerd Public Utilities. e. Name of Project: Brainerd Hydroelectric Project (Brainerd Project). f. Location: The Brainerd Project is located on the Mississippi River, in the City of Brainerd, in Crow Wing County, Minnesota. The project does not occupy federal land. VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:53 Mar 10, 2021 Jkt 253001 g. Filed Pursuant to: Federal Power Act, 16 U.S.C. 791 (a)–825(r). h. Applicant Contact: Scott Magnuson, Superintendent, Brainerd Public Utilities, 8027 Highland Scenic Road, P.O. Box 273, Brainerd, MN 56401. Phone (218) 825–3213 or email at smagnuson@bpu.org. i. FERC Contact: Patrick Ely at (202) 502–8570 or email at patrick.ely@ ferc.gov. j. This application is not ready for environmental analysis at this time. k. The Brainerd Project consists of: (1) A short left embankment; (2) a 256-footlong powerhouse containing five turbine generators with a totaled installed capacity of 2.9425 megawatts (MW); (3) a 78-foot-long slide gate section; (4) a 207-foot-long bascule (crest) gate section; (5) a single 20-foot-wide steel Tainter gate; (6) a 200-foot-long right embankment; (7) a 236-foot-long, 2.4kilovolt overhead transmission line; (8) a 25-foot-high dam; and (9) 2,500-acre impoundment. The Brainerd Project is operated in a run-of-river mode with an estimated annual energy production of approximately 19,392 megawatt hours. Brainerd Public Utilities proposes to continue operating the project as a runof-river facility and does not propose any new construction to the project. A license amendment allows for a sixth turbine generator unit, which would increase the total installed capacity to 3.5425 MW. The sixth turbine generator unit has not yet been installed. See 156 FERC ¶ 62,045 (2016). l. A copy of the application can be viewed on the Commission’s website at https://www.ferc.gov using the ‘‘eLibrary’’ link. Enter the docket number excluding the last three digits in the docket number field to access the document. At this time, the Commission has suspended access to the Commission’s Public Reference Room due to the proclamation declaring a National Emergency concerning the Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID–19) issued on March 13, 2020. For assistance, contact FERC at FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov or call toll-free, (866) 208–3676 or (202) 502– 8659 (TTY). m. You may also register online at https://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/ esubscription.asp to be notified via email of new filings and issuances related to this or other pending projects. For assistance, contact FERC Online Support. n. Procedural schedule: The application will be processed according to the following preliminary schedule. Revisions to the schedule will be made as appropriate. PO 00000 Frm 00020 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Milestone Issue Deficiency Letter (if necessary). Request Additional Information. Notice of Acceptance/Notice of Ready for Environmental Analysis. Target date April 2021. April 2021. August 2021. o. Final amendments to the application must be filed with the Commission no later than 30 days from the issuance date of the notice of ready for environmental analysis. Dated: March 5, 2021. Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary. [FR Doc. 2021–05064 Filed 3–10–21; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717–01–P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. AD21–9–000] The Office of Public Participation; Notice of Virtual Listening Sessions and a Public Comment Period Take notice that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission) staff will convene, in the abovereferenced proceeding, virtual listening sessions from March 17, 2021 to March 25, 2021, to solicit public input on how the Commission should establish and operate the Office of Public Participation (OPP) pursuant to section 319 of the Federal Power Act (FPA) (16 U.S.C. 825q–1). The public may also submit written comments by April 23, 2021. The listening sessions will be led by Commission staff, and may be attended by one or more Commissioners. In December 2020, Congress directed the Commission to provide a report, by June 25, 2021, detailing its progress towards establishing the OPP. Section 319 of the FPA directs the Commission to establish the OPP to ‘‘coordinate assistance to the public with respect to authorities exercised by the Commission,’’ including assistance to those seeking to intervene in Commission proceedings. (16 U.S.C. 825q–1). A February 22, 2021 notice announced a Commissioner-led workshop to be held on April 16, 2021, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern time, and requested speaker nominations by March 10, 2021. The February 22, 2021 notice can be found on the Commission’s website and eLibrary. Commission staff plan to hold listening sessions to hear from several E:\FR\FM\11MRN1.SGM 11MRN1 khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES 13894 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 46 / Thursday, March 11, 2021 / Notices stakeholder groups. The sessions will give members of the public an opportunity to provide their thoughts and ideas on how the Commission should create the OPP to encourage and facilitate public participation. Following a brief introduction from Commission staff, each session will be open to the public for 3–5 minutes of comment per participant. The Commission plans to hold the following sessions: • Landowners and Communities Affected by Infrastructure Development, Wednesday, March 17, 2021, 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. • Environmental Justice Communities and Tribal Interests, Monday, March 22, 2021, 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. • Tribal Governments, Wednesday, March 24, 2021, at 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. (session 1); 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. (session 2). • Energy Consumers and Consumer Advocates, Thursday, March 25, 2021, 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. In advance of the listening sessions, participants may wish to consider the issues listed below: 1. 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? 2. 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? 3. How should the OPP coordinate assistance to persons intervening or participating, or seeking to intervene or participate, in a Commission proceeding? 4. 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? 5. 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? 6. How should the OPP engage with Tribal Governments, environmental justice communities, energy consumers, landowners, and other members of the public affected by Commission proceedings? 7. 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 VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:53 Mar 10, 2021 Jkt 253001 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 accessibility@ferc.gov 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 FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov, (866) 208–3676 (toll free), or (202) 502–8659 (TTY). For questions about the listening sessions, please contact Stacey Steep of the Office of General Counsel at (202) 502–8148, or send an email to OPPWorkshop@ferc.gov, and Sarah McKinley, (202) 502–8368, sarah.mckinley@ferc.gov, for logistical issues. Dated: March 5, 2021. Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary. [FR Doc. 2021–05065 Filed 3–10–21; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717–01–P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. OR21–4–000] Navigator Borger Express LLC; Notice of Petition for Declaratory Order Take notice that on February 26, 2021 pursuant to Rule 207 of the Federal PO 00000 Frm 00021 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Energy Regulatory Commission’s (Commission) Rules of Practice and Procedure, 18 CFR 385.207,1 Navigator Borger Express LLC (Navigator), filed a petition for declaratory order (Petition) requesting that the Commission issue a declaratory order approving the requested rulings set forth herein related to a project it is developing that is designed to provide transportation of crude oil from Cushing, Oklahoma to Borger, Texas (Borger Express System or Project). Any person desiring to intervene or to protest this filing must file in accordance with Rules 211 and 214 of the Commission’s Rules of Practice and Procedure (18 CFR 385.211, 385.214). Protests will be considered by the Commission in determining the appropriate action to be taken, but will not serve to make protestants parties to the proceeding. Any person wishing to become a party must file a notice of intervention or motion to intervene, as appropriate. Such notices, motions, or protests must be filed on or before the comment date. Anyone filing a motion to intervene or protest must serve a copy of that document on the Petitioner. In addition to publishing the full text of this document in the Federal Register, the Commission provides all interested persons an opportunity to view and/or print the contents of this document via the internet through the Commission’s Home Page (https:// ferc.gov) using the ‘‘eLibrary’’ link. Enter the docket number excluding the last three digits in the docket number field to access the document. At this time, the Commission has suspended access to the Commission’s Public Reference Room, due to the proclamation declaring a National Emergency concerning the Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID–19), issued by the President on March 13, 2020. For assistance, contact the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission at FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov or call toll-free, (886) 208–3676 or TYY, (202) 502–8659. The Commission strongly encourages electronic filings of comments, protests and interventions in lieu of paper using the ‘‘eFiling’’ link at https:// www.ferc.gov. Persons unable to file electronically may mail similar pleadings to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street NE, Washington, DC 20426. Hand delivered submissions in docketed proceedings should be delivered to 1 Pursuant to 18 CFR 381.302, the NYISO has electronically submitted the applicable filing fee. See Update of Annual Filing Fees, 169 FERC ¶ 61,167 (2019). E:\FR\FM\11MRN1.SGM 11MRN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 46 (Thursday, March 11, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13893-13894]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-05065]


