FEDERAL POWER ACT1 [The Act of June 10, 1920, Chapter 285 of

This Act appears in 16 U.S.C. 791a and following.

FEDERAL POWER ACT

[The Act of June 10, 1920, Chapter 285 of the 66th Congress]

[As Amended Through P.L. 115–325, Enacted December 18, 2018]

øCurrency: This publication is a compilation of the text of chapter 285 of the 66th

Congress. It was last amended by the public law listed in the As Amended

Through note above and below at the bottom of each page of the pdf version and

reflects current law through the date of the enactment of the public law listed at

https://www.govinfo.gov/app/collection/comps/¿

øNote: While this publication does not represent an official version of any Federal

statute, substantial efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy of its contents.

The official version of Federal law is found in the United States Statutes at Large

and in the United States Code. The legal effect to be given to the Statutes at

Large and the United States Code is established by statute (1 U.S.C. 112, 204).¿

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the

United States of America in Congress assembled,

PART I

That a commission is hereby created and established, to be

known as the Federal Power Commission (hereinafter referred to

as the ‘‘commission’’) which shall be composed of five commis-

sioners who shall be appointed by the President, by and with the

advice and consent of the Senate, one of whom shall be designated

by the President as chairman and shall be the principal executive

officer of the commission: Provided, That after the expiration of the

original term of the commissioner so designated as chairman by the

President, chairmen shall be elected by the commission itself, each

chairman when so elected to act as such until the expiration of his

term of office.

The commissioners first appointed under this section, as

amended, shall continue in office for terms of one, two, three, four,

and five years, respectively, from the date this section, as amended,

takes effect, the term of each to be designated by the President at

the time of nomination. Their successors shall be appointed each

for a term of five years from the date of the expiration of the term

for which his predecessor was appointed and until his successor is

appointed and has qualified, except that he shall not so continue

to serve beyond the expiration of the next session of Congress sub-

sequent to the expiration of said fixed term of office, and except

that any person appointed to fill a vacancy occurring prior to the

expiration of the term for which his predecessor was appointed

shall be appointed only for the unexpired term. Not more than

three of the commissioners shall be appointed from the same polit-

ical party. No person in the employ of or holding any official rela-

tion to any licensee or to any person, firm, association, or corpora-

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As Amended Through P.L. 115-325, Enacted December 18, 2018

2Sec. 2 FEDERAL POWER ACT

tion engaged in the generation, transmission, distribution, or sale

of power, or owning stock or bonds thereof, or who is in any man-

ner pecuniarily interested therein, shall enter upon the duties of or

hold the office of commissioner. Said commissioners shall not en-

gage in any other business, vocation, or employment. No vacancy

in the commission shall impair the right of the remaining commis-

sioners to exercise all the powers of the commission. Three mem-

bers of the commission shall constitute a quorum for the trans-

action of business, and the commission shall have an official seal

of which judicial notice shall be taken. The commission shall annu-

ally elect a vice chairman to act in case of the absence or disability

of the chairman or in case of a vacancy in the office of chairman.

Each commissioner shall receive an annual salary of $10,000,

together with necessary traveling and subsistence expenses, or per

diem allowance in lieu thereof, within the limitations prescribed by

law, while away from the seat of government upon official business.

The principal office of the commission shall be in the District

of Columbia, where its general sessions shall be held; but whenever

the convenience of the public or of the parties may be promoted or

delay or expense prevented thereby, the commission may hold spe-

cial session in any part of the United States.

ø16 U.S.C. 792¿

. 2. The commission shall have authority to appoint, pre-

scribe the duties, and fix the salaries of a secretary, a chief engi-

neer, a general counsel, a solicitor, and a chief accountant; and

may, subject to the civil service laws, appoint such other officers

and employees as are necessary in the execution of its functions

and fix their salaries in accordance with the Classification Act of

1949. The commission may request the President to detail an offi-

cer or officers from the Corps of Engineers, or other branches of the

United States Army, to serve the commission as engineer officer or

officers, or in any other capacity, in field work outside the seat of

government, their duties to be prescribed by the commission; and

such detail is hereby authorized. The President may also, at the re-

quest of the commission, detail, assign, or transfer to the commis-

sion engineers in or under the Departments of the Interior or Agri-

culture for field work outside the seat of government under the di-

rection of the commission.

The Commission may make such expenditures (including ex-

penditures for rent and personal services at the seat of government

and elsewhere, for law books, periodicals, and books of reference,

and for printing and binding) as are necessary to execute its func-

tions. Expenditures by the commission shall be allowed and paid

upon the presentation of itemized vouchers therefor, approved by

the chairman of the Commission or by such other member or officer

as may be authorized by the Commission for that purpose subject

to applicable regulations under the Federal Property and Adminis-

trative Services Act of 1949, as amended.

ø16 U.S.C. 793¿

. 3. The words defined in this section shall have the fol-

lowing meanings for purpose of this Act, to wit:

(1) ‘‘public lands’’ means such lands and interest in lands

owned by the United States as are subject to private appropriation

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As Amended Through P.L. 115-325, Enacted December 18, 2018

3 Sec. 3FEDERAL POWER ACT

and disposal under public land laws. It shall not include ‘‘reserva-

tions,’’ as hereinafter defined;

(2) ‘‘reservations’’ means national forest, tribal lands embraced

within Indian reservations, military reservations, and other lands

and interests in lands owned by the United States, and withdrawn,

reserved, or withheld from private appropriation and disposal

under the public land laws; also lands and interests in lands ac-

quired and held for any public purposes; but shall not include na-

tional monuments or national parks;

(3) ‘‘corporation’’ means any corporation, joint-stock company,

partnership, association, business trust, organized group of per-

sons, whether incorporated or not, or a receiver or receivers, trust-

ee or trustees of any of the foregoing. It shall not include ‘‘munici-

palities’’ as hereinafter defined;

(4) ‘‘person’’ means an individual or a corporation;

(5) ‘‘licensee’’ means any person, State, or municipality licensed

under the provisions of section 4 of this Act, and any assignee or

successor in interest thereof;

(6) ‘‘State’’ means a State admitted to the Union, the District

of Columbia, and any organized Territory of the United States;

(7) ‘‘municipality’’ means a city, county, irrigation district,

drainage district, or other political subdivision or agency of a State

competent under the laws thereof to carry on the business of devel-

oping, transmitting, utilizing, or distributing power;

(8) ‘‘navigable waters’’ means those parts of streams or other

bodies of water over which Congress has jurisdiction under its au-

thority to regulate commerce with foreign nations and among the

several States, and which either in their natural or improved condi-

tion notwithstanding interruptions between the navigable parts of

such streams or waters by falls, shallows, or rapids compelling land

carriage, are used or suitable for use for the transportation of per-

sons or property in interstate or foreign commerce, including there-

in all such interrupting falls, shallows, or rapids, together with

such other parts of streams as shall have been authorized by Con-

gress for improvement by the United States or shall have been rec-

ommended to Congress for such improvement after investigation

under its authority;

(9) ‘‘municipal purposes’’ means and includes all purposes with-

in municipal powers as defined by the constitution or laws of the

State or by the charter of the municipality;

(10) ‘‘Government dam’’ means a dam or other work con-

structed or owned by the United States for Government purposes

with or without contribution from others;

(11) ‘‘project’’ means complete unit of improvement or develop-

ment, consisting of a power house, all water conduits, all dams and

appurtenant works and structures including navigation structures)

which are a part of said unit, and all storage, diverting, or forebay

reservoirs directly connected therewith, the primary line or lines

transmitting power therefrom to the point of junction with the dis-

tribution system or with the interconnected primary transmission

system, all miscellaneous structures used and useful in connection

with said unit or any part thereof, and all water-rights, rights-of-

way, ditches, dams, reservoirs, lands, or interest in lands the use

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As Amended Through P.L. 115-325, Enacted December 18, 2018

4Sec. 3 FEDERAL POWER ACT

and occupancy of which are necessary or appropriate in the mainte-

nance and operation of such unit;

(12) ‘‘project works’’ means the physical structures of a project;

(13) ‘‘net investment’’ in a project means the actual legitimate

original cost thereof as defined and interpreted in the ‘‘classifica-

tion of investment in road and equipment of steam roads, issue of

1914, Interstate Commerce Commission,’’ plus similar cost of addi-

tions thereto and betterments thereof, minus the sum of the fol-

lowing items properly allocated thereto, if and to the extent that

such items have been accumulated during the period of the license

from earnings in excess of a fair return on such investment: (a) Un-

appropriated surplus, (b) aggregate credit balances of current de-

preciation accounts, and (c) aggregate appropriations of surplus or

income held in amortization, sinking fund, or similar reserves, or

expended for additions or betterments or used for the purposes for

which such reserves were created. The term ‘‘cost’’ shall include, in-

sofar as applicable, the elements thereof prescribed in said classi-

fication, but shall not include expenditures from funds obtained

through donations by States, municipalities, individuals, or others,

and said classification of investment of the Interstate Commerce

Commission shall insofar as applicable be published and promul-

gated as a part of the rules and regulations of the Commission;

(14) ‘‘Commission’’ and ‘‘Commissioner’’ means the Federal

Power Commission, and a member thereof, respectively;

(15) ‘‘State commission’’ means the regulatory body of the State

or municipality having jurisdiction to regulate rates and charges

for the sale of electric energy to consumers within the State or mu-

nicipality;

(16) ‘‘security’’ means any note, stock, treasury stock, bond, de-

benture, or other evidence of interest in or indebtedness of a cor-

poration subject to the provisions of this Act;

(17)(A) ‘‘small power production facility’’ means a facility which

is an eligible solar, wind, waste, or geothermal facility, or a facility

which—

(i) produces electric energy solely by the use, as a primary

energy source, of biomass, waste, renewable resources, geo-

thermal resources, or any combination thereof; and

(ii) has a power production capacity which, together with

any other facilities located at the same site (as determined by

the Commission), is not greater than 80 megawatts;

(B) ‘‘primary energy source’’ means the fuel or fuels used for

the generation of electric energy, except that such term does not in-

clude, as determined under rules prescribed by the Commission, in

consultation with the Secretary of Energy—

(i) the minimum amounts of the fuel required for ignition,

startup, testing, flame stabilization, and control uses, and

(ii) the minimum amounts of fuel required to alleviate or

prevent—

(I) unanticipated equipment outages, and

(II) emergencies, directly affecting the public health,

safety, or welfare, which would result from electric power

outages;

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As Amended Through P.L. 115-325, Enacted December 18, 2018

5 Sec. 3FEDERAL POWER ACT

Margin so in law.

So in law. The period probably should be a semicolon.

Margin so in law.

(C)

‘‘qualifying small power production facility’’

means a small power production facility that the Commis-

sion determines, by rule, meets such requirements (includ-

ing requirements respecting fuel use, fuel efficiency, and

reliability) as the Commission may, by rule, prescribe;

(D) ‘‘qualifying small power producer’’ means the owner or op-

erator of a qualifying small power production facility;

(E) ‘‘eligible solar, wind, waste or geothermal facility’’

means a facility which produces electric energy solely by

the use, as a primary energy source, of solar energy, wind

energy, waste resources or geothermal resources; but only

if—

(i) either of the following is submitted to the Com-

mission not later than December 31, 1994:

(I) an application for certification of the facil-

ity as a qualifying small power production facility;

(II) notice that the facility meets the require-

ments for qualification; and

(ii) construction of such facility commences not

later than December 31, 1999, or, if not, reasonable

diligence is exercised toward the completion of such fa-

cility taking into account all factors relevant to con-

struction of the facility.

(18)(A) ‘‘cogeneration facility’’ means a facility which pro-

duces—

(i) electric energy, and

(ii) steam or forms of useful energy (such as heat) which

are used for industrial, commercial, heating, or cooling pur-

poses;

(B)

‘‘qualifying cogeneration facility’’ means a cogen-

eration facility that the Commission determines, by rule,

meets such requirements (including requirements respect-

ing minimum size, fuel use, and fuel efficiency) as the

Commission may, by rule, prescribe;

qualifying cogeneration facility;

(19) ‘‘Federal power marketing agency’’ means any agency or

instrumentality of the United States (other than the Tennessee

Valley Authority) which sells electric energy;

(20) ‘‘evidentiary hearings’’ and ‘‘evidentiary proceeding’’ mean

a proceeding conducted as provided in sections 554, 556, and 557

of title 5, United States Code;

(21) ‘‘State regulatory authority’’ has the same meaning as the

term ‘‘State commission’’, except that in the case of an electric util-

ity with respect to which the Tennessee Valley Authority has rate-

making authority (as defined in section 3 of the Public Utility Reg-

ulatory Policies Act of 1978), such term means the Tennessee Val-

ley Authority;

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As Amended Through P.L. 115-325, Enacted December 18, 2018

6Sec. 4 FEDERAL POWER ACT

(22) E

LECTRIC UTILITY

.—(A) The term ‘‘electric utility’’

means a person or Federal or State agency (including an entity

described in section 201(f)) that sells electric energy.

(B) The term ‘‘electric utility’’ includes the Tennessee Val-

ley Authority and each Federal power marketing administra-

tion.

(23) T

RANSMITTING UTILITY

.—The term ‘‘transmitting util-

ity’’ means an entity (including an entity described in section

201(f)) that owns, operates, or controls facilities used for the

transmission of electric energy—

(A) in interstate commerce;

(B) for the sale of electric energy at wholesale.

(24) W

HOLESALE TRANSMISSION SERVICES

.—The term

‘‘wholesale transmission services’’ means the transmission of

electric energy sold, or to be sold, at wholesale in interstate

commerce.

(25) E

XEMPT WHOLESALE GENERATOR

.—The term ‘‘exempt

wholesale generator’’ shall have the meaning provided by sec-

tion 32 of the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935.

(26) E

LECTRIC COOPERATIVE

.—The term ‘‘electric coopera-

tive’’ means a cooperatively owned electric utility.

(27) RTO.—The term ‘‘Regional Transmission Organiza-

tion’’ or ‘‘RTO’’ means an entity of sufficient regional scope ap-

proved by the Commission—

(A) to exercise operational or functional control of fa-

cilities used for the transmission of electric energy in inter-

state commerce; and

(B) to ensure nondiscriminatory access to the facilities.

(28) ISO.—The term ‘‘Independent System Operator’’ or

‘‘ISO’’ means an entity approved by the Commission—

(A) to exercise operational or functional control of fa-

cilities used for the transmission of electric energy in inter-

state commerce; and

(B) to ensure nondiscriminatory access to the facilities.

(29) T

RANSMISSION ORGANIZATION

.—The term ‘‘Trans-

mission Organization’’ means a Regional Transmission Organi-

zation, Independent System Operator, independent trans-

mission provider, or other transmission organization finally ap-

proved by the Commission for the operation of transmission fa-

cilities.

ø16 U.S.C. 796¿

. 4. The Commission is hereby authorized and empow-

ered—

(a) To make investigations and to collect and record data con-

cerning the utilization of the water resources of any region to be

developed, the water-power industry and its relation to other in-

dustries and to interstate or foreign commerce, and concerning the

location, capacity, development cost, and relation to markets of

power sites, and whether the power from Government dams can be

advantageously used by the United States for its public purposes,

and what is a fair value of such power, to the extent the Commis-

sion may deem necessary or useful for the purposes of this Act.

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As Amended Through P.L. 115-325, Enacted December 18, 2018

7 Sec. 4FEDERAL POWER ACT

(b) To determine the actual legitimate original cost of and the

net investment in a licensed project, and to aid the Commission in

such determinations, each licensee shall, upon oath, within a rea-

sonable period of time to be fixed by the Commission, after the con-

struction of the original project or any addition thereto or better-

ment thereof, file with the Commission in such detail as the Com-

mission may require, a statement in duplicate showing the actual

legitimate original cost of construction of such project, addition, or

betterment, and of the price paid for water rights, rights-of-way,

lands, or interest in lands. The licensee shall grant to the Commis-

sion or to its duly authorized agent or agents, at all reasonable

times, free access to such project, addition, or betterment, and to

all maps, profiles, contracts, reports of engineers, accounts, books,

records, and all other papers and documents relating thereto. The

statement of actual legitimate original cost of said project, and re-

visions thereof as determined by the Commission, shall be filed

with the Secretary of the Treasury.

agencies of State or National Governments in such investigations;

and for such purpose the several departments and agencies of the

National Government are authorized and directed upon the request

of the Commission to furnish such records, papers, and information

in their possession as may be requested by the Commission, and

temporarily to detail to the Commission such officers or experts as

may be necessary in such investigations.

(d) To make public from time to time the information secured

hereunder and to provide for the publication of its reports and in-

vestigations in such form and manner as may be best adapted for

public information and use. The Commission, on or before the 3d

day of January of each year, shall submit to Congress for the fiscal

year preceding a classified report showing the permits and licenses

issued under this Part, and in each case the parties thereto, the

terms prescribed, and the moneys received if any, on account there-

of.

(e) To issue licenses to citizens of the United States, or to any

association of such citizens, or to any corporation organized under

the laws of the United States or any State thereof, or to any State

or municipality for the purpose of constructing, operating, and

maintaining dams, water conduits, reservoirs, power houses, trans-

mission lines, or other project works necessary or convenient for

the development and improvement of navigation and for the devel-

opment, transmission, and utilization of power across, along, from

or in any of the streams or other bodies of water over which Con-

gress has jurisdiction under its authority to regulate commerce

with foreign nations and among the several States, or upon any

part of the public lands and reservations of the United States (in-

cluding the Territories), or for the purpose of utilizing the surplus

water or water power from any Government dam, except as herein

provided: Provided, That licenses shall be issued within any res-

ervation only after a finding by the Commission that the license

will not interfere or be inconsistent with the purpose for which

such reservation was created or acquired, and shall be subject to

and contain such conditions as the Secretary of the department

under whose supervision such reservation falls shall deem nec-

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As Amended Through P.L. 115-325, Enacted December 18, 2018

8Sec. 4 FEDERAL POWER ACT

The amendment made by section 241(a) of Public Law 109–58 to insert after ‘‘adequate pro-

tection and utilization of such reservation.’’ at the end of the first proviso the following: ‘‘The

license applicant and any party to the proceeding shall be entitled to a determination on the

record, after opportunity for an agency trial-type hearing of no more than 90 days, on any dis-

puted issues of material fact with respect to such conditions. All disputed issues of material fact

raised by any party shall be determined in a single trial-type hearing to be conducted by the

relevant resource agency in accordance with the regulations promulgated under this subsection

and within the time frame established by the Commission for each license proceeding. Within

90 days of the date of enactment of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, the Secretaries of the Inte-

rior, Commerce, and Agriculture shall establish jointly, by rule, the procedures for such expe-

dited trial-type hearing, including the opportunity to undertake discovery and cross-examine

witnesses, in consultation with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.’’ could not be exe-

cuted because the instruction probably should not have included a period in the quoted matter

relating to the place where such languange is to be inserted. Also, the period that appears at

the end of the matter purported to be inserted should not include a period.

essary for the adequate protection and utilization of such reserva-

tion:

Provided further, That no license affecting the navigable ca-

pacity of any navigable waters of the United States shall be issued

until the plans of the dam or other structures affecting navigation

have been approved by the Chief of Engineers and the Secretary

of the Army. Whenever the contemplated improvement is, in the

judgment of the Commission, desirable and justified in the public

interest for the purpose of improving or developing a waterway or

waterways for the use or benefit of interstate or foreign commerce,

a finding to that effect shall be made by the Commission and shall

become a part of the records of the Commission: Provided further,

That in case the Commission shall find that any Government dam

may be advantageously used by the United States for public pur-

poses in addition to navigation, no license therefor shall be issued

until two years after it shall have reported to Congress the facts

and conditions relating thereto, except that this provision shall not

apply to any Government dam constructed prior to June 10, 1920:

And provided further, That upon the filing of any application for

a license which has not been preceded by a preliminary permit

under subsection (f) of this section, notice shall be given and pub-

lished as required by the proviso of said subsection. In deciding

whether to issue any license under this Part for any project, the

Commission, in addition to the power and development purposes

for which licenses are issued, shall give equal consideration to the

purposes of energy conservation, the protection, mitigation of dam-

age to, and enhancement of, fish and wildlife (including related

spawning grounds and habitat), the protection of recreational op-

portunities, and the preservation of other aspects of environmental

quality.

(f) To issue preliminary permits for the purpose of enabling ap-

plicants for a license hereunder to secure the data and to perform

the acts required by section 9 hereof: Provided, however, That upon

the filing of any application for a preliminary permit by any per-

son, association or corporation the Commission, before granting

such application, shall at once give notice of such application in

writing to any State or municipality likely to be interested in or af-

fected by such application; and shall also publish notice of such ap-

plication once each week for four weeks in a daily or weekly news-

paper published in the county or counties in which the project or

any part thereof or the lands affected thereby are situated.

(g) Upon its own motion to order an investigation of any occu-

pancy of, or evidenced intention to occupy, for the purpose of devel-

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As Amended Through P.L. 115-325, Enacted December 18, 2018

9 Sec. 7FEDERAL POWER ACT

oping electric power, public lands, reservations, or streams or other

bodies of water over which Congress has jurisdiction under its au-

thority to regulate commerce with foreign nations and among the

several States by any person, corporation, state or municipality and

to issue such order as it may find appropriate, expedient, and in

the public interest to conserve and utilize the navigation and

water-power resources of the region.