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

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. AD21-9-000]


The Office of Public Participation; Notice of Virtual Listening 
Sessions and a Public Comment Period

    Take notice that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission 
(Commission) staff will convene, in the above-referenced proceeding, 
virtual listening sessions from March 17, 2021 to March 25, 2021, to 
solicit public input on how the Commission should establish and operate 
the Office of Public Participation (OPP) pursuant to section 319 of the 
Federal Power Act (FPA) (16 U.S.C. 825q-1). The public may also submit 
written comments by April 23, 2021. The listening sessions will be led 
by Commission staff, and may be attended by one or more Commissioners.
    In December 2020, Congress directed the Commission to provide a 
report, by June 25, 2021, detailing its progress towards establishing 
the OPP. Section 319 of the FPA directs the Commission to establish the 
OPP to ``coordinate assistance to the public with respect to 
authorities exercised by the Commission,'' including assistance to 
those seeking to intervene in Commission proceedings. (16 U.S.C. 825q-
1). A February 22, 2021 notice announced a Commissioner-led workshop to 
be held on April 16, 2021, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern time, 
and requested speaker nominations by March 10, 2021. The February 22, 
2021 notice can be found on the Commission's website and eLibrary.
    Commission staff plan to hold listening sessions to hear from 
several

[[Page 13894]]

stakeholder groups. The sessions will give members of the public an 
opportunity to provide their thoughts and ideas on how the Commission 
should create the OPP to encourage and facilitate public participation. 
Following a brief introduction from Commission staff, each session will 
be open to the public for 3-5 minutes of comment per participant. The 
Commission plans to hold the following sessions:
     Landowners and Communities Affected by Infrastructure 
Development, Wednesday, March 17, 2021, 1:00 to 2:30 p.m.
     Environmental Justice Communities and Tribal Interests, 
Monday, March 22, 2021, 1:00 to 2:30 p.m.
     Tribal Governments, Wednesday, March 24, 2021, at 10:00 to 
11:30 a.m. (session 1); 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. (session 2).
     Energy Consumers and Consumer Advocates, Thursday, March 
25, 2021, 1:00 to 2:30 p.m.
    In advance of the listening sessions, participants may wish to 
consider the issues listed below:
    1. 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?
    2. 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?
    3. How should the OPP coordinate assistance to persons intervening 
or participating, or seeking to intervene or participate, in a 
Commission proceeding?
    4. 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?
    5. 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?
    6. How should the OPP engage with Tribal Governments, environmental 
justice communities, energy consumers, landowners, and other members of 
the public affected by Commission proceedings?
    7. 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).
    For questions about the listening sessions, please contact Stacey 
Steep of the Office of General Counsel at (202) 502-8148, or send an 
email to [email protected], and Sarah McKinley, (202) 502-8368, 
[email protected], for logistical issues.

    Dated: March 5, 2021.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2021-05065 Filed 3-10-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P

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