ø16 U.S.C. 797¿

. 5. (a) Each preliminary permit issued under this Part

shall be for the sole purpose of maintaining priority of application

for a license under the terms of this Act for such period or periods,

not exceeding a total of 4 years, as in the discretion of the Commis-

sion may be necessary for making examinations and surveys, for

preparing maps, plans, specifications, and estimates, and for mak-

ing financial arrangements.

(b) The Commission may—

(1) extend the period of a preliminary permit once for not

more than 4 additional years beyond the 4 years permitted by

subsection (a) if the Commission finds that the permittee has

carried out activities under such permit in good faith and with

reasonable diligence; and

(2) after the end of an extension period granted under

paragraph (1), issue an additional permit to the permittee if

the Commission determines that there are extraordinary cir-

cumstances that warrant the issuance of the additional permit.

priority shall be maintained.

(d) Such permits shall not be transferable, and may be can-

celed by order of the Commission upon failure of permittees to com-

ply with the conditions thereof or for other good cause shown after

notice and opportunity for hearing.

ø16 U.S.C. 798¿

. 6. Licenses under this Part shall be issued for a period

not exceeding fifty years. Each such license shall be conditioned

upon acceptance by the licensee of all the terms and conditions of

this Act and such further conditions, if any, as the Commission

shall prescribe in conformity with this Act, which said terms and

conditions and the acceptance thereof shall be expressed in said li-

cense. Licenses may be revoked only for the reasons and in the

manner prescribed under the provisions of this Act, and may be al-

tered or surrendered only upon mutual agreement between the li-

censee and the Commission after thirty days’ public notice.

ø16 U.S.C. 799¿

. 7. (a) In issuing preliminary permits hereunder or origi-

nal licenses where no preliminary permit has been issued, the

Commission shall give preference to applications therefor by

States, Indian tribes, and municipalities, provided the plans for the

same are deemed by the Commission equally well adapted, or shall

within a reasonable time to be fixed by the Commission be made

equally well adapted, to conserve and utilize in the public interest

the water resources of the region; and as between other applicants,

the Commission may give preference to the applicant the plans of

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As Amended Through P.L. 115-325, Enacted December 18, 2018

10Sec. 8 FEDERAL POWER ACT

Note also that the act of Mar. 3, 1921 (41 Stat. 1353), reads as follows:

‘‘ Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America

in Congress assembled, That hereafter no permit, license, lease, or authorization for dams, con-

duits, reservoirs, power houses, transmission lines or other works for storage or carriage of

water, or for the development, transmission, or utilization of power within the limits as now

constituted of any national park or national monument shall be granted or made without spe-

cific authority of Congress, and so much of the Act of Congress approved June 10, 1920, entitled

‘An Act to create a Federal Power Commission; to provide for the improvement of navigation;

the development of water power; the use of the public lands in relation thereto; and to repeal

section 18 of the River and Harbor Appropriation Act, approved August 8, 1917, and for other

purposes’, approved June 10, 1920, as authorizes licensing such uses of existing national parks

and national monuments by the Federal Power Commission is hereby repealed.’’

which it finds and determines are best adapted to develop, con-

serve, and utilize in the public interest the water resources of the

region, if it be satisfied as to the ability of the applicant to carry

out such plans.

(b) Whenever, in the judgment of the Commission, the develop-

ment of any water resources for public purposes should be under-

taken by the United States itself, the Commission shall not ap-

prove any application for any project affecting such development,

but shall cause to be made such examinations, surveys, reports,

plans, and estimates of the cost of the proposed development as it

may find necessary, and shall submit its findings to Congress with

such recommendations as it may find appropriate concerning such

development.

Commission determines that the United States should exercise its

right upon or after the expiration of any license to take over any

project or projects for public purposes, the Commission shall not

issue a new license to the original licensee or to a new licensee but

shall submit its recommendation to Congress together with such

information as it may consider appropriate.

ø16 U.S.C. 800¿

. 8. That no voluntary transfer of any license, or of the

rights thereunder granted, shall be made without the written ap-

proval of the commission; and any successor or assign of the rights

of such licensee, whether by voluntary transfer, judicial sale, fore-

closure sale, or otherwise, shall be subject to all the conditions of

the license under which such rights are held by such licensee and

also subject to all the provisions and conditions of this Act to the

same extent as though such successor as assign were the original

licensee hereunder: Provided, That a mortgage or trust deed or ju-

dicial sales made thereunder or under tax sales shall not be

deemed voluntary transfers within the meaning of this section.

ø16 U.S.C. 801¿

. 9.

(a) That each applicant for a license hereunder shall

submit to the Commission—

(1) Such maps, plans, specifications, and estimates of cost as

may be required for a full understanding of the proposed project.

Such maps, plans, and specifications when approved by the com-

mission shall be made a part of the license; and thereafter no

change shall be made in said maps, plans, or specifications until

such changes shall have been approved and made a part of such

license by the Commission.

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11 Sec. 10FEDERAL POWER ACT

(2) Satisfactory evidence that the applicant has complied with

the requirements of the laws of the State or States within which

the proposed project is to be located with respect to bed and banks

and to the appropriation, diversion, and use of water for power pur-

poses and with respect to the right to engage in the business of de-

veloping, transmitting, and distributing power, and in any other

business necessary to effect the purposes of a license under this

Act.

(c)

Such additional information as the commission may re-

quire.

(b) Upon the filing of any application for a license (other than

a license under section 15) the applicant shall make a good faith

effort to notify each of the following by certified mail:

(1) Any person who is an owner of record of any interest

in the property within the bounds of the project.

(2) Any Federal, State, municipal or other local govern-

mental agency likely to be interested in or affected by such ap-

plication.

ø16 U.S.C. 802¿

. 10. All licenses issued under this Part shall be on the fol-

lowing conditions:

(a)(1) That the project adopted, including the maps, plans, and

specifications, shall be such as in the judgment of the Commission

will be best adapted to a comprehensive plan for improving or de-

veloping a waterway or waterways for the use or benefit of inter-

state or foreign commerce, for the improvement and utilization of

waterpower development, for the adequate protection, mitigation,

and enhancement of fish and wildlife (including related spawning

grounds and habitat), and for other beneficial public uses, including

irrigation, flood control, water supply, and recreational and other

purposes referred to in section 4(e); and if necessary in order to se-

cure such plan the Commission shall have authority to require the

modification of any project and of the plans and specifications of

the project works before approval.

(2) In order to ensure that the project adopted will be best

adapted to the comprehensive plan described in paragraph (1), the

Commission shall consider each of the following:

(A) The extent to which the project is consistent with a

comprehensive plan (where one exists) for improving, devel-

oping, or conserving a waterway or waterways affected by the

project that is prepared by—

(i) an agency established pursuant to Federal law that

has the authority to prepare such a plan; or

(ii) the State in which the facility is or will be located.

(B) The recommendations of Federal and State agencies

exercising administration over flood control, navigation, irriga-

tion, recreation, cultural and other relevant resources of the

State in which the project is located, and the recommendations

(including fish and wildlife recommendations) of Indian tribes

affected by the project.

plicant which is primarily engaged in the generation or sale of

electric power (other than electric power solely from cogenera-

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12Sec. 10 FEDERAL POWER ACT

tion facilities or small power production facilities), the elec-

tricity consumption efficiency improvement program of the ap-

plicant, including its plans, performance and capabilities for

encouraging or assisting its customers to conserve electricity

cost-effectively, taking into account the published policies, re-

strictions, and requirements of relevant State regulatory au-

thorities applicable to such applicant.

(3) Upon receipt of an application for a license, the Commission

shall solicit recommendations from the agencies and Indian tribes

identified in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (2) for pro-

posed terms and conditions for the Commission’s consideration for

inclusion in the license.

(b) That except when emergency shall require for the protec-

tion of navigation, life, health, or property, no substantial alter-

ation or addition not in conformity with the approved plans shall

be made to any dam or other project works constructed hereunder

of an installed capacity in excess of two thousand horsepower with-

out the prior approval of the Commission; and any emergency al-

teration or addition so made shall thereafter be subject to such

modification and change as the Commission may direct.

dition or repair adequate for the purposes of navigation and for the

efficient operation of said works in the development and trans-

mission of power, shall make all necessary renewals and replace-

ments, shall establish and maintain adequate depreciation reserves

for such purposes, shall so maintain and operate said works as not

to impair navigation, and shall conform to such rules and regula-

tions as the Commission may from time to time prescribe for the

protection of life, health, and property. Each licensee hereunder

shall be liable for all damages occasioned to the property of others

by the construction, maintenance, or operation of the project works

or of the works appurtenant or accessory thereto, constructed

under the license, and in no event shall the United States be liable

therefor.

(d) That after the first twenty years of operation, out of surplus

earned thereafter, if any, accumulated in excess of a specified rea-

sonable rate of return upon the net investment of a licensee in any

project or projects, under license, the licensee shall establish and

maintain amortization reserves, which reserves shall, in the discre-

tion of the Commission, be held until the termination of the license

or be applied from time to time in reduction of the net investment.

Such specified rate of return and the proportion of such surplus

earnings to be paid into and held in such reserves shall be set forth

in the license. For any new license issued under section 15, the am-

ortization reserves under this subsection shall be maintained on

and after the effective date of such new license.

(e)(1) That the licensee shall pay to the United States reason-

able annual charges in an amount to be fixed by the Commission

for the purpose of reimbursing the United States for the costs of

the administration of this Part, including any reasonable and nec-

essary costs incurred by Federal and State fish and wildlife agen-

cies and other natural and cultural resource agencies in connection

with studies or other reviews carried out by such agencies for pur-

poses of administering their responsibilities under this part; for

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13 Sec. 10FEDERAL POWER ACT

recompensing it for the use, occupancy, and enjoyment of its lands

or other property; and for the expropriation to the Government of

excessive profits until the respective States shall make provision

for preventing excessive profits or for the expropriation thereof to

themselves, or until the period of amortization as herein provided

is reached, and in fixing such charges the Commission shall seek

to avoid increasing the price to the consumers of power by such

charges, and any such charges may be adjusted from time to time

by the Commission as conditions may require: Provided, That, sub-

ject to annual appropriations Acts, the portion of such annual

charges imposed by the Commission under this subsection to cover

the reasonable and necessary costs of such agencies shall be avail-

able to such agencies (in addition to other funds appropriated for

such purposes) solely for carrying out such studies and reviews and

shall remain available until expended: Provided, That when li-

censes are issued involving the use of Government dams or other

structures owned by the United States or tribal lands embraced

within Indian reservations the Commission shall, subject to the ap-

proval of the Secretary of the Interior in the case of such dams or

structures in reclamation projects and, in the case of such tribal

lands, subject to the approval of the Indian tribe having jurisdic-

tion of such lands as provided in section 16 of the Act of June 18,

1934 (48 Stat. 984), fix a reasonable annual charge for the use

thereof, and such charges may with like approval be readjusted by

the Commission at the end of twenty years after the project is

available for service and at periods of not less than ten years there-

after upon notice and opportunity for hearing: Provided further,

That licenses for the development, transmission, or distribution of

power by States or municipalities shall be issued and enjoyed with-

out charge to the extent such power is sold to the public without

profit or is used by such State or municipality for State or munic-

ipal purposes, except that as to projects constructed or to be con-

structed by States or municipalities primarily designed to provide

or improve navigation, licenses therefor shall be issued without

charge; and that licenses for the development, transmission, or dis-

tribution of power for domestic, mining, or other beneficial use in

projects of not more than two thousand horsepower installed capac-

ity may be issued without charges, except on tribal lands within In-

dian reservations; but in no case shall a license be issued free of

charge for the development and utilization of power created by any

Government dam and that the amount charged therefor in any li-

cense shall be such as determined by the Commission : Provided

however, That no charge shall be assessed for the use of any Gov-

ernment dam or structure by any licensee if, before January 1,

1985, the Secretary of the Interior has entered into a contract with

such licensee that meets each of the following requirements:

(A) The contract covers one or more projects for which a

license was issued by the Commission before January 1, 1985.

(B) The contract contains provisions specifically providing

each of the following:

(i) A powerplant may be built by the licensee utilizing

irrigation facilities constructed by the United States.

(ii) The powerplant shall remain in the exclusive con-

trol, possession, and ownership of the licensee concerned.

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14Sec. 10 FEDERAL POWER ACT

(iii) All revenue from the powerplant and from the use,

sale, or disposal of electric energy from the powerplant

shall be, and remain, the property of such licensee.

placement contract between the United States and: (i) the

Quincy-Columbia Basin Irrigation District (Contract No. 14–

06–100–6418); (ii) the East Columbia Basin Irrigation District

(Contract No. 14–06–100–6419); or, (iii) the South Columbia

Basin Irrigation District (Contract No. 14–06–100–6420).

This paragraph shall apply to any project covered by a contract re-

ferred to in this paragraph only during the term of such contract

unless otherwise provided by subsequent Act of Congress. In the

event an overpayment of any charge due under this section shall

be made by a licensee, the Commission is authorized to allow a

credit for such overpayment when charges are due for any subse-

quent period.

(2) In the case of licenses involving the use of Government

dams or other structures owned by the United States, the charges

fixed (or readjusted) by the Commission under paragraph (1) for

the use of such dams or structures shall not exceed 1 mill per kilo-

watt-hour for the first 40 gigawatt-hours of energy a project pro-

duces in any year, 1

⁄

mills per kilowatt-hour for over 40 up to and

including 80 gigawatt-hours in any year, and 2 mills per kilowatt-

hour for any energy the project produces over 80 gigawatt-hours in

any year. Except as provided in subsection (f), such charge shall be

the only charge assessed by any agency of the United States for the

use of such dams or structures.

(3) The provisions of paragraph (2) shall apply with respect

to—

(A) all licenses issued after the date of the enactment of

this paragraph; and

(B) all licenses issued before such date which—

(i) did not fix a specific charge for the use of the Gov-

ernment dam or structure involved; and

(ii) did not specify that no charge would be fixed for

the use of such dam or structure.

(4) Every 5 years, the Commission shall review the appro-

priateness of the annual charge limitations provided for in this

subsection and report to Congress concerning its recommendations

thereon.

(f) That whenever any licensee hereunder is directly benefited

by the construction work of another licensee, a permittee, or of the

United States of a storage reservoir or other headwater improve-

ment, the Commission shall require as a condition of the license

that the licensee so benefited shall reimburse the owner of such

reservoir or other improvements for such part of the annual

charges for interest, maintenance, and depreciation thereon as the

Commission may deem equitable. The proportion of such charges to

be paid by any licensee shall be determined by the Commission.

The licensees or permittees affected shall pay to the United States

the cost of making such determination as fixed by the Commission.

Whenever such reservoir or other improvement is constructed

by the United States the Commission shall assess similar charges

against any licensee directly benefited thereby, and any amount so

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15 Sec. 10FEDERAL POWER ACT

assessed shall be paid into the Treasury of the United States, to

be reserved and appropriated as a part of the special fund for head-

water improvements as provided in section 17 hereof.

Whenever any power project not under license is benefited by

the construction work of a licensee or permittee, the United States

or any agency thereof, the Commission, after notice to the owner

or owners of such unlicensed project, shall determine and fix a rea-

sonable and equitable annual charge to be paid to the licensee or

permittee on account of such benefits, or to the United States if it

be the owner of such headwater improvement.

(g) Such other conditions not inconsistent with the provisions

of this Act as the Commission may require.

(h)(1) That combinations, agreements, arrangements, or under-

standings, express or implied, to limit the output of electrical en-

ergy, to restrain trade, or to fix, maintain, or increase prices for

electrical energy or service are hereby prohibited.

(2) That conduct under the license that: (A) results in the con-

travention of the policies expressed in the antitrust laws; and (B)

is not otherwise justified by the public interest considering regu-

latory policies expressed in other applicable law (including but not

limited to those contained in Part II of this Act) shall be prevented

or adequately minimized by means of conditions included in the li-

cense prior to its issuance. In the event it is impossible to prevent

or adequately minimize the contravention, the Commission shall

refuse to issue any license to the applicant for the project and, in

the case of an existing project, shall take appropriate action to pro-

vide thereafter for the operation and maintenance of the affected

project and for the issuing of a new license in accordance with sec-

tion 15 of this Part.

(i) In issuing licenses for a minor part only of a complete

project, or for a complete project of not more than two thousand

horsepower installed capacity, the Commission may in its discre-

tion waive such conditions, provisions, and requirements of this

Part, except the license period of fifty years, as it may deem to be

to the public interest to waive under the circumstances: Provided,

That the provision hereof shall not apply annual charges for use of

lands within Indian reservations.

(j)(1) That in order to adequately and equitably protect, miti-

gate damages to, and enhance, fish and wildlife (including related

spawning grounds and habitat) affected by the development, oper-

ation, and management of the project, each license issued under

this Part shall include conditions for such protection, mitigation,

and enhancement. Subject to paragraph (2), such conditions shall

be based on recommendations received pursuant to the Fish and

Wildlife Coordination Act (16 U.S.C. 661 et seq.) from the National

Marine Fisheries Service, the United States Fish and Wildlife Serv-

ice, and State fish and wildlife agencies.

(2) Whenever the Commission believes that any recommenda-

tion referred to in paragraph (1) may be inconsistent with the pur-

poses and requirements of this Part or other applicable law, the

Commission and the agencies referred to in paragraph (1) shall at-

tempt to resolve any such inconsistency, giving due weight to the

recommendations, expertise, and statutory responsibilities of such

agencies. If, after such attempt, the Commission does not adopt in

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16Sec. 11 FEDERAL POWER ACT

whole or in part a recommendation of any such agency, the Com-

mission shall publish each of the following findings (together with

a statement of the basis for each of the findings):

(A) A finding that adoption of such recommendation is in-

consistent with the purposes and requirements of this Part or

with other applicable provisions of law.

(B) A finding that the conditions selected by the Commis-

sion comply with the requirements of paragraph (1).

Subsection (i) shall not apply to the conditions required under this

subsection.

ø16 U.S.C. 803¿

. 11. That if the dam or other project works are to be con-

structed across, along, or in any of the navigable waters of the

United States, the Commission may, insofar as it deems the same

reasonably necessary to promote the present and future needs of

navigation and consistent with a reasonable investment cost to the

licensee, include in the license any one or more of the following

provisions or requirements:

(a) That such licensee shall, to the extent necessary to preserve

and improve navigation facilities, construct, in whole or in part,

without expense to the United States, in connection with such dam,

a lock or locks, booms, sluices, or other structures for navigation

purposes, in accordance with plans and specifications approved by

the Chief of Engineers and the Secretary of the Army and made

part of such license.

(b) That in case such structures for navigation purposes are

not made a part of the original construction at the expense of the

licensee, then whenever the United States shall desire to complete

such navigation facilities the licensee shall convey to the United

States, free of cost, such of its land and its rights of way and such

right of passage through its dams or other structures, and permit

such control of pools as may be required to complete such naviga-

tion facilities.

States power for the operation of such navigation facilities, whether

constructed by the licensee or by the United States.

ø16 U.S.C. 804¿

. 12. That whenever application is filed for a project here-

under involving navigable waters of the United States, and the

commission shall find upon investigation that the needs of naviga-

tion require the construction of a lock or locks or other navigation

structures, and that such structures can not, consistent with a rea-

sonable investment cost to the applicant, be provided in the man-

ner specified in section 11, subsection (a) hereof, the commission

may grant the application with the provision to be expressed in the

license that the licensee will install the necessary navigation struc-

tures if the Government fails to make provision therefor within a

time to be fixed in the license and cause a report upon such project

to be prepared, with estimates of cost of the power development

and of the navigation structures, and shall submit such report to

Congress with such recommendations as it deems appropriate con-

cerning the participation of the United States in the cost of con-

struction of such navigation structures.

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17 Sec. 14FEDERAL POWER ACT

ø16 U.S.C. 805¿

. 13. That the licensee shall commence the construction of

the project works within the time fixed in the license, which shall

not be more than two years from the date thereof, shall thereafter

in good faith and with due diligence prosecute such construction,

and shall within the time fixed in the license complete and put into

operation such part of the ultimate development as the Commis-

sion shall deem necessary to supply the reasonable needs of the

then available market, and shall from time to time thereafter con-

struct such portion of the balance of such development as the Com-

mission may direct, so as to supply adequately the reasonable mar-

ket demands until such development shall have been completed.

The periods for the commencement of construction may be ex-

tended for not more than 8 additional years, and the period for the

completion of construction carried on in good faith and with reason-

able diligence may be extended by the Commission when not in-

compatible with the public interests. In case the licensee shall not

commence actual construction of the project works, or of any speci-

fied part thereof, within the time prescribed in the license or as ex-

tended by the commission, then, after due notice given, the license

shall, as to such project works or part thereof, be terminated upon

written order of the Commission. In case the construction of the

project works, or of any specified part thereof, have been begun but

not completed within the time prescribed in the license, or as ex-

tended by the commission, then the Attorney General, upon the re-

quest of the Commission, shall institute proceedings in equity in

the district court of the United States for the district in which any

part of the project is situated for the revocation of said license, the

sale of the works constructed, and such other equitable relief as the

case may demand, as provided for in section 26 hereof.

ø16 U.S.C. 806¿

. 14. (a) Upon not less than two years’ notice in writing

from the Commission the United States shall have the right upon

or after the expiration of any license to take over and thereafter

to maintain and operate any project or projects as defined in sec-

tion 3 hereof, and covered in whole or in part by the license, or the

right to take over upon mutual agreement with the licensee, all

property owned and held by the licensee then valuable and service-

able in the development, transmission, or distribution of power and

which is then dependent for its usefulness upon the continuance of

the license, together with any lock or locks or other aids to naviga-

tion constructed at the expense of the licensee, upon the condition

that before taking possession it shall pay the net investment of the

licensee in the project or projects taken, not to exceed the fair value

of the property taken, plus such reasonable damages, if any, to

property of the licensee valuable, serviceable, and dependent as

above set forth but not taken, as may be caused by the severance

therefrom of property taken, and shall assume all contracts entered

into by the licensee with the approval of the Commission. The net

investment of the licensee in the project or projects so taken and

the amount of such severance damages, if any, shall be determined

by the Commission after notice and opportunity for hearing. Such

net investment shall not include or be affected by the value of any

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18Sec. 15 FEDERAL POWER ACT

So in original. Probably should be ‘‘it’’.

lands, rights-of-way, or other property of the United States licensed

by the Commission under this Act, by the license or by good will,

going value, or prospective revenues; nor shall the values allowed

for water rights, rights-of-way, lands, or interest in lands be in ex-

cess of the actual reasonable cost thereof at the time of acquisition

by the licensee: Provided, That the right of the United States or

any State or municipality to take over, maintain, and operate any

project licensed under this Act at any time by condemnation pro-

ceedings upon payment of just compensation is hereby expressly re-

served.

(b) In any relicensing proceeding before the Commission any

Federal department or agency may timely recommend, pursuant to

such rules as the Commission shall prescribe, that the United

States exercise its right to take over any project or projects. There-

after, the Commission, if its

does not itself recommend such action

pursuant to the provisions of section 7(c) of this part, shall upon

motion of such department or agency stay the effective date of any

order issuing a license, except an order issuing an annual license

in accordance with the proviso of section 15(a), for two years after

the date of issuance of such order, after which period the stay shall

terminate, unless terminated earlier upon motion of the depart-

ment or agency requesting the stay or by action of Congress. The

Commission shall notify the Congress of any stay granted pursuant

to this subsection.

ø16 U.S.C. 807¿

. 15. (a)(1) That if the United States does not, at the expi-

ration of the existing license, exercise its right to take over, main-

tain, and operate any project or projects of the licensee, as provided

in section 14 hereof, the commission is authorized to issue a new

license to the existing licensee upon such terms and conditions as

may be authorized or required under the then existing laws and

regulations, or to issue a new license under said terms and condi-

tions to a new licensee, which license may cover any project or

projects covered by the existing license, and shall be issued on the

condition that the new licensee shall, before taking possession of

such project or projects, pay such amount, and assume such con-

tracts as the United States is required to do, in the manner speci-

fied in Section 14 hereof: Provided, That in the event the United

States does not exercise the right to take over or does not issue a

license to a new licensee, or issue a new license to the existing li-

censee, upon reasonable terms, then the commission shall issue

from year to year an annual license to the then licensee under the

terms and conditions of the existing license until the property is

taken over or a new license is issued as aforesaid.

(2) Any new license issued under this section shall be issued

to the applicant having the final proposal which the Commission

determines is best adapted to serve the public interest, except that

in making this determination the Commission shall ensure that in-

significant differences with regard to subparagraphs (A) through

(G) of this paragraph between competing applications are not de-

terminative and shall not result in the transfer of a project. In

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19 Sec. 15FEDERAL POWER ACT

making a determination under this section (whether or not more

than one application is submitted for the project), the Commission

shall, in addition to the requirements of section 10 of this Part,

consider (and explain such consideration in writing) each of the fol-

lowing:

(A) The plans and abilities of the applicant to comply with

(i) the articles, terms, and conditions of any license issued to

it and (ii) other applicable provisions of this Part.

(B) The plans of the applicant to manage, operate, and

maintain the project safely.

maintain the project in a manner most likely to provide effi-

cient and reliable electric service.

(D) The need of the applicant over the short and long term

for the electricity generated by the project or projects to serve

its customers, including, among other relevant considerations,

the reasonable costs and reasonable availability of alternative

sources of power, taking into consideration conservation and

other relevant factors and taking into consideration the effect

on the provider (including its customers) of the alternative

source of power, the effect on the applicant’s operating and

load characteristics, the effect on communities served or to be

served by the project, and in the case of an applicant using

power for the applicant’s own industrial facility and related op-

erations, the effect on the operation and efficiency of such facil-

ity or related operations, its workers, and the related commu-

nity. In the case of an applicant that is an Indian tribe apply-

ing for a license for a project located on the tribal reservation,

a statement of the need of such tribe for electricity generated

by the project to foster the purposes of the reservation may be

included.

(E) The existing and planned transmission services of the

applicant, taking into consideration system reliability, costs,

and other applicable economic and technical factors.

(F) Whether the plans of the applicant will be achieved, to

the greatest extent possible, in a cost effective manner.

(G) Such other factors as the Commission may deem rel-

evant, except that the terms and conditions in the license for

the protection, mitigation, or enhancement of fish and wildlife

resources affected by the development, operation, and manage-

ment of the project shall be determined in accordance with sec-

tion 10, and the plans of an applicant concerning fish and wild-

life shall not be subject to a comparative evaluation under this

subsection.

(3) In the case of an application by the existing licensee, the

Commission shall also take into consideration each of the following:

(A) The existing licensee’s record of compliance with the

terms and conditions of the existing license.

(B) The actions taken by the existing licensee related to

the project which affect the public.

(b)(1) Each existing licensee shall notify the Commission

whether the licensee intends to file an application for a new license

or not. Such notice shall be submitted at least 5 years before the

expiration of the existing license.

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20Sec. 15 FEDERAL POWER ACT

(2) At the time notice is provided under paragraph (1), the ex-

isting licensee shall make each of the following reasonably avail-

able to the public for inspection at the offices of such licensee: cur-

rent maps, drawings, data, and such other information as the Com-

mission shall, by rule, require regarding the construction and oper-

ation of the license project. Such information shall include, to the

greatest extent practicable pertinent energy conservation, recre-

ation, fish and wildlife, and other environmental information. Cop-

ies of the information shall be made available at reasonable costs

of reproduction. Within 180 days after the enactment of the Elec-

tric Consumers Protection Act of 1986, the Commission shall pro-

mulgate regulations regarding the information to be provided

under this paragraph.

(3) Promptly following receipt of notice under paragraph (1),

the Commission shall provide public notice of whether an existing

licensee intends to file or not to file an application for a new li-

cense. The Commission shall also promptly notify the National Ma-

rine Fisheries Service and the United States Fish and Wildlife

Service, and the appropriate State fish and wildlife agencies.

(4) The Commission shall require the applicant to identify any

Federal or Indian lands included in the project boundary, together

with a statement of the annual fees paid as required by this Part

for such lands, and to provide such additional information as the

Commission deems appropriate to carry out the Commission’s re-

sponsibilities under this section.

(c)(1) Each application for a new license pursuant to this sec-

tion shall be filed with the Commission at least 24 months before

the expiration of the term of the existing license. Each applicant

shall consult with the fish and wildlife agencies referred to in sub-

section (b) and, as appropriate, conduct studies with such agencies.

Within 60 days after the statutory deadline for the submission of

applications, the Commission shall issue a notice establishing expe-

ditious procedures for relicensing and a deadline for submission of

final amendments, if any, to the application.

(2) The time periods specified in this subsection and in sub-

section (b) shall be adjusted, in a manner that achieves the objec-

tives of this section, by the Commission by rule or order with re-

spect to existing licensees who, by reason of the expiration dates

of their licenses, are unable to comply with a specified time period.

(d)(1) In evaluating applications for new licenses pursuant to

this section, the Commission shall not consider whether an appli-

cant has adequate transmission facilities with regard to the project.

(2) When the Commission issues a new license (pursuant to

this section) to an applicant which is not the existing licensee of

the project and finds that it is not feasible for the new licensee to

utilize the energy from such project without provision by the exist-

ing licensee of reasonable services, including transmission services,

the Commission shall give notice to the existing licensee and the

new licensee to immediately enter into negotiations for such serv-

ices and the costs demonstrated by the existing licensee as being

related to the provision of such services. It is the intent of the Con-

gress that such negotiations be carried out in good faith and that

a timely agreement be reached between the parties in order to fa-

cilitate the transfer of the license by the date established when the

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As Amended Through P.L. 115-325, Enacted December 18, 2018

21 Sec. 15FEDERAL POWER ACT

Commission issued the new license. If such parties do not notify

the Commission that within the time established by the Commis-

sion in such notice (and if appropriate, in the judgment of the Com-

mission, one 45-day extension thereof), a mutually satisfactory ar-

rangement for such services that is consistent with the provisions

of this Act has been executed, the Commission shall order the ex-

isting licensee to file (pursuant to section 205 of this Act) with the

Commission a tariff, subject to refund, ensuring such services be-

ginning on the date of transfer of the project and including just and

reasonable rates and reasonable terms and conditions. After notice

and opportunity for a hearing, the Commission shall issue a final

order adopting or modifying such tariff for such services at just and

reasonable rates in accordance with section 205 of this Act and in

accordance with reasonable terms and conditions. The Commission,

in issuing such order, shall ensure the services necessary for the

full and efficient utilization and benefits for the license term of the

electric energy from the project by the new licensee in accordance

with the license and this Part, except that in issuing such order the

Commission—

(A) shall not compel the existing licensee to enlarge gener-

ating facilities, transmit electric energy other than to the dis-

tribution system (providing service to customers) of the new li-

censee identified as of the date one day preceding the date of

license award, or require the acquisition of new facilities, in-

cluding the upgrading of existing facilities other than any rea-

sonable enhancement or improvement of existing facilities con-

trolled by the existing licensee (including any acquisition re-

lated to such enhancement or improvement) necessary to carry

out the purposes of this paragraph;

(B) shall not adversely affect the continuity and reliability

of service to the customers of the existing licensee;

the transmission and electric systems of the existing licensee;

(D) shall not cause any reasonably quantifiable increase in

the jurisdictional rates of the existing licensee; and

(E) shall not order any entity other than the existing li-

censee to provide transmission or other services.

Such order shall be for such period as the Commission deems ap-

propriate, not to exceed the term of the license. At any time, the

Commission, upon its own motion or upon a petition by the existing

or new licensee and after notice and opportunity for a hearing, may

modify, extend, or terminate such order.

(e) Except for an annual license, any license issued by the

Commission under this section shall be for a term which the Com-

mission determines to be in the public interest but not less than

30 years, nor more than 50 years, from the date on which the li-

cense is issued.

(f) In issuing any license under this section except an annual

license, the Commission, on its own motion or upon application of

any licensee, person, State, municipality, or State commission,

after notice to each State commission and licensee affected, and

after opportunity for hearing, whenever it finds that in conformity

with a comprehensive plan for improving or developing a waterway

or waterways for beneficial public uses all or part of any licensed

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22Sec. 16 FEDERAL POWER ACT

project should no longer be used or adapted for use for power pur-

poses, may license all or part of the project works for nonpower

use. A license for nonpower use shall be issued to a new licensee

only on the condition that the new licensee shall, before taking pos-

session of the facilities encompassed thereunder, pay such amount

and assume such contracts as the United States is required to do,

in the manner specified in section 14 hereof. Any license for

nonpower use shall be a temporary license. Whenever, in the judg-

ment of the Commission, a State, municipality, interstate agency,

or another Federal agency is authorized and willing to assume reg-

ulatory supervision of the lands and facilities included under the

nonpower license and does so, the Commission shall thereupon ter-

minate the license. Consistent with the provisions of the Act of Au-

gust 15, 1953 (67 Stat. 587; 16 U.S.C. 828–828c), every licensee for

nonpower use shall keep such accounts and file such annual and

other periodic or special reports concerning the removal, alteration,

nonpower use, or other disposition of any project works or parts

thereof covered by the nonpower use license as the Commission

may by rules and regulations or order prescribe as necessary or ap-

propriate.

ø16 U.S.C. 808¿

. 16. That when in the opinion of the President of the

United States, evidenced by a written order addressed to the holder

of any license hereunder, the safety of the United States demands

it, the United States shall have the right to enter upon and take

possession of any project, or part thereof, constructed, maintained,

or operated under said license, for the purpose of manufacturing ni-

trates, explosives, or munitions of war, or for any other purpose in-

volving the safety of the United States, to retain possession, man-

agement, and control thereof for such length of time as may appear

to the President to be necessary to accomplish said purposes, and

then to restore possession and control to the party or parties enti-

tled thereto; and in the event that the United States shall exercise

such right it shall pay to the party or parties entitled thereto just

and fair compensation for the use of said property as may be fixed

by the Commission upon the basis of a reasonable profit in time

of peace, and the cost of restoring said property to as good condi-

tion as existed at the time of the taking over thereof, less the rea-

sonable value of any improvements that may be made thereto by

the United States and which are valuable and serviceable to the li-

censee.

ø16 U.S.C. 809¿

. 17. (a) All proceeds from any Indian reservation shall be

placed to the credit of the Indians of such reservation. All other

charges arising from licenses hereunder, except charges fixed by

the Commission for the purpose of reimbursing the United States

for the cost of administration of this Part, shall be paid into the

Treasury of the United States, subject to the following distribution:

⁄

per centum thereof is hereby appropriated to be paid into the

Treasury of the United States and credited to ‘‘Miscellaneous re-

ceipts’’; 50 per centum of the charges arising from licenses here-

under for the occupancy and use of public lands and national for-

ests shall be paid into, reserved, and appropriated as a part of the

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As Amended Through P.L. 115-325, Enacted December 18, 2018

23 Sec. 18FEDERAL POWER ACT

reclamation fund created by the Act of Congress known as the Rec-

lamation Act, approved June 17, 1902; and 37

⁄

per centum of the

charges arising from licenses hereunder for the occupancy and use

of national forests and public lands from development within the

boundaries of any State shall be paid by the Secretary of the Treas-

ury to such State; and 50 per centum of the charges arising from

all other licenses hereunder is hereby reserved and appropriated as

a special fund in the Treasury to be expended under the direction

of the Secretary of the Army in the maintenance and operation of

dams and other navigation structures owned by the United States

or in the construction, maintenance, or operation of headwater or

other improvements of navigable waters of the United States. The

proceeds of charges made by the Commission for the purpose of re-

imbursing the United States for the costs of the administration of

this Part shall be paid into the Treasury of the United States and

credited to miscellaneous receipts.

(b) In case of delinquency on the part of any licensee in the

payment of annual charges a penalty of 5 per centum of the total

amount so delinquent may be added to the total charges which

shall apply for the first month or part of month so delinquent with

an additional penalty of 3 per centum for each subsequent month

until the total of the charges and penalties are paid or until the

license is canceled and the charges and penalties satisfied in ac-

cordance with law.

ø16 U.S.C. 810¿

. 18. The Commission shall require the construction, main-

tenance, and operation by a licensee at its own expense of such

lights and signals as may be directed by the Secretary of the De-

partment in which the Coast Guard is operating, and such

fishways as may be prescribed by the Secretary of Commerce. The

license applicant and any party to the proceeding shall be entitled

to a determination on the record, after opportunity for an agency

trial-type hearing of no more than 90 days, on any disputed issues

of material fact with respect to such fishways. All disputed issues

of material fact raised by any party shall be determined in a single

trial-type hearing to be conducted by the relevant resource agency

in accordance with the regulations promulgated under this sub-

section and within the time frame established by the Commission

for each license proceeding. Within 90 days of the date of enact-

ment of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, the Secretaries of the Inte-

rior, Commerce, and Agriculture shall establish jointly, by rule, the

procedures for such expedited trial-type hearing, including the op-

portunity to undertake discovery and cross-examine witnesses, in

consultation with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. The

operation of any navigation facilities which may be constructed as

a part of or in connection with any dam or diversion structure built

under the provisions of this Act, whether at the expense of a li-

censee hereunder or of the United States, shall at all times be con-

trolled by such reasonable rules and regulations in the interest of

navigation, including the control of the level of the pool caused by

such dam or diversion structure as may be made from time to time

by the Secretary of the Army, and for willful failure to comply with

any such rule or regulation such licensee shall be deemed guilty of

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As Amended Through P.L. 115-325, Enacted December 18, 2018

24Sec. 19 FEDERAL POWER ACT

a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof shall be punished as

provided in section 316 hereof.

ø16 U.S.C. 811¿

. 19. That as a condition of the license, every licensee here-

under which is a public-service corporation, or a person, associa-

tion, or corporation owning or operating any project and devel-

oping, transmitting, or distributing power for sale or use in public

service, shall abide by such reasonable regulation of the services to

be rendered to customers or consumers of power, and of rates and

charges of payment therefor, as may from time to time be pre-

scribed by any duly constituted agency of the State in which the

service is rendered or the rate charged. That in case of the develop-

ment, transmission, or distribution, or use in public service of

power by any licensee hereunder or by its customer engaged in

public service within a State which has not authorized and empow-

ered a commission or other agency or agencies within said State to

regulate and control the services to be rendered by such licensee

or by its customer engaged in public service, or the rates and

charges of payment therefor, or the amount or character of securi-

ties to be issued by any of said parties, it is agreed as a condition

of such license that jurisdiction is hereby conferred upon the com-

mission, upon complaint of any person aggrieved or upon its own

initiative, to exercise such regulation and control until such time

as the State shall have provided a commission or other authority

for such regulation and control: Provided, That the jurisdiction of

the commission shall cease and determine as to each specific mat-

ter of regulation and control prescribed in this section as soon as

the State shall have provided a commission or other authority for

the regulation and control of that specific matter.

ø16 U.S.C. 812¿

. 20. That when said power or any part thereof shall enter

into interstate or foreign commerce the rates charged and the serv-

ice rendered by any such licensee, or by any subsidiary corporation,

the stock of which is owned or controlled directly or indirectly by

such licensee, or by any person, corporation, or association pur-

chasing power from such licensee for sale and distribution or use

in public service shall be reasonable, nondiscriminatory and just to

the customer and all unreasonable discriminatory and unjust rates

or services are hereby prohibited and declared to be unlawful; and

whenever any of the States directly concerned has not provided a

commission or other authority to enforce the requirements of this

section within such State or to regulate and control the amount

and character of securities to be issued by any of such parties or

such States are unable to agree through their properly constituted

authorities on the services to be rendered or on the rates or

charges of payment therefor, or on the amount or character of secu-

rities to be issued by any of said parties, jurisdiction is hereby con-

ferred upon the commission, upon complaint of any person ag-

grieved, upon the request of any State concerned, or upon its own

initiative to enforce the provisions of this section, to regulate and

control so much of the services rendered, and of the rates and

charges of payment therefor as constitute interstate or foreign com-

merce and to regulate the issuance of securities by the parties in-

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25 Sec. 21FEDERAL POWER ACT

So in law. Probably should be ‘‘: Provided further,’’. See section 1701(d) of P.L. 102–486 (106

Stat. 3009).

cluded within this section, and securities issued by the licensee

subject to such regulations shall be allowed only for the bona fide

purpose of financing and conducting the business of such licensee.

The administration of the provisions of this section, so far as

applicable, shall be according to the procedure and practice in fix-

ing and regulating the rates, charges, and practices of railroad

companies as provided in the Act to regulate commerce, approved

February 4, 1887, as amended, and that the parties subject to such

regulation shall have the same rights of hearing, defense, and re-

view as said companies in such cases.

In any valuation of the property of any licensee hereunder for

purposes of rate making, no value shall be claimed by the licensee

or allowed by the commission for any project or projects under li-

cense in excess of the value or values prescribed in section 14 here-

of for the purposes of purchase by the United States, but there

shall be included the cost to such licensee of the construction of the

lock or locks or other aids of navigation and all other capital ex-

penditures required by the United States, and no value shall be

claimed or allowed for the rights granted by the commission or by

this Act.

ø16 U.S.C. 813¿

. 21. That when any licensee can not acquire by contract

or pledges an unimproved dam site or the right to use or damage

the lands or property of others necessary to the construction, main-

tenance, or operation of any dam, reservoir, diversion structure, or

the works appurtenant or accessory thereto, in conjunction with an

improvement which in the judgment of the commission is desirable

and justified in the public interest for the purpose of improving or

developing a waterway or waterways for the use or benefit of inter-

state or foreign commerce, it may acquire the same by the exercise

of the right of eminent domain in the district court of the United

States for the district in which such land or other property may be

located, or in the State courts. The practice and procedure in any

action or proceedings for that purpose in the district court of the

United States shall conform as nearly as may be with the practice

and procedure in similar action or proceeding in the courts of the

State where the property is situated: Provided, That United States

district courts shall only have jurisdiction of cases when the

amount claimed by the owner of the property to be condemned ex-

ceeds $3,000

Provided further, That no licensee may use the right

of eminent domain under this section to acquire any lands or other

property that, prior to the date of enactment of the Energy Policy

Act of 1992, were owned by a State or political subdivision thereof

and were part of or included within any public park, recreation

area or wildlife refuge established under State or local law. In the

case of lands or other property that are owned by a State or polit-

ical subdivision and are part of or included within a public park,

recreation area or wildlife refuge established under State or local

law on or after the date of enactment of such Act, no licensee may

use the right of eminent domain under this section to acquire such

lands or property unless there has been a public hearing held in

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As Amended Through P.L. 115-325, Enacted December 18, 2018

26Sec. 22 FEDERAL POWER ACT

the affected community and a finding by the Commission, after due

consideration of expressed public views and the recommendations

of the State or political subdivision that owns the lands or prop-

erty, that the license will not interfere or be inconsistent with the

purposes for which such lands or property are owned.

ø16 U.S.C. 814¿

. 22. That whenever the public interest requires or justifies

the execution by the licensee of contracts for the sale and delivery

of power for periods extending beyond the date of termination of

the license, such contracts may be entered into upon the joint ap-

proval of the commission and of the public-service commission or

other similar authority in the State in which the sale or delivery

of power is made, or if sold or delivered in a State which has no

such public-service commission, then upon the approval of the com-

mission, and thereafter, in the event of failure to issue a new li-

cense to the original licensee at the termination of the license, the

United States or the new licensee, as the case may be shall assume

and fulfill all such contracts.

ø16 U.S.C. 815¿

. 23. (a) The provisions of this Part shall not be construed

as affecting any permit or valid existing right-of-way heretofore

granted or as confirming or otherwise affecting any claim, or as af-

fecting any authority heretofore given pursuant to law, but any

person, association, corporation, State, or municipality holding or

possessing such permit, right-of-way, or authority may apply for a

license hereunder, and upon such application the Commission may

issue to any such applicant a license in accordance with the provi-

sions of this Part and in such case the provisions of this Act shall

apply to such applicant as a licensee hereunder: Provided, That

when application is made for a license under this section for a

project or projects already constructed the fair value of said project

or projects determined as provided in this section, shall for the pur-

poses of this Part and of said license be deemed to be the amount

to be allowed as the net investment of the applicant in such project

or projects as of the date of such license, or as of the date of such

determination, if license has not been issued. Such fair value shall

be determined by the Commission after notice and opportunity for

hearing.

ø16 U.S.C. 816¿

(b)(1) It shall be unlawful for any person, State, or munici-

pality, for the purpose of developing electric power, to construct, op-

erate, or maintain any dam, water conduit, reservoir, power house,

or other works incidental thereto across, along, or in any of the

navigable waters of the United States, or upon any part of the pub-

lic lands or reservations of the United States (including the Terri-

tories), or utilize the surplus water or water power from any Gov-

ernment dam, except under and in accordance with the terms of a

permit or valid existing right-of-way granted prior to June 10,

1920, or a license granted pursuant to this Act. Any person, asso-

ciation, corporation, State or municipality intending to construct a

dam or other project works across, along, over, or in any stream or

part thereof, other than those defined herein as navigable waters,

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As Amended Through P.L. 115-325, Enacted December 18, 2018

27 Sec. 24FEDERAL POWER ACT

and over which Congress has jurisdiction under its authority to

regulate commerce with foreign nations and among the several

States shall before such construction file declaration of such inten-

tion with the Commission, whereupon the Commission shall cause

immediate investigation of such proposed construction to be made,

and if upon investigation it shall find that the interests of inter-

state or foreign commerce would be affected by such proposed con-

struction such person, association, corporation, State, or munici-

pality shall not construct, maintain, or operate such dam or other

project works until it shall have applied for and shall have received

a license under the provisions of this Act. If the Commission shall

not so find, and if no public lands or reservations are affected, per-

mission is hereby granted to construct such dam or other project

works in such stream upon compliance with State laws.

(2) No person may commence any significant modification of

any project licensed under, or exempted from, this Act unless such

modification is authorized in accordance with terms and conditions

of such license or exemption and the applicable requirements of

this Part. As used in this paragraph, the term ‘‘commence’’ refers

to the beginning of physical on-site activity other than surveys or

testing.

ø16 U.S.C. 817¿

. 24. Any lands of the United States included in any pro-

posed project under the provisions of this Part shall from the date

of filing of application therefor be reserved from entry, location, or

other disposal under the laws of the United States until otherwise

directed by the Commission or by Congress. Notice that such appli-

cation has been made, together with the date of filing thereof and

a description of the lands of the United States affected thereby,

shall be filed in the local land office for the district in which such

lands are located. Whenever the Commission shall determine that

the value of any lands of the United States so applied for, or here-

tofore or hereafter reserved or classified as power sites, will not be

injured or destroyed for the purposes of power development by loca-

tion, entry, or selection under the public land laws, the Secretary

of the Interior, upon notice of such determination, shall declare

such lands open to location, entry, or selection, for such purpose or

purposes and under such restrictions as the Commission may de-

termine, subject to and with a reservation of the right of the

United States or its permittees or licensees to enter upon, occupy,

and use any part or all of said lands necessary, in the judgment

of the Commission, for the purposes of this Part, which right shall

be expressly reserved in every patent issued for such lands; and no

claim or right to compensation shall accrue from the occupation or

use of any of said lands for said purposes. The United States or

any licensee for any such lands hereunder may enter thereupon for

the purposes of this Part upon payment of any damages to crops,

buildings, or other improvements caused thereby to the owner

thereof, or upon giving a good and sufficient bond to the United

States for the use and benefit of the owner to secure the payment

of such damages as may be determined and fixed in an action

brought upon the bond in a court of competent jurisdiction, said

bond to be in the form prescribed by the Commission: Provided,

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28Sec. 25 FEDERAL POWER ACT

That locations, entries, selection, or filings heretofore made for

lands reserved as water-power sites, or in connection with water-

power development, or electrical transmission may proceed to ap-

proval or patent under and subject to the limitations and condi-

tions in this section continued: Provided further, That before any

lands applied for, or heretofore or hereafter reserved, or classified

as power sites, are declared open to location, entry, or selection by

the Secretary of the Interior, notice of intention to make such dec-

laration shall be given to the Governor of the State within which

such lands are located, and such State shall have ninety days from

the date of such notice within which to file, under any statute or

regulation applicable thereto, an application for the reservation to

the State, or any political subdivision thereof, of any lands required

as a right-of-way for a public highway or as a source of materials

for the construction and maintenance of such highways, and a copy

of such application shall be filed with the Federal Power Commis-

sion; and any location, entry, or selection of such lands, or subse-

quent patent thereof, shall be subject to any rights granted the

State pursuant to such application.

ø16 U.S.C. 818¿

. 25. øRepealed August 26, 1935.¿

. 26. That the Attorney General may, on request of the

commission or of the Secretary of the Army, institute proceedings

in equity in the district court of the United States in the district

in which any project or part thereof is situated for the purpose of

revoking for violation of its terms any permit or license issued

hereunder, or for the purpose of remedying or correcting by injunc-

tion, mandamus, or other process any act of commission, or omis-

sion in violation of the provisions of this Act or of any lawful regu-

lation or order promulgated hereunder. The district courts shall

have jurisdiction over all of the above-mentioned proceedings and

shall have power to issue and execute all necessary process and to

make and enforce all writs, orders, and decrees to compel compli-

ance with the lawful orders and regulations of the commission and

of the Secretary of the Army, and to compel the performance of any

condition imposed under the provisions of this Act. In the event a

decree revoking a license is entered, the court is empowered to sell

the whole or any part of the project or projects under license, to

wind up the business of such licensee conducted in connection with

such project or projects, to distribute the proceeds to the parties en-

titled to the same, and to make and enforce such further orders

and decrees as equity and justice may require. At such sale or sales

the vendee shall take the rights and privileges belonging to the li-

censee and shall perform the duties of such licensee and assume

all outstanding obligations and liabilities of the licensee which the

court may deem equitable in the premises; and at such sale or

sales the United States may become a purchaser, but it shall not

be required to pay a greater amount than it would be required to

pay under the provisions of section 14 hereof at the termination of

the license.

ø16 U.S.C. 820¿

. 27. That nothing herein contained shall be construed as

affecting or intending to affect or in any way to interfere with the

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As Amended Through P.L. 115-325, Enacted December 18, 2018

29 Sec. 30FEDERAL POWER ACT

laws of the respective States relating to the control, appropriation,

use, or distribution of water used in irrigation or for municipal or

other uses, or any vested right acquired therein.

ø16 U.S.C. 821¿

. 28. That the right to alter, amend, or repeal this Act is

hereby expressly reserved; but no such alteration, amendment, or

repeal shall affect any license theretofore issued under the provi-

sions of this Act, or the rights of any licensee thereunder.

ø16 U.S.C. 822¿

. 29. That all Acts or parts of Acts inconsistent with this

Act are hereby repealed: Provided, That nothing herein contained

shall be held or construed to modify or repeal any of the provisions

of the Act of Congress approved December 19, 1913, granting cer-

tain rights-of-way to the city and county of San Francisco, in the

State of California: Provided further, That section 18 of an Act

making appropriations for the construction, repair, and preserva-

tion of certain public works on rivers and harbors, and for other

purposes, approved August 8, 1917, is hereby repealed.

ø16 U.S.C. 823¿

. 30. (a)(1) A qualifying conduit hydropower facility shall

not be required to be licensed under this part.

(2)(A) Any person, State, or municipality proposing to construct

a qualifying conduit hydropower facility shall file with the Commis-

sion a notice of intent to construct such facility. The notice shall

include sufficient information to demonstrate that the facility

meets the qualifying criteria.

(B) Not later than 15 days after receipt of a notice of intent

filed under subparagraph (A), the Commission shall—

(i) make an initial determination as to whether the facility

meets the qualifying criteria; and

(ii) if the Commission makes an initial determination, pur-

suant to clause (i), that the facility meets the qualifying cri-

teria, publish public notice of the notice of intent filed under

subparagraph (A).

the public notice described in subparagraph (B)(ii)—

(i) an entity contests whether the facility meets the quali-

fying criteria, the Commission shall promptly issue a written

determination as to whether the facility meets such criteria; or

(ii) no entity contests whether the facility meets the quali-

fying criteria, the facility shall be deemed to meet such cri-

teria.

(3) For purposes of this section:

(A) The term ‘‘conduit’’ means any tunnel, canal, pipeline,

aqueduct, flume, ditch, or similar manmade water conveyance

that is operated for the distribution of water for agricultural,

municipal, or industrial consumption and not primarily for the

generation of electricity.

(B) The term ‘‘qualifying conduit hydropower facility’’

means a facility (not including any dam or other impound-

ment) that is determined or deemed under paragraph (2)(C) to

meet the qualifying criteria.

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As Amended Through P.L. 115-325, Enacted December 18, 2018

30Sec. 30 FEDERAL POWER ACT

So in original. Probably should be followed by a comma.

a facility—

(i) the facility is constructed, operated, or maintained

for the generation of electric power and uses for such gen-

eration only the hydroelectric potential of a non-federally

owned conduit;

(ii) the facility has an installed capacity that does not

exceed 40 megawatts; and

(iii) on or before the date of enactment of the Hydro-

power Regulatory Efficiency Act of 2013, the facility is not

licensed under, or exempted from the license requirements

contained in, this part.

(b) Subject to subsection (c), the Commission may grant an ex-

emption in whole or in part from the requirements of this part, in-

cluding any license requirements contained in this part, to any fa-

cility (not including any dam or other impoundment) constructed,

operated, or maintained for the generation of electric power which

the Commission determines, by rule or order—

(1) utilizes for such generation only the hydroelectric po-

tential of a conduit; and

(2) has an installed capacity that does not exceed 40

megawatts.

mission shall consult with the United States Fish and Wildlife

Service and the State agency exercising administration over the

fish and wildlife resources of the State in which the facility is or

will be located, in the manner provided by the Fish and Wildlife

Coordination Act (16 U.S.C. 661, et seq.), and shall include in any

such exemption—

(1) such terms and conditions as the Fish and Wildlife

Service

National Marine Fisheries Service

and the State

agency each determine are appropriate to prevent loss of, or

damage to, such resources and to otherwise carry out the pur-

poses of such Act, and

(2) such terms and conditions as the Commission deems

appropriate to insure that such facility continues to comply

with the provisions of this section and terms and conditions in-

cluded in any such exemption.

(d) Any violation of a term or condition of any exemption

granted under subsection (b) shall be treated as a violation of a

rule or order of the Commission under this Act.

(e) The Commission, in addition to the requirements of section

10(e), shall establish fees which shall be paid by an applicant for

a license or exemption for a project that is required to meet terms

and conditions set by fish and wildlife agencies under subsection

(c). Such fees shall be adequate to reimburse the fish and wildlife

agencies referred to in subsection (c) for any reasonable costs in-

curred in connection with any studies or other reviews carried out

by such agencies for purposes of compliance with this section. The

fees shall, subject to annual appropriations Acts, be transferred to

such agencies by the Commission for use solely for purposes of car-

rying out such studies and shall remain available until expended.

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As Amended Through P.L. 115-325, Enacted December 18, 2018

31 Sec. 31FEDERAL POWER ACT

So in original. Probably should not be capitalized.

ø16 U.S.C. 823a¿

SEC. 31. ENFORCEMENT.

(a) M

ONITORING AND

NVESTIGATION

.—The Commission shall

monitor and investigate compliance with each license and permit

issued under this Part and with each exemption granted from any

requirement of this Part. The Commission shall conduct such in-

vestigations as may be necessary and proper in accordance with

this Act. After notice and opportunity for public hearing, the Com-

mission may issue such orders as necessary to require compliance

with the terms and conditions of licenses and permits issued under

this Part and with the terms and conditions of exemptions granted

from any requirement of this Part.

(b) R

EVOCATION

RDERS

.—After notice and opportunity for an

evidentiary hearing, the Commission may also issue an order re-

voking any license issued under this Part or any exemption grant-

ed from any requirement of this Part where any licensee or

exemptee is found by the Commission:

(1) to have knowingly violated a final order issued under

subsection (a) after completion of judicial review (or the oppor-

tunity for judicial review); and

(2) to have been given reasonable time to comply fully with

such order prior to commencing any revocation proceeding.

In any such proceeding, the order issued under subsection (a) shall

be subject to de novo review by the Commission. No order shall be

issued under this subsection until after the Commission has taken

into the consideration the nature and seriousness of the violation

and the efforts of the licensee to remedy the violation.

IVIL

ENALTY

.—Any licensee, permittee, or exemptee who

violates or fails or refuses to comply with any rule or regulation

under this Part,

any term, or condition of a license, permit, or

exemption under this Part,

or any order issued under subsection

(a) shall be subject to a civil penalty in an amount not to exceed

$10,000 for each day that such violation or failure or refusal con-

tinues. Such penalty shall be assessed by the Commission after no-

tice and opportunity for public hearing. In determining the amount

of a proposed penalty, the Commission shall take into consideration

the nature and seriousness of the violation, failure or refusal and

the efforts of the licensee to remedy the violation, failure, or refusal

in a timely manner. No civil penalty shall be assessed where rev-

ocation is ordered.

(d) A

SSESSMENT

.—(1) Before issuing an order assessing a civil

penalty against any person under this section, the Commission

shall provide to such person notice of the proposed penalty. Such

notice shall, except in the case of a violation of a final order issued

under subsection (a), inform such person of his opportunity to elect

in writing within 30 days after the date of receipt of such notice

to have the procedures of paragraph (3) (in lieu of those of para-

graph (2)) apply with respect to such assessment.

(2)(A) In the case of the violation of a final order issued under

subsection (a), or unless an election is made within 30 calendar

days after receipt of notice under paragraph (1) to have paragraph

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As Amended Through P.L. 115-325, Enacted December 18, 2018

32Sec. 31 FEDERAL POWER ACT

So in original. Probably should not be capitalized.

(3) apply with respect to such penalty, the Commission shall assess

the penalty, by order, after a determination of violation has been

made on the record after an opportunity for an agency hearing pur-

suant to section 554 of title 5, United States Code, before an ad-

ministrative law judge appointed under section 3105 of such title

5. Such assessment order shall include the administrative law

judge’s findings and the basis for such assessment.

(B) Any person against whom a penalty is assessed under this

paragraph may, within 60 calendar days after the date of the order

of the Commission assessing such penalty, institute an action in

the United States court of appeals for the appropriate judicial cir-

cuit for judicial review of such order in accordance with chapter 7

of title 5, United States Code. The court shall have jurisdiction to

enter a judgment affirming, modifying, or setting aside in whole or

in Part,

the order of the Commission, or the court may remand

the proceeding to the Commission for such further action as the

court may direct.

(3)(A) In the case of any civil penalty with respect to which the

procedures of this paragraph have been elected, the Commission

shall promptly assess such penalty, by order, after the date of the

receipt of the notice under paragraph (1) of the proposed penalty.

(B) If the civil penalty has not been paid within 60 calendar

days after the assessment order has been made under subpara-

graph (A), the Commission shall institute an action in the appro-

priate district court of the United States for an order affirming the

assessment of the civil penalty. The court shall have authority to

review de novo the law and the facts involved, and shall have juris-

diction to enter a judgment enforcing, modifying, and enforcing as

so modified, or setting aside in whole or in Part, such assessment.

voked except with the consent of the Commission.

(4) The Commission may compromise, modify, or remit, with or

without conditions, any civil penalty which may be imposed under

this subsection, taking into consideration the nature and serious-

ness of the violation and the efforts of the licensee to remedy the

violation in a timely manner at any time prior to a final decision

by the court of appeals under paragraph (2) or by the district court

under paragraph (3).

(5) If any person fails to pay an assessment of a civil penalty

after it has become a final and unappealable order under para-

graph (2), or after the appropriate district court has entered final

judgment in favor of the Commission under paragraph (3), the

Commission shall institute an action to recover the amount of such

penalty in any appropriate district court of the United States. In

such action, the validity and appropriateness of such final assess-

ment order or judgment shall not be subject to review.

(6)(A) Notwithstanding the provisions of title 28, United States

Code, or of this Act, the Commission may be represented by the

general counsel of the Commission (or any attorney or attorneys

within the Commission designated by the Chairman) who shall su-

pervise, conduct, and argue any civil litigation to which paragraph

(3) of this subsection applies (including any related collection action

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As Amended Through P.L. 115-325, Enacted December 18, 2018

33 Sec. 32FEDERAL POWER ACT

So in original. Probably should read ‘‘Endangered Species Act of 1973’’.

under paragraph (5)) in a court of the United States or in any other

court, except the Supreme Court. However, the Commission or the

general counsel shall consult with the Attorney General concerning

such litigation, and the Attorney General shall provide, on request,

such assistance in the conduct of such litigation as may be appro-

priate.

(B) The Commission shall be represented by the Attorney Gen-

eral, or the Solicitor General, as appropriate, in actions under this

subsection, except to the extent provided in subparagraph (A) of

this paragraph.

ø16 U.S.C. 823b¿

SEC. 32. ALASKA STATE JURISDICTION OVER SMALL HYDROELECTRIC

PROJECTS.

(a) D

ISCONTINUANCE OF

EGULATION BY THE

OMMISSION

.—

Notwithstanding sections 4(e) and 23(b), the Commission shall dis-

continue exercising licensing and regulatory authority under this

part over qualifying project works in the State of Alaska, effective

on the date on which the Commission certifies that the State of

Alaska has in place a regulatory program for water-power develop-

ment that—

(1) protects the public interest, the purposes listed in para-

graph (2), and the environment to the same extent provided by

licensing and regulation by the Commission under this part

and other applicable Federal laws, including the Endangered

Species Act

(16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) and the Fish and Wild-

life Coordination Act (16 U.S.C. 661 et seq.);

(2) gives equal consideration to the purposes of—

(A) energy conservation;

(B) the protection, mitigation of damage to, and en-

hancement of, fish and wildlife (including related spawn-

ing grounds and habitat);

(D) the preservation of other aspects of environmental

quality;

(E) the interests of Alaska Natives; and

(F) other beneficial public uses, including irrigation,

flood control, water supply, and navigation; and

(3) requires, as a condition of a license for any project

works—

(A) the construction, maintenance, and operation by a

licensee at its own expense of such lights and signals as

may be directed by the Secretary of the Department in

which the Coast Guard is operating, and such fishways as

may be prescribed by the Secretary of the Interior or the

Secretary of Commerce, as appropriate;

(B) the operation of any navigation facilities which

may be constructed as part of any project to be controlled

at all times by such reasonable rules and regulations as

may be made by the Secretary of the Army; and

the protection, mitigation, and enhancement of fish and

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As Amended Through P.L. 115-325, Enacted December 18, 2018

34Sec. 32 FEDERAL POWER ACT

wildlife based on recommendations received pursuant to

the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act (16 U.S.C. 661 et

seq.) from the National Marine Fisheries Service, the

United States Fish and Wildlife Service, and State fish

and wildlife agencies.

(b) D

EFINITION OF

‘‘Q

UALIFYING

ROJECT

ORKS

’’.—For pur-

poses of this section, the term ‘‘qualifying project works’’ means

project works—

(1) that are not part of a project licensed under this part

or exempted from licensing under this part or section 405 of

the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 prior to the

date of the enactment of this section;

(2) for which a preliminary permit, a license application, or

an application for an exemption from licensing has not been ac-

cepted for filing by the Commission prior to the date of the en-

actment of subsection (c) (unless such application is withdrawn

at the election of the applicant);

(3) that are part of a project that has a power production

capacity of 5,000 kilowatts or less;

(4) that are located entirely within the boundaries of the

State of Alaska; and

(5) that are not located in whole or in part on any Indian

reservation, a conservation system unit (as defined in section

102(4) of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act

(16 U.S.C. 3102(4))), or segment of a river designated for study

for addition to the Wild and Scenic Rivers System.

LECTION OF

TATE

ICENSING

.—In the case of nonquali-

fying project works that would be a qualifying project works but for

the fact that the project has been licensed (or exempted from li-

censing) by the Commission prior to the enactment of this section,

the licensee of such project may in its discretion elect to make the

project subject to licensing and regulation by the State of Alaska

under this section.

(d) P

ROJECT

ORKS ON

EDERAL

ANDS

.—With respect to

projects located in whole or in part on a reservation, a conservation

system unit, or the public lands, a State license or exemption from

licensing shall be subject to—

(1) the approval of the Secretary having jurisdiction over

such lands; and

(2) such conditions as the Secretary may prescribe.

(e) C

ONSULTATION

ITH

FFECTED

GENCIES

.—The Commis-

sion shall consult with the Secretary of the Interior, the Secretary

of Agriculture, and the Secretary of Commerce before certifying the

State of Alaska’s regulatory program.

(f) A

PPLICATION OF

EDERAL

AWS

.—Nothing in this section

shall preempt the application of Federal environmental, natural re-

sources, or cultural resources protection laws according to their

terms.

(g) O

VERSIGHT BY THE

OMMISSION

.—The State of Alaska shall

notify the Commission not later than 30 days after making any sig-

nificant modification to its regulatory program. The Commission

shall periodically review the State’s program to ensure compliance

with the provisions of this section.

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As Amended Through P.L. 115-325, Enacted December 18, 2018

35 Sec. 33FEDERAL POWER ACT

(h) R

ESUMPTION OF

OMMISSION

UTHORITY

.—Notwithstanding

subsection (a), the Commission shall reassert its licensing and reg-

ulatory authority under this part if the Commission finds that the

State of Alaska has not complied with one or more of the require-

ments of this section.

(i) D

ETERMINATION BY THE

OMMISSION

.—(1) Upon application

by the Governor of the State of Alaska, the Commission shall with-

in 30 days commence a review of the State of Alaska’s regulatory

program for water-power development to determine whether it

complies with the requirements of subsection (a).

(2) The Commission’s review required by paragraph (1) shall

be completed within 1 year of initiation, and the Commission shall

within 30 days thereafter issue a final order determining whether

or not the State of Alaska’s regulatory program for water-power de-

velopment complies with the requirements of subsection (a).

(3) If the Commission fails to issue a final order in accordance

with paragraph (2) the State of Alaska’s regulatory program for

water-power development shall be deemed to be in compliance with

subsection (a).

(j) F

ISH AND

ILDLIFE

.—If the State of Alaska determines that

a recommendation under subsection (a)(3)(C) is inconsistent with

paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (a), the State of Alaska may

decline to adopt all or part of the recommendations in accordance

with the procedures established under section 10(j)(2).

ø16 U.S.C. 823c¿

SEC. 33. ALTERNATIVE CONDITIONS AND PRESCRIPTIONS.

(a) A

LTERNATIVE

ONDITIONS

.—(1) Whenever any person ap-

plies for a license for any project works within any reservation of

the United States, and the Secretary of the department under

whose supervision such reservation falls (referred to in this sub-

section as the ‘‘Secretary’’) deems a condition to such license to be

necessary under the first proviso of section 4(e), the license appli-

cant or any other party to the license proceeding may propose an

alternative condition.

(2) Notwithstanding the first proviso of section 4(e), the Sec-

retary shall accept the proposed alternative condition referred to in

paragraph (1), and the Commission shall include in the license

such alternative condition, if the Secretary determines, based on

substantial evidence provided by the license applicant, any other

party to the proceeding, or otherwise available to the Secretary,

that such alternative condition—

(A) provides for the adequate protection and utilization of

the reservation; and

(B) will either, as compared to the condition initially by

the Secretary—

(i) cost significantly less to implement; or

(ii) result in improved operation of the project works

for electricity production.

(3) In making a determination under paragraph (2), the Sec-

retary shall consider evidence provided for the record by any party

to a licensing proceeding, or otherwise available to the Secretary,

including any evidence provided by the Commission, on the imple-

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As Amended Through P.L. 115-325, Enacted December 18, 2018

36Sec. 33 FEDERAL POWER ACT

mentation costs or operational impacts for electricity production of

a proposed alternative.

(4) The Secretary concerned shall submit into the public record

of the Commission proceeding with any condition under section 4(e)

or alternative condition it accepts under this section, a written

statement explaining the basis for such condition, and reason for

not accepting any alternative condition under this section. The

written statement must demonstrate that the Secretary gave equal

consideration to the effects of the condition adopted and alter-

natives not accepted on energy supply, distribution, cost, and use;

flood control; navigation; water supply; and air quality (in addition

to the preservation of other aspects of environmental quality);

based on such information as may be available to the Secretary, in-

cluding information voluntarily provided in a timely manner by the

applicant and others. The Secretary shall also submit, together

with the aforementioned written statement, all studies, data, and

other factual information available to the Secretary and relevant to

the Secretary’s decision.

(5) If the Commission finds that the Secretary’s final condition

would be inconsistent with the purposes of this part, or other appli-

cable law, the Commission may refer the dispute to the Commis-

sion’s Dispute Resolution Service. The Dispute Resolution Service

shall consult with the Secretary and the Commission and issue a

non-binding advisory within 90 days. The Secretary may accept the

Dispute Resolution Service advisory unless the Secretary finds that

the recommendation will not adequately protect the reservation.

The Secretary shall submit the advisory and the Secretary’s final

written determination into the record of the Commission’s pro-

ceeding.

(b) A

LTERNATIVE

RESCRIPTIONS

.—(1) Whenever the Secretary

of the Interior or the Secretary of Commerce prescribes a fishway

under section 18, the license applicant or any other party to the li-

cense proceeding may propose an alternative to such prescription

to construct, maintain, or operate a fishway.

(2) Notwithstanding section 18, the Secretary of the Interior or

the Secretary of Commerce, as appropriate, shall accept and pre-

scribe, and the Commission shall require, the proposed alternative

referred to in paragraph (1), if the Secretary of the appropriate de-

partment determines, based on substantial evidence provided by

the license applicant, any other party to the proceeding, or other-

wise available to the Secretary, that such alternative—

(A) will be no less protective than the fishway initially pre-

scribed by the Secretary; and

(B) will either, as compared to the fishway initially pre-

scribed by the Secretary—

(i) cost significantly less to implement; or

(ii) result in improved operation of the project works

for electricity production.

(3) In making a determination under paragraph (2), the Sec-

retary shall consider evidence provided for the record by any party

to a licensing proceeding, or otherwise available to the Secretary,

including any evidence provided by the Commission, on the imple-

mentation costs or operational impacts for electricity production of

a proposed alternative.

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As Amended Through P.L. 115-325, Enacted December 18, 2018

37 Sec. 34FEDERAL POWER ACT

(4) The Secretary concerned shall submit into the public record

of the Commission proceeding with any prescription under section

18 or alternative prescription it accepts under this section, a writ-

ten statement explaining the basis for such prescription, and rea-

son for not accepting any alternative prescription under this sec-

tion. The written statement must demonstrate that the Secretary

gave equal consideration to the effects of the prescription adopted

and alternatives not accepted on energy supply, distribution, cost,

and use; flood control; navigation; water supply; and air quality (in

addition to the preservation of other aspects of environmental qual-

ity); based on such information as may be available to the Sec-

retary, including information voluntarily provided in a timely man-

ner by the applicant and others. The Secretary shall also submit,

together with the aforementioned written statement, all studies,

data, and other factual information available to the Secretary and

relevant to the Secretary’s decision.

(5) If the Commission finds that the Secretary’s final prescrip-

tion would be inconsistent with the purposes of this part, or other

applicable law, the Commission may refer the dispute to the Com-

mission’s Dispute Resolution Service. The Dispute Resolution Serv-

ice shall consult with the Secretary and the Commission and issue

a non-binding advisory within 90 days. The Secretary may accept

the Dispute Resolution Service advisory unless the Secretary finds

that the recommendation will not adequately protect the fish re-

sources. The Secretary shall submit the advisory and the Sec-

retary’s final written determination into the record of the Commis-

sion’s proceeding.

ø16 U.S.C. 823d¿

SEC. 34. PROMOTING HYDROPOWER DEVELOPMENT AT EXISTING

NONPOWERED DAMS.

(a) E

XPEDITED

ICENSING

ROCESS FOR

-F

EDERAL

YDRO

POWER

ROJECTS AT

XISTING

ONPOWERED

AMS

.—

(1) I

N GENERAL

.—As provided in this section, the Commis-

sion may issue and amend licenses, as appropriate, for any fa-

cility the Commission determines is a qualifying facility.

(2) R

ULE

.—Not later than 180 days after the date of enact-

ment of this section, the Commission shall issue a rule estab-

lishing an expedited process for issuing and amending licenses

for qualifying facilities under this section.

(3) I

NTERAGENCY TASK FORCE

.—

(A) In establishing the expedited process under this

section, the Commission shall convene an interagency task

force, with appropriate Federal and State agencies and In-

dian tribes represented, to coordinate the regulatory proc-

esses associated with the authorizations required to con-

struct and operate a qualifying facility.

(B) The task force shall develop procedures that are

consistent with subsection (e)(1)(E) to seek to ensure that,

for projects licensed pursuant to this section, the Commis-

sion and appropriate Federal and State agencies and In-

dian tribes shall exercise their authorities in a manner

that, to the extent practicable, will not result in any mate-

rial change to the storage, release, or flow operations of

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As Amended Through P.L. 115-325, Enacted December 18, 2018

38Sec. 34 FEDERAL POWER ACT

the associated nonpowered dam existing at the time an ap-

plicant files its license application.

(4) L

ENGTH OF PROCESS

.—The Commission shall seek to

ensure that the expedited process under this section will result

in a final decision on an application for a license by not later

than 2 years after receipt of a completed application for the li-

cense.

(b) D

AFETY

.—

(1) A

SSESSMENT

.—Before issuing any license for a quali-

fying facility, the Commission shall assess the safety of exist-

ing non-Federal dams and other non-Federal structures related

to the qualifying facility (including possible consequences asso-

ciated with failure of such structures).

(2) R

EQUIREMENTS

.—In issuing any license for a qualifying

facility at a non-Federal dam, the Commission shall ensure

that the Commission’s dam safety requirements apply to such

qualifying facility, and the associated qualifying nonpowered

dam, over the term of such license.

NTERAGENCY

OMMUNICATIONS

.—Interagency cooperation

in the preparation of environmental documents under the National

Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) with re-

spect to an application for a license for a qualifying facility under

this section, and interagency communications relating to licensing

process coordination pursuant to this section, shall not—

(1) be considered to be ex parte communications under

Commission rules; or

(2) preclude an agency from participating in a licensing

proceeding under this part, providing that any agency partici-

pating as a party in a licensing proceeding under this part

shall, to the extent practicable, demonstrate a separation of

staff cooperating with the Commission under the National En-

vironmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and staff par-

ticipating in the applicable proceeding under this part.

(d) I

DENTIFICATION OF

ONPOWERED

AMS FOR

YDROPOWER

EVELOPMENT

.—

(1) I

N GENERAL

.—Not later than 12 months after the date

of enactment of this section, the Commission, with the Sec-

retary of the Army, the Secretary of the Interior, and the Sec-

retary of Agriculture, shall jointly develop a list of existing

nonpowered Federal dams that the Commission and the Secre-

taries agree have the greatest potential for non-Federal hydro-

power development.

(2) C

ONSIDERATIONS

.—In developing the list under para-

graph (1), the Commission and the Secretaries may consider

the following:

(A) The compatibility of hydropower generation with

existing purposes of the dam.

(B) The proximity of the dam to existing transmission

resources.

mental, cultural, and historic resources relating to the

dam.

(D) The effects of hydropower development on release

or flow operations of the dam.

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As Amended Through P.L. 115-325, Enacted December 18, 2018

39 Sec. 35FEDERAL POWER ACT

(3) A

VAILABILITY

.—The Commission shall—

(A) provide the list developed under paragraph (1) to—

(i) the Committee on Energy and Commerce, the

Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and

the Committee on Natural Resources, of the House of

Representatives; and

(ii) the Committee on Environment and Public

Works, and the Committee on Energy and Natural Re-

sources, of the Senate; and

(B) make such list available to the public.

(e) D

EFINITIONS

.—For purposes of this section:

(1) Q

UALIFYING CRITERIA

.—The term ‘‘qualifying criteria’’

means, with respect to a facility—

(A) as of the date of enactment of this section, the fa-

cility is not licensed under, or exempted from the license

requirements contained in, this part;

(B) the facility will be associated with a qualifying

nonpowered dam;

maintained for the generation of electric power;

(D) the facility will use for such generation any with-

drawals, diversions, releases, or flows from the associated

qualifying nonpowered dam, including its associated im-

poundment or other infrastructure; and

(E) the operation of the facility will not result in any

material change to the storage, release, or flow operations

of the associated qualifying nonpowered dam.

(2) Q

UALIFYING FACILITY

.—The term ‘‘qualifying facility’’

means a facility that is determined under this section to meet

the qualifying criteria.

(3) Q

UALIFYING NONPOWERED DAM

.—The term ‘‘qualifying

nonpowered dam’’ means any dam, dike, embankment, or other

barrier—

(A) the construction of which was completed on or be-

fore the date of enactment of this section;

(B) that is or was operated for the control, release, or

distribution of water for agricultural, municipal, naviga-

tional, industrial, commercial, environmental, recreational,

aesthetic, drinking water, or flood control purposes; and

not generating electricity with hydropower generating

works that are licensed under, or exempted from the li-

cense requirements contained in, this part.

(f) S

AVINGS

LAUSE

.—Nothing in this section affects—

(1) any authority of the Commission to license a facility at

a nonpowered dam under this part; and

(2) any authority of the Commission to issue an exemption

to a small hydroelectric power project under the Public Utility

Regulatory Policies Act of 1978.

ø16 U.S.C. 823e¿

SEC. 35. CLOSED-LOOP PUMPED STORAGE PROJECTS.

(a) E

XPEDITED

ICENSING

ROCESS FOR

LOSED

-L

OOP

UMPED

TORAGE

ROJECTS

.—

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40Sec. 35 FEDERAL POWER ACT

(1) I

N GENERAL

.—As provided in this section, the Commis-

sion may issue and amend licenses, as appropriate, for closed-

loop pumped storage projects.

(2) R

ULE

.—Not later than 180 days after the date of enact-

ment of this section, the Commission shall issue a rule estab-

lishing an expedited process for issuing and amending licenses

for closed-loop pumped storage projects under this section.

(3) I

NTERAGENCY TASK FORCE

.—In establishing the expe-

dited process under this section, the Commission shall convene

an interagency task force, with appropriate Federal and State

agencies and Indian tribes represented, to coordinate the regu-

latory processes associated with the authorizations required to

construct and operate closed-loop pumped storage projects.

(4) L

ENGTH OF PROCESS

.—The Commission shall seek to

ensure that the expedited process under this section will result

in final decision on an application for a license by not later

than 2 years after receipt of a completed application for such

license.

(b) D

AFETY

.—Before issuing any license for a closed-loop

pumped storage project, the Commission shall assess the safety of

existing dams and other structures related to the project (including

possible consequences associated with failure of such structures).

XCEPTIONS

ROM

THER

EQUIREMENTS

.—

(1) I

N GENERAL

.—In issuing or amending a license for a

closed-loop pumped storage project pursuant to the expedited

process established under this section, the Commission may

grant an exception from any other requirement of this part

with respect to any part of the closed-loop pumped storage

project (not including any dam or other impoundment).

(2) C

ONSULTATION

.—In granting an exception under para-

graph (1), the Commission shall consult with the United States

Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Marine Fisheries Serv-

ice, and the State agency exercising administration over the

fish and wildlife resources of the State in which the closed-loop

pumped storage project is or will be located, in the manner

provided by the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act (16 U.S.C.

661 et seq.).

(3) T

ERMS AND CONDITIONS

.—In granting an exception

under paragraph (1), the Commission shall include in any such

exception—

(A) such terms and conditions as the United States

Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Marine Fisheries

Service, and the State agency described in paragraph (2)

each determine are appropriate to prevent loss of, or dam-

age to, fish and wildlife resources and to otherwise carry

out the purposes of the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act;

and

(B) such terms and conditions as the Commission

deems appropriate to ensure that such closed-loop pumped

storage project continues to comply with the provisions of

this section and terms and conditions included in any such

exception.

(4) F

EES

.—The Commission, in addition to the require-

ments of section 10(e), shall establish fees which shall be paid

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As Amended Through P.L. 115-325, Enacted December 18, 2018

41 Sec. 35FEDERAL POWER ACT

by an applicant for a license for a closed-loop pumped storage

project that is required to meet terms and conditions set by

fish and wildlife agencies under paragraph (3). Such fees shall

be adequate to reimburse the fish and wildlife agencies re-

ferred to in paragraph (3) for any reasonable costs incurred in

connection with any studies or other reviews carried out by

such agencies for purposes of compliance with this section. The

fees shall, subject to annual appropriations Acts, be trans-

ferred to such agencies by the Commission for use solely for

purposes of carrying out such studies and shall remain avail-

able until expended.

(d) T

RANSFERS

.—Notwithstanding section 5, and regardless of

whether the holder of a preliminary permit for a closed-loop

pumped storage project claimed municipal preference under section

7(a) when obtaining the permit, on request by a municipality, the

Commission may, to facilitate development of a closed-loop pumped

storage project—

(1) add entities as joint permittees following issuance of a

preliminary permit; and

(2) transfer a license in part to one or more nonmunicipal

entities as co-licensees with a municipality, if the municipality

retains majority ownership of the project for which the license

was issued.

(e) I

NTERAGENCY

OMMUNICATIONS

.—Interagency cooperation

in the preparation of environmental documents under the National

Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) with re-

spect to an application for a license for a closed-loop pumped stor-

age project submitted pursuant to this section, and interagency

communications relating to licensing process coordination pursuant

to this section, shall not—

(1) be considered to be ex parte communications under

Commission rules; or

(2) preclude an agency from participating in a licensing

proceeding under this part, providing that any agency partici-

pating as a party in a licensing proceeding under this part

shall, to the extent practicable, demonstrate a separation of

staff cooperating with the Commission under the National En-

vironmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and staff par-

ticipating in the applicable proceeding under this part.

(f) D

EVELOPING

BANDONED

INES FOR

UMPED

TORAGE

.—

(1) W

ORKSHOP

.—Not later than 6 months after the date of

enactment of this section, the Commission shall hold a work-

shop to explore potential opportunities for development of

closed-loop pumped storage projects at abandoned mine sites.

(2) G

UIDANCE

.—Not later than 1 year after the date of en-

actment of this section, the Commission shall issue guidance to

assist applicants for licenses or preliminary permits for closed-

loop pumped storage projects at abandoned mine sites.

(g) Q

UALIFYING

RITERIA FOR

LOSED

-L

OOP

UMPED

TORAGE

ROJECTS

.—

(1) I

N GENERAL

.—The Commission shall establish criteria

that a pumped storage project shall meet in order to qualify as

a closed-loop pumped storage project eligible for the expedited

process established under this section.

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As Amended Through P.L. 115-325, Enacted December 18, 2018

42Sec. 36 FEDERAL POWER ACT

(2) I

NCLUSIONS

.—In establishing the criteria under para-

graph (1), the Commission shall include criteria requiring that

the pumped storage project—

(A) cause little to no change to existing surface and

ground water flows and uses; and

(B) is unlikely to adversely affect species listed as a

threatened species or endangered species under the En-

dangered Species Act of 1973.

(h) S

AVINGS

LAUSE

.—Nothing in this section affects any au-

thority of the Commission to license a closed-loop pumped storage

project under this part.

ø16 U.S.C. 823f¿

SEC. 36. CONSIDERATIONS FOR RELICENSING TERMS.

(a) I

ENERAL

.—In determining the term of a new license

issued when an existing license under this part expires, the Com-

mission shall take into consideration, among other things—

(1) project-related investments by the licensee under the

new license; and

(2) project-related investments by the licensee over the

term of the existing license.

(b) E

QUAL

EIGHT

.—The determination of the Commission

under subsection (a) shall give equal weight to—

(1) investments by the licensee to implement the new li-

cense under this part, including investments relating to rede-

velopment, new construction, new capacity, efficiency, mod-

ernization, rehabilitation or replacement of major equipment,

safety improvements, or environmental, recreation, or other

protection, mitigation, or enhancement measures required or

authorized by the new license; and

(2) investments by the licensee over the term of the exist-

ing license (including any terms under annual licenses) that—

(A) resulted in redevelopment, new construction, new

capacity, efficiency, modernization, rehabilitation or re-

placement of major equipment, safety improvements, or

environmental, recreation, or other protection, mitigation,

or enhancement measures conducted over the term of the

existing license; and

(B) were not expressly considered by the Commission

as contributing to the length of the existing license term

in any order establishing or extending the existing license

term.

OMMISSION

ETERMINATION

.—At the request of the li-

censee, the Commission shall make a determination as to whether

any planned, ongoing, or completed investment meets the criteria

under subsection (b)(2). Any determination under this subsection

shall be issued within 60 days following receipt of the licensee’s re-

quest. When issuing its determination under this subsection, the

Commission shall not assess the incremental number of years that

the investment may add to the new license term. All such assess-

ment shall occur only as provided in subsection (a).

ø16 U.S.C. 823g¿

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As Amended Through P.L. 115-325, Enacted December 18, 2018

43 Sec. 201 FEDERAL POWER ACT

PART II—REGULATION OF ELECTRIC UTILITY COMPANIES

ENGAGED IN INTERSTATE COMMERCE

DECLARATION OF POLICY

;

APPLICATION OF PART

;

DEFINITIONS

ECTION

201. (a) It is hereby declared that the business of

transmitting and selling electric energy for ultimate distribution to

the public is affected with a public interest, and that Federal regu-

lation of matters relating to generation to the extent provided in

this Part and the Part next following and of that part of such busi-

ness which consists of the transmission of electric energy in inter-

state commerce and the sale of such energy at wholesale in inter-

state commerce is necessary in the public interest, such Federal

regulation, however, to extend only to those matters which are not

subject to regulation by the States.

(b)(1) The provisions of this Part shall apply to the trans-

mission of electric energy in interstate commerce and to the sale

of electric energy at wholesale in interstate commerce, but except

as provided in paragraph (2) shall not apply to any other sale of

electric energy or deprive a State or State commission of its lawful

authority now exercised over the exportation of hydroelectric en-

ergy which is transmitted across a State line. The Commission

shall have jurisdiction over all facilities for such transmission or

sale of electric energy, but shall not have jurisdiction, except as

specifically provided in this Part and the Part next following, over

facilities used for the generation of electric energy or over facilities

used in local distribution or only for the transmission of electric en-

ergy in intrastate commerce, or over facilities for the transmission

of electric energy consumed wholly by the transmitter.

(2) Notwithstanding section 201(f), the provisions of sections

203(a)(2), 206(e), 210, 211, 211A, 212, 215, 215A, 216, 217, 218,

219, 220, 221, and 222 shall apply to the entities described in such

provisions, and such entities shall be subject to the jurisdiction of

the Commission for purposes of carrying out such provisions and

for purposes of applying the enforcement authorities of this Act

with respect to such provisions. Compliance with any order of the

Commission under the provisions of section 203(a)(2), 206(e), 210,

211, 211A, 212, 215, 215A, 216, 217, 218, 219, 220, 221, or 222,

shall not make an electric utility or other entity subject to the ju-

risdiction of the Commission for any purposes other than the pur-

poses specified in the preceding sentence.

to be transmitted in interstate commerce if transmitted from a

State and consumed at any point outside thereof: but only insofar

as such transmission takes place within the United States.

(d) The term ‘‘sale of electric energy at wholesale’’ when used

in this Part means a sale of electric energy to any person for resale.

(e) The term ‘‘public utility’’ when used in this Part or in the

Part next following means any person who owns or operates facili-

ties subject to the jurisdiction of the Commission under this Part

(other than facilities subject to such jurisdiction solely by reason of

section 206(e), 206(f), 210, 211, 211A, 212, 215, 215A, 216, 217,

218, 219, 220, 221, or 222).

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As Amended Through P.L. 115-325, Enacted December 18, 2018

44Sec. 202 FEDERAL POWER ACT

(f) No provision in this Part shall apply to, or be deemed to in-

clude, the United States, a State or any political subdivision of a

State, an electric cooperative that receives financing under the

Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 901 et seq.) or that sells

less than 4,000,000 megawatt hours of electricity per year, or any

agency, authority, or instrumentality of any one or more of the

foregoing, or any corporation which is wholly owned, directly or in-

directly, by any one or more of the foregoing, or any officer, agent,

employee of any of the foregoing acting as such in the course of his

official duty, unless such provision makes specific reference thereto.

(g) B

OOKS AND

ECORDS

.—(1) Upon written order of a State

commission, a State commission may examine the books, accounts,

memoranda, contracts, and records of—

(A) an electric utility company subject to its regulatory au-

thority under State law,

(B) any exempt wholesale generator selling energy at

wholesale to such electric utility, and

of, which is an associate company or affiliate of an exempt

wholesale generator which sells electric energy to an electric

utility company referred to in subparagraph (A),

wherever located, if such examination is required for the effective

discharge of the State commission’s regulatory responsibilities af-

fecting the provision of electric service.

(2) Where a State commission issues an order pursuant to

paragraph (1), the State commission shall not publicly disclose

trade secrets or sensitive commercial information.

(3) Any United States district court located in the State in

which the State commission referred to in paragraph (1) is located

shall have jurisdiction to enforce compliance with this subsection.

(4) Nothing in this section shall—

(A) preempt applicable State law concerning the provision

of records and other information; or

(B) in any way limit rights to obtain records and other in-

formation under Federal law, contracts, or otherwise.

(5) As used in this subsection the terms ‘‘affiliate’’, ‘‘associate

company’’, ‘‘electric utility company’’, ‘‘holding company’’, ‘‘sub-

sidiary company’’, and ‘‘exempt wholesale generator’’ shall have the

same meaning as when used in the Public Utility Holding Com-

pany Act of 2005.

ø16 U.S.C. 824¿

INTERCONNECTION AND COORDINATION OF FACILITIES

;

EMERGENCIES

;

TRANSMISSION TO FOREIGN COUNTRIES

. 202. (a) For the purpose of assuring an abundant supply

of electric energy throughout the United States with the greatest

possible economy and with regard to the proper utilization and con-

servation of natural resources, the Commission is empowered and

directed to divide the country into regional districts for the vol-

untary interconnection and coordination of facilities for the genera-

tion, transmission, and sale of electric energy, and it may at any

time thereafter, upon its own motion or upon application, make

such modifications thereof as in its judgment will promote the pub-

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As Amended Through P.L. 115-325, Enacted December 18, 2018

45 Sec. 202 FEDERAL POWER ACT

lic interest. Each such district shall embrace an area which, in the

judgment of the Commission, can economically be served by such

interconnected and coordinated electric facilities. It shall be the

duty of the Commission to promote and encourage such inter-

connection and coordination within each such district and between

such districts. Before establishing any such district and fixing or

modifying the boundaries thereof the Commission shall give notice

to the State commission of each State situated wholly or in part

within such district, and shall afford each such State commission

reasonable opportunity to present its views and recommendations,

and shall receive and consider such views and recommendations.

(b) Whenever the Commission, upon application of any State

commission or of any person engaged in the transmission or sale

of electric energy, and after notice to each State commission and

public utility affected and after opportunity for hearing, finds such

action necessary or appropriate in the public interest it may by

order direct a public utility (if the Commission finds that no undue

burden will be placed upon such public utility thereby) to establish

physical connection of its transmission facilities with the facilities

of one or more other persons engaged in the transmission or sale

of electric energy, to sell energy to or exchange energy with such

persons: Provided, That the Commission shall have no authority to

compel the enlargement of generating facilities for such purposes,

nor to compel such public utility to sell or exchange energy when

to do so would impair its ability to render adequate service to its

customers. The Commission may prescribe the terms and condi-

tions of the arrangement to be made between the persons affected

by any such order, including the apportionment of cost between

them and the compensation or reimbursement reasonably due to

any of them.

(c)(1) During the continuance of any war in which the United

States is engaged, or whenever the Commission determines that an

emergency exists by reason of a sudden increase in the demand for

electric energy, or a shortage of electric energy or of facilities for

the generation or transmission of electric energy, or of fuel or water

for generating facilities, or other causes, the Commission shall have

authority, either upon its own motion or upon complaint, with or

without notice, hearing, or report, to require by order such tem-

porary connections of facilities and such generation, delivery, inter-

change, or transmission of electric energy as in its judgment will

best meet the emergency and serve the public interest. If the par-

ties affected by such order fail to agree upon the terms of any ar-

rangement between them in carrying out such order, the Commis-

sion, after hearing held either before or after such order takes ef-

fect, may prescribe by supplemental order such terms as it finds to

be just and reasonable, including the compensation or reimburse-

ment which should be paid to or by any such party.

(2) With respect to an order issued under this subsection that

may result in a conflict with a requirement of any Federal, State,

or local environmental law or regulation, the Commission shall en-

sure that such order requires generation, delivery, interchange, or

transmission of electric energy only during hours necessary to meet

the emergency and serve the public interest, and, to the maximum

extent practicable, is consistent with any applicable Federal, State,

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As Amended Through P.L. 115-325, Enacted December 18, 2018

46Sec. 202 FEDERAL POWER ACT

or local environmental law or regulation and minimizes any ad-

verse environmental impacts.

(3) To the extent any omission or action taken by a party, that

is necessary to comply with an order issued under this subsection,

including any omission or action taken to voluntarily comply with

such order, results in noncompliance with, or causes such party to

not comply with, any Federal, State, or local environmental law or

regulation, such omission or action shall not be considered a viola-

tion of such environmental law or regulation, or subject such party

to any requirement, civil or criminal liability, or a citizen suit

under such environmental law or regulation.

(4)(A) An order issued under this subsection that may result in

a conflict with a requirement of any Federal, State, or local envi-

ronmental law or regulation shall expire not later than 90 days

after it is issued. The Commission may renew or reissue such order

pursuant to paragraphs (1) and (2) for subsequent periods, not to

exceed 90 days for each period, as the Commission determines nec-

essary to meet the emergency and serve the public interest.

(B) In renewing or reissuing an order under subparagraph (A),

the Commission shall consult with the primary Federal agency

with expertise in the environmental interest protected by such law

or regulation, and shall include in any such renewed or reissued

order such conditions as such Federal agency determines necessary

to minimize any adverse environmental impacts to the extent prac-

ticable. The conditions, if any, submitted by such Federal agency

shall be made available to the public. The Commission may exclude

such a condition from the renewed or reissued order if it deter-

mines that such condition would prevent the order from adequately

addressing the emergency necessitating such order and provides in

the order, or otherwise makes publicly available, an explanation of

such determination.

(5) If an order issued under this subsection is subsequently

stayed, modified, or set aside by a court pursuant to section 313 or

any other provision of law, any omission or action previously taken

by a party that was necessary to comply with the order while the

order was in effect, including any omission or action taken to vol-

untarily comply with the order, shall remain subject to paragraph

(3).

(d) During the continuance of any emergency requiring imme-

diate action, any person or municipality engaged in the trans-

mission or sale of electric energy and not otherwise subject to the

jurisdiction of the Commission may make such temporary connec-

tions with any public utility subject to the jurisdiction of the Com-

mission or may construct such temporary facilities for the trans-

mission of electric energy in interstate commerce as may be nec-

essary or appropriate to meet such emergency, and shall not be-

come subject to the jurisdiction of the Commission by reason of

such temporary connection or temporary construction: Provided,

That such temporary connection shall be discontinued or such tem-

porary construction removed or otherwise disposed of upon the ter-

mination of such emergency: Provided further, That upon approval

of the Commission permanent connections for emergency use only

may be made hereunder.

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47 Sec. 203 FEDERAL POWER ACT

(e) After six months from the date on which this Part takes ef-

fect, no person shall transmit any electric energy from the United

States to a foreign country without first having secured an order

of the Commission authorizing it to do so. The Commission shall

issue such order upon application unless, after opportunity for

hearing, it finds that the proposed transmission would impair the

sufficiency of electric supply within the United States or would im-

pede or tend to impede the coordination in the public interest of fa-

cilities subject to the jurisdiction of the Commission. The Commis-

sion may by its order grant such application in whole or in part,

with such modifications and upon such terms and conditions as the

Commission may find necessary or appropriate, and may from time

to time, after opportunity for hearing and for good cause shown,

make such supplemental orders in the premises as it may find nec-

essary or appropriate.

(f) The ownership or operation of facilities for the transmission

or sale at wholesale of electric energy which is (a) generated within

a State and transmitted from that State across an international

boundary and not thereafter transmitted into any other State, or

(b) generated in a foreign country and transmitted across an inter-

national boundary into a State and not thereafter transmitted into

any other State, shall not make a person a public utility subject to

regulation as such under other provisions of this part. The State

within which any such facilities are located may regulate any such

transaction insofar as such State regulation does not conflict with

the exercise of the Commission’s powers under or relating to sub-

section 202(e).

(g) In order to insure continuity of service to customers of pub-

lic utilities, the Commission shall require by rule, each public util-

ity to—

(1) report promptly to the Commission and any appro-

priate State regulatory authorities any anticipated shortage of

electric energy or capacity which would affect such utility’s ca-

pability of serving its wholesale customers,

(2) submit to the Commission, and to any appropriate

State regulatory authority, and periodically revise, contingency

plans respecting—

(A) shortages of electric energy or capacity, and

(B) circumstances which may result in such shortages,

and

(3) accommodate any such shortages or circumstances in a

manner which shall—

(A) give due consideration to the public health, safety,

and welfare, and

(B) provide that all persons served directly or indi-

rectly by such public utility will be treated, without undue

prejudice or disadvantage.

ø16 U.S.C. 824a¿

DISPOSITION OF PROPERTY

;

CONSOLIDATION

;

PURCHASE OF

SECURITIES

. 203. (a)(1) No public utility shall, without first having se-

cured an order of the Commission authorizing it to do so—

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The margins of subparagraphs (A) through (D) are so in law.

(A)

sell, lease, or otherwise dispose of the whole of

its facilities subject to the jurisdiction of the Commission,

or any part thereof of a value in excess of $10,000,000;

(B) merge or consolidate, directly or indirectly, its facilities

subject to the jurisdiction of the Commission, or any part

thereof, with the facilities of any other person, or any part

thereof, that are subject to the jurisdiction of the Commission

and have a value in excess of $10,000,000, by any means what-

soever;

value in excess of $10,000,000 of any other public utility;

(D) purchase, lease, or otherwise acquire an existing

generation facility—

(i) that has a value in excess of $10,000,000; and

(ii) that is used for interstate wholesale sales and

over which the Commission has jurisdiction for rate-

making purposes.

(2) No holding company in a holding company system that

includes a transmitting utility or an electric utility shall pur-

chase, acquire, or take any security with a value in excess of

$10,000,000 of, or, by any means whatsoever, directly or indi-

rectly, merge or consolidate with, a transmitting utility, an

electric utility company, or a holding company in a holding

company system that includes a transmitting utility, or an

electric utility company, with a value in excess of $10,000,000

without first having secured an order of the Commission au-

thorizing it to do so.

(3) Upon receipt of an application for such approval the

Commission shall give reasonable notice in writing to the Gov-

ernor and State commission of each of the States in which the

physical property affected, or any part thereof, is situated, and

to such other persons as it may deem advisable.

(4) After notice and opportunity for hearing, the Commis-

sion shall approve the proposed disposition, consolidation, ac-

quisition, or change in control, if it finds that the proposed

transaction will be consistent with the public interest, and will

not result in cross-subsidization of a non-utility associate com-

pany or the pledge or encumbrance of utility assets for the ben-

efit of an associate company, unless the Commission deter-

mines that the cross-subsidization, pledge, or encumbrance will

be consistent with the public interest.

(5) The Commission shall, by rule, adopt procedures for

the expeditious consideration of applications for the approval of

dispositions, consolidations, or acquisitions, under this section.

Such rules shall identify classes of transactions, or specify cri-

teria for transactions, that normally meet the standards estab-

lished in paragraph (4). The Commission shall provide expe-

dited review for such transactions. The Commission shall grant

or deny any other application for approval of a transaction not

later than 180 days after the application is filed. If the Com-

mission does not act within 180 days, such application shall be

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49 Sec. 204 FEDERAL POWER ACT

deemed granted unless the Commission finds, based on good

cause, that further consideration is required to determine

whether the proposed transaction meets the standards of para-

graph (4) and issues an order tolling the time for acting on the

application for not more than 180 days, at the end of which ad-

ditional period the Commission shall grant or deny the applica-

tion.

(6) For purposes of this subsection, the terms ‘‘associate

company’’, ‘‘holding company’’, and ‘‘holding company system’’

have the meaning given those terms in the Public Utility Hold-

ing Company Act of 2005.

(7)(A) Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment

of this paragraph, the Commission shall promulgate a rule re-

quiring any public utility that is seeking to merge or consoli-

date, directly or indirectly, its facilities subject to the jurisdic-

tion of the Commission, or any part thereof, with those of any

other person, to notify the Commission of such transaction not

later than 30 days after the date on which the transaction is

consummated if—

(i) the facilities, or any part thereof, to be acquired are

of a value in excess of $1,000,000; and

(ii) such public utility is not required to secure an

order of the Commission under paragraph (1)(B).

(B) In establishing any notification requirement under sub-

paragraph (A), the Commission shall, to the maximum extent

practicable, minimize the paperwork burden resulting from the

collection of information.

(b) The Commission may grant any application for an order

under this section in whole or in part and upon such terms and

conditions as it finds necessary or appropriate to secure the main-

tenance of adequate service and the coordination in the public in-

terest of facilities subject to the jurisdiction of the Commission. The

Commission may from time to time for good cause shown make

such orders supplemental to any order made under this section as

it may find necessary or appropriate.

ø16 U.S.C. 824b¿

ISSUANCE OF SECURITIES

;

ASSUMPTION OF LIABILITIES

. 204. (a) No public utility shall issue any security, or as-

sume any obligation or liability as guarantor, indorser, surety, or

otherwise in respect of any security of another person, unless and

until, and then only to the extent that, upon application by the

public utility, the Commission by order authorized such issue or as-

sumption of liability. The Commission shall make such order if it

finds that such issue or assumption (a) is for some lawful object,

within the corporate purposes of the applicant and compatible with

the public interest, which is necessary or appropriate for or con-

sistent with the proper performance by the applicant of service as

a public utility and which will not impair its ability to perform that

service, and (b) is reasonably necessary or appropriate for such

purposes. The provisions of this section shall be effective six

months after this Part takes effect.

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(b) The Commission, after opportunity for hearing, may grant

any application under this section in whole or in part, and with

such modifications and upon such terms and conditions as it may

find necessary or appropriate, and may from time to time, after op-

portunity for hearing and for good cause shown, make such supple-

mental orders in the premises as it may find necessary or appro-

priate, and may by any such supplemental order modify the provi-

sions of any previous order as to the particular purposes, uses, and

extent to which, or the conditions under which, any security so

theretofore authorized or the proceeds thereof may be applied, sub-

ject always to the requirements of subsection (a) of this section.

sion, apply any security or any proceeds thereof to any purpose not

specified in the Commission’s order, or supplemental order, or to

any purpose in excess of the amount allowed for such purpose in

such order, or otherwise in contravention of such order.

(d) The Commission shall not authorize the capitalization of

the right to be a corporation or of any franchise, permit, or con-

tracts for consolidation, merger, or lease in excess of the amount

(exclusive of any tax or annual charge) actually paid as the consid-

eration for such right, franchise, permit, or contract.

(e) Subsection (a) shall not apply to the issue or renewal of, or

assumption of liability on, a note or draft maturing not more than

one year after the date of such issue, renewal, or assumption of li-

ability, and aggregating (together with all other then outstanding

notes and drafts of a maturity of one year or less on which such

public utility is primarily or secondarily liable) not more that 5 per

centum of the par value of the other securities of the public utility

then outstanding. In the case of securities having no par value, the

par value for the purpose of this subsection shall be the fair market

value as of the date of issue. Within ten days after any such issue,

renewal, or assumption of liability, the public utility shall file with

the Commission a certificate of notification, in such form as may

be prescribed by the Commission, setting forth such matters as the

Commission shall by regulations require.

(f) The provisions of this section shall not extend to a public

utility organized and operating in a State under the laws of which

its security issues are regulated by a State commission.

(g) Nothing in this section shall be construed to imply any

guarantee or obligation on the part of the United States in respect

of any securities to which the provisions of this section relate.

(h) Any public utility whose security issues are approved by

the Commission under this section may file with the Securities and

Exchange Commission duplicate copies of reports filed with the

Federal Power Commission in lieu of the reports, information, and

documents required under section 7 of the Securities Act of 1933

and section 12 and 13 of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934.

ø16 U.S.C. 824c¿

RATE AND CHARGES

;

SCHEDULES

;

SUSPENSION OF NEW RATES

. 205. (a) All rates and charges made, demanded, or re-

ceived by any public utility for or in connection with the trans-

mission or sale of electric energy subject to the jurisdiction of the

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51 Sec. 205 FEDERAL POWER ACT

Commission, and all rules and regulations affecting or pertaining

to such rates or charges shall be just and reasonable, and any such

rate or charge that is not just and reasonable is hereby declared

to be unlawful.

(b) No public utility shall, with respect to any transmission or

sale subject to the jurisdiction of the Commission, (1) make or

grant any undue preference or advantage to any person or subject

any person to any undue prejudice or disadvantage, or (2) maintain

any unreasonable difference in rates, charges, service, facilities, or

in any other respect, either as between localities or as between

classes of service.

prescribe, every public utility shall file with the Commission, with-

in such time and in such form as the Commission may designate,

and shall keep open in convenient form and place for public inspec-

tion schedules showing all rates and charges for any transmission

or sale subject to the jurisdiction of the Commission, and the classi-

fication, practices, and regulations affecting such rates and

charges, together with all contracts which in any manner affect or

relate to such rates, charges, classifications, and services.

(d) Unless the Commission otherwise orders, no change shall

be made by any public utility in any such rates, charges, classifica-

tion, or service, or in any rule, regulation, or contract relating

thereto, except after sixty days’ notice to the Commission and to

the public. Such notice shall be given by filing with the Commis-

sion and keeping open for public inspection new schedules stating

plainly the change or changes to be made in the schedule or sched-

ules then in force and the time when the change or changes will

go into effect. The Commission, for good cause shown, may allow

changes to take effect without requiring the sixty days’ notice here-

in provided for by an order specifying the changes so to be made

and the time when they shall take effect and the manner in which

they shall be filed and published.

(e) Whenever any such new schedule is filed the Commission

shall have authority, either upon complaint or upon its own initia-

tive without complaint at once, and, if it so orders, without answer

or formal pleading by the public utility, but upon reasonable notice

to enter upon a hearing concerning the lawfulness of such rate,

charge, classification, or service; and, pending such hearing and the

decision thereon the Commission, upon filing with such schedules

and delivering to the public utility affected thereby a statement in

writing of its reasons for such suspension, may suspend the oper-

ation of such schedule and defer the use of such rate, charge, clas-

sification, or service, but not for a longer period than five months

beyond the time when it would otherwise go into effect; and after

full hearings, either completed before or after the rate, charge, clas-

sification, or service goes into effect, the Commission may make

such orders with reference thereto as would be proper in a pro-

ceeding initiated after it had become effective. If the proceeding has

not been concluded and an order made at the expiration of such

five months, the proposed change of rate, charge, classification, or

service shall go into effect at the end of such period, but in case

of a proposed increased rate or charge, the Commission may by

order require the interested public utility or public utilities to keep

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52Sec. 205 FEDERAL POWER ACT

accurate account in detail of all amounts received by reason of such

increase, specifying by whom and in whose behalf such amounts

are paid, and upon completion of the hearing and decision may by

further order require such public utility or public utilities to re-

fund, with interest, to the persons in whose behalf such amounts

were paid, such portion of such increased rates or charges as by its

decision shall be found not justified. At any hearing involving a

rate or charge sought to be increased, the burden of proof to show

that the increased rate or charge is just and reasonable shall be

upon the public utility, and the Commission shall give to the hear-

ing and decision of such questions preference over other questions

pending before it and decide the same as speedily as possible.

(f)(1) Not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of

this subsection and not less often than every 4 years thereafter, the

Commission shall make a thorough review of automatic adjustment

clauses in public utility rate schedules to examine—

(A) whether or not each such clause effectively provides in-

centives for efficient use of resources (including economical

purchase and use of fuel and electric energy), and

(B) whether any such clause reflects any costs other than

costs which are—

(i) subject to periodic fluctuations, and

(ii) not susceptible to precise determinations in rate

cases prior to the time such costs are incurred.

Such review may take place in individual rate proceedings or in ge-

neric or other separate proceedings applicable to one or more utili-

ties.

(2) Not less frequently than every 2 years, in rate proceedings

or in generic or other separate proceedings, the Commission shall

review, with respect to each public utility, practices under any

automatic adjustment clauses of such utility to insure efficient use

of resources (including economical purchase and use of fuel and

electric energy) under such clauses.

(3) The Commission may, on its own motion or upon complaint,

after an opportunity for an evidentiary hearing, order a public util-

ity to—

(A) modify the terms and provisions of any automatic ad-

justment clause, or

(B) cease any practice in connection with the clause,

if such clause or practice does not result in the economical pur-

chase and use of fuel, electric energy, or other items, the cost of

which is included in any rate schedule under an automatic adjust-

ment clause.

(4) As used in this subsection, the term ‘‘automatic adjustment

clause’’ means a provision of a rate schedule which provides for in-

creases or decreases (or both), without prior hearing, in rates re-

flecting increases or decreases (or both) in costs incurred by an

electric utility. Such term does not include any rate which takes ef-

fect subject to refund and subject to a later determination of the

appropriate amount of such rate.

(g) I

NACTION OF

OMMISSIONERS

.—

(1) I

N GENERAL

.—With respect to a change described in

subsection (d), if the Commission permits the 60-day period es-

tablished therein to expire without issuing an order accepting

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53 Sec. 206 FEDERAL POWER ACT

or denying the change because the Commissioners are divided

two against two as to the lawfulness of the change, as a result

of vacancy, incapacity, or recusal on the Commission, or if the

Commission lacks a quorum—

(A) the failure to issue an order accepting or denying

the change by the Commission shall be considered to be an

order issued by the Commission accepting the change for

purposes of section 313(a); and

(B) each Commissioner shall add to the record of the

Commission a written statement explaining the views of

the Commissioner with respect to the change.

(2) A

PPEAL

.—If, pursuant to this subsection, a person

seeks a rehearing under section 313(a), and the Commission

fails to act on the merits of the rehearing request by the date

that is 30 days after the date of the rehearing request because

the Commissioners are divided two against two, as a result of

vacancy, incapacity, or recusal on the Commission, or if the

Commission lacks a quorum, such person may appeal under

section 313(b).

ø16 U.S.C. 824d¿

FIXING RATES AND CHARGES

;

DETERMINATION OF COST OF

PRODUCTION OR TRANSPORTATION

. 206. (a) Whenever the Commission, after a hearing held

upon its own motion or upon complaint, shall find that any rate,

charges, or classification demanded, observed, charged, or collected

by any public utility for any transmission or sale subject to the ju-

risdiction of the Commission, or that any rule, regulation, practice,

or contract affecting such rate, charge, or classification is unjust,

unreasonable, unduly discriminatory or preferential, the Commis-

sion shall determine the just and reasonable rate, charge, classi-

fication, rule, regulation, practice, or contract to be thereafter ob-

served and in force, and shall fix the same by order. Any complaint

or motion of the Commission to initiate a proceeding under this

section shall state the change or changes to be made in the rate,

charge, classification, rule, regulation, practice, or contract then in

force, and the reasons for any proposed change or changes therein.

If, after review of any motion or complaint and answer, the Com-

mission shall decide to hold a hearing, it shall fix by order the time

and place of such hearing and shall specify the issues to be adju-

dicated.

(b) Whenever the Commission institutes a proceeding under

this section, the Commission shall establish a refund effective date.

In the case of a proceeding instituted on complaint, the refund ef-

fective date shall not be earlier than the date of the filing of such

complaint nor later than 5 months after the filing of such com-

plaint. In the case of a proceeding instituted by the Commission on

its own motion, the refund effective date shall not be earlier than

the date of the publication by the Commission of notice of its inten-

tion to initiate such proceeding nor later than 5 months after the

publication date. Upon institution of a proceeding under this sec-

tion, the Commission shall give to the decision of such proceeding

the same preference as provided under section 205 of this Act and

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54Sec. 206 FEDERAL POWER ACT

otherwise act as speedily as possible. If no final decision is ren-

dered by the conclusion of the 180-day period commencing upon

initiation of a proceeding pursuant to this section, the Commission

shall state the reasons why it has failed to do so and shall state

its best estimate as to when it reasonably expects to make such de-

cision. In any proceeding under this section, the burden of proof to

show that any rate, charge, classification, rule, regulation, practice,

or contract is unjust, unreasonable, unduly discriminatory, or pref-

erential shall be upon the Commission or the complainant. At the

conclusion of any proceeding under this section, the Commission

may order refunds of any amounts paid, for the period subsequent

to the refund effective date through a date fifteen months after

such refund effective date, in excess of those which would have

been paid under the just and reasonable rate, charge, classification,

rule, regulation, practice, or contract which the Commission orders

to be thereafter observed and in force: Provided, That if the pro-

ceeding is not concluded within fifteen months after the refund ef-

fective date and if the Commission determines at the conclusion of

the proceeding that the proceeding was not resolved within the fif-

teen-month period primarily because of dilatory behavior by the

public utility, the Commission may order refunds of any or all

amounts paid for the period subsequent to the refund effective date

and prior to the conclusion of the proceeding. The refunds shall be

made, with interest, to those persons who have paid those rates or

charges which are the subject of the proceeding.

under this section involving two or more electric utility companies

of a registered holding company, refunds which might otherwise be

payable under subsection (b) shall not be ordered to the extent that

such refunds would result from any portion of a Commission order

that (1) requires a decrease in system production or transmission

costs to be paid by one or more of such electric companies; and (2)

is based upon a determination that the amount of such decrease

should be paid through an increase in the costs to be paid by other

electric utility companies of such registered holding company: Pro-

vided, That refunds, in whole or in part, may be ordered by the

Commission if it determines that the registered holding company

would not experience any reduction in revenues which results from

an inability of an electric utility company of the holding company

to recover such increase in costs for the period between the refund

effective date and the effective date of the Commission’s order. For

purposes of this subsection, the terms ‘‘electric utility companies’’

and ‘‘registered holding company’’ shall have the same meanings as

provided in the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, as

amended.

(d) The Commission upon its own motion, or upon the request

of any State commission whenever it can do so without prejudice

to the efficient and proper conduct of its affairs, may investigate

and determine the cost of the production or transmission of electric

energy by means of facilities under the jurisdiction of the Commis-

sion in cases where the Commission has no authority to establish

a rate governing the sale of such energy.

(e)(1) In this subsection:

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55 Sec. 207 FEDERAL POWER ACT

(A) The term ‘‘short-term sale’’ means an agreement for

the sale of electric energy at wholesale in interstate commerce

that is for a period of 31 days or less (excluding monthly con-

tracts subject to automatic renewal).

(B) The term ‘‘applicable Commission rule’’ means a Com-

mission rule applicable to sales at wholesale by public utilities

that the Commission determines after notice and comment

should also be applicable to entities subject to this subsection.

(2) If an entity described in section 201(f) voluntarily makes a

short-term sale of electric energy through an organized market in

which the rates for the sale are established by Commission-ap-

proved tariff (rather than by contract) and the sale violates the

terms of the tariff or applicable Commission rules in effect at the

time of the sale, the entity shall be subject to the refund authority

of the Commission under this section with respect to the violation.

(3) This section shall not apply to—

(A) any entity that sells in total (including affiliates of the

entity) less than 8,000,000 megawatt hours of electricity per

year; or

(B) an electric cooperative.

(4)(A) The Commission shall have refund authority under para-

graph (2) with respect to a voluntary short term sale of electric en-

ergy by the Bonneville Power Administration only if the sale is at

an unjust and unreasonable rate.

(B) The Commission may order a refund under subparagraph

(A) only for short-term sales made by the Bonneville Power Admin-

istration at rates that are higher than the highest just and reason-

able rate charged by any other entity for a short-term sale of elec-

tric energy in the same geographic market for the same, or most

nearly comparable, period as the sale by the Bonneville Power Ad-

ministration.

Tennessee Valley Authority, the Commission shall not assert or ex-

ercise any regulatory authority or power under paragraph (2) other

than the ordering of refunds to achieve a just and reasonable rate.

ø16 U.S.C. 824e¿

FURNISHING OF ADEQUATE SERVICE

. 207. Whenever the Commission, upon complaint of a

State commission, after notice to each State commission and public

utility affected and after opportunity for hearing, shall find that

any interstate service of any public utility is inadequate or insuffi-

cient, the Commission shall determine the proper, adequate, or suf-

ficient service to be furnished, and shall fix the same by its order,

rule, or regulation: Provided, That the Commission shall have no

authority to compel the enlargement of generating facilities for

such purposes, nor to compel the public utility to sell or exchange

energy when to do so would impair its ability to render adequate

service to its customers.

ø16 U.S.C. 824f¿

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56Sec. 208 FEDERAL POWER ACT

ASCERTAINMENT OF COST PROPERTY

. 208. (a) The Commission may investigate and ascertain

the actual legitimate cost of the property of every public utility, the

depreciation therein, and, when found necessary for rate-making

purposes, other facts which bear on the determination of such cost

or depreciation, and the fair value of such property.

(b) Every public utility upon request shall file with the Com-

mission an inventory of all or any part of its property and a state-

ment of the original cost thereof, and shall keep the Commission

informed regarding the cost of all additions, betterments, exten-

sions, and new construction.

ø16 U.S.C. 824g¿

USE OF JOINT BOARDS

;

COOPERATION WITH STATE COMMISSIONS

. 209. (a) The Commission may refer any matter arising in

the administration of this Part to a board to be composed of a

member or members, as determined by the Commission, from the

State or each of the States affected or to be affected by such mat-

ter. Any such board shall be vested with the same power and be

subject to the same duties and liabilities as in the case of a mem-

ber of the Commission when designated by the Commission to hold

any hearings. The action of such board shall have such force and

affect and its proceedings shall be conducted in such manner as the

Commission shall by regulations prescribe. The board shall be ap-

pointed by the Commission from persons nominated by the State

commission of each State affected, or by the Governor of such State

if there is no State commission. Each State affected shall be enti-

tled to the same number of representatives on the board unless the

nominating power of such State waives such right. The Commis-

sion shall have discretion to reject the nominee from any State, but

shall thereupon invite a new nomination from that State. The

members of a board shall receive such allowances for expenses as

the Commission shall provide. The Commission may, when in its

discretion sufficient reason exists therefor, revoke any reference to

such a board.

(b) The Commission may confer with any State commission re-

garding the relationship between rate structures, costs, accounts,

charges, practices, classifications, and regulations of public utilities

subject to the jurisdiction of such State commission and of the

Commission; and the Commission is authorized, under such rules

and regulations as it shall prescribe, to hold joint hearings with

any State commission in connection with any matter with respect

to which the Commission is authorized to act. The Commission is

authorized in the administration of this Act to avail itself of such

cooperation, services, records, and facilities as may be afforded by

any State commission.

commissions such information and reports as may be of assistance

in State regulation of public utilities. Whenever the Commission

can do so without prejudice to the efficient and proper conduct of

its affairs, it may upon request from the State make available to

such State as witnesses any of its trained rate, valuation, or other

experts, subject to reimbursement to the Commission by such State

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57 Sec. 210 FEDERAL POWER ACT

of the compensation and traveling expenses of such witnesses. All

sums collected hereunder shall be credited to the appropriation

from which the amounts were expended in carrying out the provi-

sions of this subsection.

ø16 U.S.C. 824h¿

CERTAIN INTERCONNECTION AUTHORITY

. 210. (a)(1) Upon application of any electric utility, Federal

power marketing agency, geothermal power producer (including a

producer which is not an electric utility), qualifying cogenerator, or

qualifying small power producer, the Commission may issue an

order requiring—

(A) the physical connection of any cogeneration facility,

any small power production facility, or the transmission facili-

ties of any electric utility, with the facilities of such applicant.

(B) such action as may be necessary to make effective any

physical connection described in subparagraph (A), which phys-

ical connection is ineffective for any reason, such as inadequate

size, poor maintenance, or physical unreliability.

nation, as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of any

order under subparagraph (A) or (B), or

(D) such increase in transmission capacity as may be nec-

essary to carry out the purposes of any order under subpara-

graph (A) or (B).

(2) any State regulatory authority may apply to the Commis-

sion for an order for any action referred to in subparagraph (A),

(B), (C), or (D) of paragraph (1). No such order may be issued by

the Commission with respect to a Federal power marketing agency

upon application of a State regulatory authority.

(b) Upon receipt of an application under subsection (a), the

Commission shall—

(1) issue notice to each affected State regulatory authority,

each affected electric utility, each affected Federal power mar-

keting agency, each affected owner or operator of a cogenera-

tion facility or of a small power production facility, and to the

public.

(2) afford an opportunity for an evidentiary hearing, and

(3) make a determination with respect to the matters re-

ferred to in subsection (c).

section (a) unless the Commission determines that such order—

(1) is in the public interest,

(2) would—

(A) encourage overall conservation of energy or capital,

(B) optimize the efficiency of use of facilities and re-

sources, or

tem or Federal power marketing agency to which the order

applies, and

(3) meets the requirements of section 212.

(d) The Commission may, on its own motion, after compliance

with the requirements of paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (b),

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58Sec. 211 FEDERAL POWER ACT

issue an order requiring any action described in subsection (a)(1)

if the Commission determines that such order meets the require-

ments of subsection (c). No such order may be issued upon the

Commission’s own motion with respect to a Federal power mar-

keting agency.

(e)(1) As used in this section, the term ‘‘facilities’’ means only

facilities used for the generation or transmission of electric energy.

(2) With respect to an order issued pursuant to an application

of a qualifying cogenerator or qualifying small power producer

under subsection (a)(1), the term ‘‘facilities of such applicant’’

means the qualifying cogeneration facilities or qualifying small

power production facilities of the applicant, as specified in the ap-

plication. With respect to an order issued pursuant to an applica-

tion under subsection (a)(2), the term ‘‘facilities of such applicant’’

means the qualifying cogeneration facilities, qualifying small power

production facilities, or the transmission facilities of an electric

utility, as specified in the application. With respect to an order

issued by the Commission on its own motion under subsection (d),

such term means the qualifying cogeneration facilities, qualifying

small power production facilities, or the transmission facilities of

an electric utility, as specified in the proposed order.

ø16 U.S.C. 824i¿

CERTAIN WHEELING AUTHORITY

. 211. (a) Any electric utility, Federal power marketing

agency, or any other person generating electric energy for sale for

resale, may apply to the Commission for an order under this sub-

section requiring a transmitting utility to provide transmission

services (including any enlargement of transmission capacity nec-

essary to provide such services) to the applicant. Upon receipt of

such application, after public notice and notice to each affected

State regulatory authority, each affected electric utility, and each

affected Federal power marketing agency, and after affording an

opportunity for an evidentiary hearing, the Commission may issue

such order if it finds that such order meets the requirements of sec-

tion 212, and would otherwise be in the public interest. No order

may be issued under this subsection unless the applicant has made

a request for transmission services to the transmitting utility that

would be the subject of such order at least 60 days prior to its filing

of an application for such order.

(b) R

ELIABILITY OF

LECTRIC

ERVICE

.—No order may be

issued under this section or section 210 if, after giving consider-

ation to consistently applied regional or national reliability stand-

ards, guidelines, or criteria, the Commission finds that such order

would unreasonably impair the continued reliability of electric sys-

tems affected by the order.

requires the transmitting utility subject to the order to transmit,

during any period, an amount of electric energy which replaces any

amount of electric energy—

(1) required to be provided to such applicant pursuant to

a contract during such period, or

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59 Sec. 211 FEDERAL POWER ACT

(2) currently provided to the applicant by the utility sub-

ject to the order pursuant to a rate schedule on file during

such period with the Commission: Provided, That nothing in

this subparagraph shall prevent an application for an order

hereunder to be filed prior to termination or modification of an

existing rate schedule: Provided, That such order shall not be-

come effective until termination of such rate schedule or the

modification becomes effective.

(d)(1) Any transmitting utility ordered under subsection (a)

or (b) to provide transmission services may apply to the Com-

mission for an order permitting such transmitting utility to

cease providing all, or any portion of, such services. After pub-

lic notice, notice to each affected State regulatory authority,

each affected Federal power marketing agency, each affected

transmitting utility, and each affected electric utility, and after

an opportunity for an evidentiary hearing, the Commission

shall issue an order terminating or modifying the order issued

under subsection (a) or (b), if the transmitting utility providing

such transmission services has demonstrated, and the Commis-

sion has found, that—

(A) due to changed circumstances, the requirements appli-

cable, under this section and section 212, to the issuance of an

order under subsection (a) or (b) are no longer met, or

(B) any transmission capacity of the utility providing

transmission services under such order which was, at the time

such order was issued, in excess of the capacity necessary to

serve its own customers is no longer in excess of the capacity

necessary for such purposes, or

of transmission capacity and the transmitting utility subject to

the order has failed, after making a good faith effort, to obtain

the necessary approvals or property rights under applicable

Federal, State, and local laws.

No order shall be issued under this subsection pursuant to a find-

ing under subparagraph (A) unless the Commission finds that such

order is in the public interest.

(2) Any order issued under this subsection terminating or

modifying an order issued under subsection (a) or (b) shall—

(A) provide for any appropriate compensation, and

(B) provide the affected electric utilities adequate oppor-

tunity and time to—

(i) make suitable alternative arrangements for any

transmission services terminated or modified, and

(ii) insure that the interests of ratepayers of such utili-

ties are adequately protected.

(3) No order may be issued under this subsection terminating

or modifying any order issued under subsection (a) or (b) if the

order under subsection (a) or (b) includes terms and conditions

agreed upon by the parties which—

(A) fix a period during which transmission services are to

be provided under the order under subsection (a) or (b), or

(B) otherwise provide procedures or methods for termi-

nating or modifying such order (including, if appropriate, the

return of the transmission capacity when necessary to take

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60Sec. 211A FEDERAL POWER ACT

into account an increase, after the issuance of such order, in

the needs of the transmitting utility subject to such order for

transmission capacity).

(e) As used in this section, the term ‘‘facilities’’ means only fa-

cilities used for the generation or transmission of electric energy.

ø16 U.S.C. 824j¿

SEC. 211A. OPEN ACCESS BY UNREGULATED TRANSMITTING UTILI-

TIES.

(a) D

EFINITION OF

NREGULATED

RANSMITTING

TILITY

.—In

this section, the term ‘‘unregulated transmitting utility’’ means an

entity that—

(1) owns or operates facilities used for the transmission of

electric energy in interstate commerce; and

(2) is an entity described in section 201(f).

(b) T

RANSMISSION

PERATION

ERVICES

.—Subject to section

212(h), the Commission may, by rule or order, require an unregu-

lated transmitting utility to provide transmission services—

(1) at rates that are comparable to those that the unregu-

lated transmitting utility charges itself; and

(2) on terms and conditions (not relating to rates) that are

comparable to those under which the unregulated transmitting

utility provides transmission services to itself and that are not

unduly discriminatory or preferential.

XEMPTION

.—The Commission shall exempt from any rule

or order under this section any unregulated transmitting utility

that—

(1) sells not more than 4,000,000 megawatt hours of elec-

tricity per year;

(2) does not own or operate any transmission facilities that

are necessary for operating an interconnected transmission

system (or any portion of the system); or

(3) meets other criteria the Commission determines to be

in the public interest.

(d) L

OCAL

ISTRIBUTION

ACILITIES

.—The requirements of sub-

section (b) shall not apply to facilities used in local distribution.

(e) E

XEMPTION

ERMINATION

.—If the Commission, after an evi-

dentiary hearing held on a complaint and after giving consideration

to reliability standards established under section 215, finds on the

basis of a preponderance of the evidence that any exemption grant-

ed pursuant to subsection (c) unreasonably impairs the continued

reliability of an interconnected transmission system, the Commis-

sion shall revoke the exemption granted to the transmitting utility.

(f) A

PPLICATION TO

NREGULATED

RANSMITTING

TILITIES

.—

The rate changing procedures applicable to public utilities under

subsections (c) and (d) of section 205 are applicable to unregulated

transmitting utilities for purposes of this section.

(g) R

EMAND

.—In exercising authority under subsection (b)(1),

the Commission may remand transmission rates to an unregulated

transmitting utility for review and revision if necessary to meet the

requirements of subsection (b).

(h) O

THER

EQUESTS

.—The provision of transmission services

under subsection (b) does not preclude a request for transmission

services under section 211.

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61 Sec. 212 FEDERAL POWER ACT

(i) L

IMITATION

.—The Commission may not require a State or

municipality to take action under this section that would violate a

private activity bond rule for purposes of section 141 of the Inter-

nal Revenue Code of 1986.

(j) T

RANSFER OF

ONTROL OF

RANSMITTING

ACILITIES

.—Noth-

ing in this section authorizes the Commission to require an unregu-

lated transmitting utility to transfer control or operational control

of its transmitting facilities to a Transmission Organization that is

designated to provide nondiscriminatory transmission access.

ø16 U.S.C. 824j–1¿

PROVISIONS REGARDING CERTAIN ORDERS REQUIRING

INTERCONNECTION OR WHEELING

. 212. (a) R

ATES

, C

HARGES

, T

ERMS

AND

ONDITIONS FOR

HOLESALE

RANSMISSION

ERVICES

.—An order under section 211

shall require the transmitting utility subject to the order to provide

wholesale transmission services at rates, charges, terms, and condi-

tions which permit the recovery by such utility of all the costs in-

curred in connection with the transmission services and necessary

associated services, including, but not limited to, an appropriate

share, if any, of legitimate, verifiable and economic costs, including

taking into account any benefits to the transmission system of pro-

viding the transmission service, and the costs of any enlargement

of transmission facilities. Such rates, charges, terms, and condi-

tions shall promote the economically efficient transmission and

generation of electricity and shall be just and reasonable, and not

unduly discriminatory or preferential. Rates, charges, terms, and

conditions for transmission services provided pursuant to an order

under section 211 shall ensure that, to the extent practicable, costs

incurred in providing the wholesale transmission services, and

properly allocable to the provision of such services, are recovered

from the applicant for such order and not from a transmitting util-

ity’s existing wholesale, retail, and transmission customers.

øSubsection (b) repealed¿

(c)(1) Before issuing an order under section 210 of subsection

(a) or (b) of section 211, the Commission shall issue a proposed

order and set a reasonable time for parties to the proposed inter-

connection or transmission order to agree to terms and conditions

under which such order is to be carried out, including the appor-

tionment of costs between them and the compensation or reim-

bursement reasonably due to any of them. Such proposed order

shall not be reviewable or enforceable in any court. The time set

for such parties to agree to such terms and conditions may be

shortened if the Commission determines that delay would jeop-

ardize the attainment of the purposes of any proposed order. Any

terms and conditions agreed to by the parties shall be subject to

the approval of the Commission.

(2)(A) If the parties agree as provided in paragraph (1) within

the time set by the Commission and the Commission approves such

agreement, the terms and conditions shall be included in the final

order. In the case of an order under section 210, if the parties fail

to agree within the time set by the Commission or if the Commis-

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As Amended Through P.L. 115-325, Enacted December 18, 2018

62Sec. 212 FEDERAL POWER ACT

sion does not approve any such agreement, the Commission shall

prescribe such terms and conditions and include such terms and

conditions in the final order.

(B) In the case of any order applied for under section 211, if

the parties fail to agree within the time set by the Commission, the

Commission shall prescribe such terms and conditions in the final

order.

(d) If the Commission does not issue any order applied for

under section 210 or 211, the Commission shall, by order, deny

such application and state the reasons for such denial.

(e) S

AVINGS

ROVISIONS

.—(1) No provision of section 210, 211,

214, or this section shall be treated as requiring any person to uti-

lize the authority of any such section in lieu of any other authority

of law. Except as provided in section 210, 211, 214, or this section,

such sections shall not be construed as limiting or impairing any

authority of the Commission under any other provision of law.

(2) Sections 210, 211, 213, 214, and this section, shall not be

construed to modify, impair, or supersede the antitrust laws. For

purposes of this section, the term ‘‘antitrust laws’’ has the meaning

given in subsection (a) of the first sentence of the Clayton Act, ex-

cept that such term includes section 5 of the Federal Trade Com-

mission Act to the extent that such section relates to unfair meth-

ods of competition.

(f)(1) No order under section 210 or 211 requiring the Ten-

nessee Valley Authority (hereinafter in this subsection referred to

as the ‘‘TVA’’) to take any action shall take effect for 60 days fol-

lowing the date of issuance of the order. Within 60 days following

the issuance by the Commission of any order under section 210 or

of section 211 requiring the TVA to enter into any contract for the

sale or delivery of power, the Commission may on its own motion

initiate, or upon petition of any aggrieved person shall initiate, an

evidentiary hearing to determine whether or not such sale or deliv-

ery would result in violation of the third sentence of section 15d(a)

of the Tennessee Valley Authority Act of 1933 (16 U.S.C. 831n–4),

hereinafter in this subsection referred to as the TVA Act.

(2) Upon initiation of any evidentiary hearing under paragraph

(1), the Commission shall give notice thereof to any applicant who

applied for and obtained the order from the Commission, to any

electric utility or other entity subject to such order, and to the pub-

lic, and shall promptly make the determination referred to in para-

graph (1). Upon initiation of such hearing, the Commission shall

stay the effectiveness of the order under section 210 or 211 until

whichever of the following dates is applicable—

(A) the date on which there is a final determination (in-

cluding any judicial review thereof under paragraph (3)) that

no such violation would result from such order, or

(B) the date on which a specific authorization of the Con-

gress (within the meaning of the third sentence of section

15d(a) of the TVA Act) takes effect.

(3) Any determination under paragraph (1) shall be reviewable

only in the appropriate court of the United States upon petition

filed by any aggrieved person or municipality within 60 days after

such determination, and such court shall have jurisdiction to grant

appropriate relief. Any applicant who applied for and obtained the

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63 Sec. 212 FEDERAL POWER ACT

order under section 210 or 211, and any electric utility or other en-

tity subject to such order shall have the right to intervene in any

such proceeding in such court. Except for review by such court (and

any appeal or other review by an appellate court of the United

States), no court shall have jurisdiction to consider any action

brought by any person to enjoin the carrying out of any order of

the Commission under section 210 or section 211 requiring the

TVA to take any action on the grounds that such action requires

a specific authorization of the Congress pursuant to the third sen-

tence of section 15d(a) of the TVA Act.

(g) P

ROHIBITION ON

RDERS

NCONSISTENT WITH

ETAIL

KETING

REAS

.—No order may be issued under this Act which is

inconsistent with any State law which governs the retail marketing

areas of electric utilities.

(h) P

ROHIBITION ON

ANDATORY

ETAIL

HEELING AND

HAM

HOLESALE

RANSACTIONS

.—No order issued under this Act shall

be conditioned upon or require the transmission of electric energy:

(1) directly to an ultimate consumer, or

(2) to, or for the benefit of, an entity if such electric energy

would be sold by such entity directly to an ultimate consumer,

unless:

(A) such entity is a Federal power marketing agency;

the Tennessee Valley Authority; a State or any political

subdivision of a State (or an agency, authority, or instru-

mentality of a State or a political subdivision); a corpora-

tion or association that has ever received a loan for the

purposes of providing electric service from the Adminis-

trator of the Rural Electrification Administration under

the Rural Electrification Act of 1936; a person having an

obligation arising under State or local law (exclusive of an

obligation arising solely from a contract entered into by

such person) to provide electric service to the public; or

any corporation or association which is wholly owned, di-

rectly or indirectly, by any one or more of the foregoing;

and

(B) such entity was providing electric service to such

ultimate consumer on the date of enactment of this sub-

section or would utilize transmission or distribution facili-

ties that it owns or controls to deliver all such electric en-

ergy to such electric consumer.

Nothing in this subsection shall affect any authority of any State

or local government under State law concerning the transmission

of electric energy directly to an ultimate consumer.

(i) L

AWS

PPLICABLE TO

EDERAL

OLUMBIA

IVER

RANS

MISSION

YSTEM

.—(1) The Commission shall have authority pursu-

ant to section 210, section 211, this section, and section 213 to (A)

order the Administrator of the Bonneville Power Administration to

provide transmission service and (B) establish the terms and condi-

tions of such service. In applying such sections to the Federal Co-

lumbia River Transmission System, the Commission shall assure

that—

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As Amended Through P.L. 115-325, Enacted December 18, 2018

64Sec. 212 FEDERAL POWER ACT

(i) the provisions of otherwise applicable Federal laws

shall continue in full force and effect and shall continue to be

applicable to the system; and

(ii) the rates for the transmission of electric power on the

system shall be governed only by such otherwise applicable

provisions of law and not by any provision of section 210, sec-

tion 211, this section, or section 213, except that no rate for the

transmission of power on the system shall be unjust, unreason-

able, or unduly discriminatory or preferential, as determined

by the Commission.

(2) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act with re-

spect to the procedures for the determination of terms and condi-

tions for transmission service—

(A) when the Administrator of the Bonneville Power Ad-

ministration either (i) in response to a written request for spe-

cific transmission service terms and conditions does not offer

the requested terms and conditions, or (ii) proposes to establish

terms and conditions of general applicability for transmission

service on the Federal Columbia River Transmission System,

then the Administrator may provide opportunity for a hearing

and, in so doing, shall—

(I) give notice in the Federal Register and state in

such notice the written explanation of the reasons why the

specific terms and conditions for transmission services are

not being offered or are being proposed;

(II) adhere to the procedural requirements of para-

graphs (1) through (3) of section 7(i) of the Pacific North-

west Electric Power Planning and Conservation Act (16

U.S.C. 839(i) (1) through (3)), except that the hearing offi-

cer shall, unless the hearing officer becomes unavailable to

the agency, make a recommended decision to the Adminis-

trator that states the hearing officer’s findings and conclu-

sions, and the reasons or basis thereof, on all material

issues of fact, law, or discretion presented on the record;

and

(III) make a determination, setting forth the reasons

for reaching any findings and conclusions which may differ

from those of the hearing officer, based on the hearing

record, consideration of the hearing officer’s recommended

decision, section 211 and this section, as amended by the

Energy Policy Act of 1992, and the provisions of law as

preserved in this section; and

(B) if application is made to the Commission under section

211 for transmission service under terms and conditions dif-

ferent than those offered by the Administrator, or following the

denial of a request for transmission service by the Adminis-

trator, and such application is filed within 60 days of the Ad-

ministrator’s final determination and in accordance with Com-

mission procedures, the Commission shall—

(i) in the event the Administrator has conducted a

hearing as herein provided for (I) accord parties to the Ad-

ministrator’s hearing the opportunity to offer for the Com-

mission record materials excluded by the Administrator

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As Amended Through P.L. 115-325, Enacted December 18, 2018

65 Sec. 212 FEDERAL POWER ACT

from the hearing record, (II) accord such parties the oppor-

tunity to submit for the Commission record comments on

appropriate terms and conditions, (III) afford those parties

the opportunity for a hearing if and to the extent that the

Commission finds the Administrator’s hearing record to be

inadequate to support a decision by the Commission, and

(IV) establish terms and conditions for or deny trans-

mission service based on the Administrator’s hearing

record, the Commission record, section 211 and this sec-

tion, as amended by the Energy Policy Act of 1992, and the

provisions of law as preserved in this section, or

(ii) in the event the Administrator has not conducted

a hearing as herein provided for, determine whether to

issue an order for transmission service in accordance with

section 211 and this section, including providing the oppor-

tunity for a hearing.

(3) Notwithstanding those provisions of section 313(b) of this

Act (16 U.S.C. 825l) which designate the court in which review may

be obtained, any party to a proceeding concerning transmission

service sought to be furnished by the Administrator of the Bonne-

ville Power Administration seeking review of an order issued by

the Commission in such proceeding shall obtain a review of such

order in the United States Court of Appeals for the Pacific North-

west, as that region is defined by section 3(14) of the Pacific North-

west Electric Power Planning and Conservation Act (16 U.S.C.

839a(14)).

(4) To the extent the Administrator of the Bonneville Power

Administration cannot be required under section 211, as a result

of the Administrator’s other statutory mandates, either to (A) pro-

vide transmission service to an applicant which the Commission

would otherwise order, or (B) provide such service under rates,

terms, and conditions which the Commission would otherwise re-

quire, the applicant shall not be required to provide similar trans-

mission services to the Administrator or to provide such services

under similar rates, terms, and conditions.

(5) The Commission shall not issue any order under section

210, section 211, this section, or section 213 requiring the Adminis-

trator of the Bonneville Power Administration to provide trans-

mission service if such an order would impair the Administrator’s

ability to provide such transmission service to the Administrator’s

power and transmission customers in the Pacific Northwest, as

that region is defined in section 3(14) of the Pacific Northwest Elec-

tric Power Planning and Conservation Act (16 U.S.C. 839a(14)), as

is needed to assure adequate and reliable service to loads in that

region.

(j) E

QUITABILITY

ITHIN

ERRITORY

ESTRICTED

LECTRIC

TEMS

.—With respect to an electric utility which is prohibited by

Federal law from being a source of power supply, either directly or

through a distributor of its electric energy, outside an area set

forth in such law, no order issued under section 211 may require

such electric utility (or a distributor of such electric utility) to pro-

vide transmission services to another entity if the electric energy

to be transmitted will be consumed within the area set forth in

such Federal law, unless the order is in furtherance of a sale of

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As Amended Through P.L. 115-325, Enacted December 18, 2018

66Sec. 213 FEDERAL POWER ACT

electric energy to that electric utility: Provided, however, That the

foregoing provision shall not apply to any area served at retail by

an electric transmission system which was such a distributor on

the date of enactment of this subsection and which before October

1, 1991, gave its notice of termination under its power supply con-

tract with such electric utility.

(k) ERCOT U

TILITIES

.—

(1) R

ATES

.—Any order under section 211 requiring provi-

sion of transmission services in whole or in part within ERCOT

shall provide that any ERCOT utility which is not a public

utility and the transmission facilities of which are actually

used for such transmission service is entitled to receive com-

pensation based, insofar as practicable and consistent with

subsection (a), on the transmission ratemaking methodology

used by the Public Utility Commission of Texas.

(2) D

EFINITIONS

.—For purposes of this subsection—

(A) the term ‘‘ERCOT’’ means the Electric Reliability

Council of Texas; and

(B) the term ‘‘ERCOT utility’’ means a transmitting

utility which is a member of ERCOT.

ø16 U.S.C. 824k¿

SEC. 213. INFORMATION REQUIREMENTS.

(a) R

EQUESTS FOR

HOLESALE

RANSMISSION

ERVICES

.—

Whenever any electric utility, Federal power marketing agency, or

any other person generating electric energy for sale for resale

makes a good faith request to a transmitting utility to provide

wholesale transmission services and requests specific rates and

charges, and other terms and conditions, unless the transmitting

utility agrees to provide such services at rates, charges, terms and

conditions acceptable to such person, the transmitting utility shall,

within 60 days of its receipt of the request, or other mutually

agreed upon period, provide such person with a detailed written ex-

planation, with specific reference to the facts and circumstances of

the request, stating (1) the transmitting utility’s basis for the pro-

posed rates, charges, terms, and conditions for such services, and

(2) its analysis of any physical or other constraints affecting the

provision of such services.

(b) T

RANSMISSION

APACITY AND

ONSTRAINTS

.—Not later than

1 year after the enactment of this section, the Commission shall

promulgate a rule requiring that information be submitted annu-

ally to the Commission by transmitting utilities which is adequate

to inform potential transmission customers, State regulatory au-

thorities, and the public of potentially available transmission ca-

pacity and known constraints.

ø16 U.S.C. 824l¿

SEC. 214. SALES BY EXEMPT WHOLESALE GENERATORS.

No rate or charge received by an exempt wholesale generator

for the sale of electric energy shall be lawful under section 205 if,

after notice and opportunity for hearing, the Commission finds that

such rate or charge results from the receipt of any undue pref-

erence or advantage from an electric utility which is an associate

company or an affiliate of the exempt wholesale generator. For pur-

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67 Sec. 215FEDERAL POWER ACT

The reference to ‘‘section 2(a) of the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 2005’’ in section

214 probably should be a reference to ‘‘section 1262 of the Public Utility Holding Company Act

of 2005’’.

poses of this section, the terms ‘‘associate company’’ and ‘‘affiliate’’

shall have the same meaning as provided in section 2(a) of the

Public Utility Holding Company Act of 2005

ø16 U.S.C. 824m¿

SEC. 215. ELECTRIC RELIABILITY.

(a) D

EFINITIONS

.—For purposes of this section:

(1) The term ‘‘bulk-power system’’ means—

(A) facilities and control systems necessary for oper-

ating an interconnected electric energy transmission net-

work (or any portion thereof); and

(B) electric energy from generation facilities needed to

maintain transmission system reliability.

The term does not include facilities used in the local distribu-

tion of electric energy.

(2) The terms ‘‘Electric Reliability Organization’’ and

‘‘ERO’’ mean the organization certified by the Commission

under subsection (c) the purpose of which is to establish and

enforce reliability standards for the bulk-power system, subject

to Commission review.

(3) The term ‘‘reliability standard’’ means a requirement,

approved by the Commission under this section, to provide for

reliable operation of the bulk-power system. The term includes

requirements for the operation of existing bulk-power system

facilities, including cybersecurity protection, and the design of

planned additions or modifications to such facilities to the ex-

tent necessary to provide for reliable operation of the bulk-

power system, but the term does not include any requirement

to enlarge such facilities or to construct new transmission ca-

pacity or generation capacity.

(4) The term ‘‘reliable operation’’ means operating the ele-

ments of the bulk-power system within equipment and electric

system thermal, voltage, and stability limits so that instability,

uncontrolled separation, or cascading failures of such system

will not occur as a result of a sudden disturbance, including a

cybersecurity incident, or unanticipated failure of system ele-

ments.

(5) The term ‘‘Interconnection’’ means a geographic area in

which the operation of bulk-power system components is syn-

chronized such that the failure of one or more of such compo-

nents may adversely affect the ability of the operators of other

components within the system to maintain reliable operation of

the facilities within their control.

(6) The term ‘‘transmission organization’’ means a Re-

gional Transmission Organization, Independent System Oper-

ator, independent transmission provider, or other transmission

organization finally approved by the Commission for the oper-

ation of transmission facilities.

(7) The term ‘‘regional entity’’ means an entity having en-

forcement authority pursuant to subsection (e)(4).

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68Sec. 215 FEDERAL POWER ACT

(8) The term ‘‘cybersecurity incident’’ means a malicious

act or suspicious event that disrupts, or was an attempt to dis-

rupt, the operation of those programmable electronic devices

and communication networks including hardware, software

and data that are essential to the reliable operation of the bulk

power system.

(b) J

URISDICTION AND

PPLICABILITY

.—(1) The Commission

shall have jurisdiction, within the United States, over the ERO cer-

tified by the Commission under subsection (c), any regional enti-

ties, and all users, owners and operators of the bulk-power system,

including but not limited to the entities described in section 201(f),

for purposes of approving reliability standards established under

this section and enforcing compliance with this section. All users,

owners and operators of the bulk-power system shall comply with

reliability standards that take effect under this section.

(2) The Commission shall issue a final rule to implement the

requirements of this section not later than 180 days after the date

of enactment of this section.

ERTIFICATION

.—Following the issuance of a Commission

rule under subsection (b)(2), any person may submit an application

to the Commission for certification as the Electric Reliability Orga-

nization. The Commission may certify one such ERO if the Com-

mission determines that such ERO—

(1) has the ability to develop and enforce, subject to sub-

section (e)(2), reliability standards that provide for an adequate

level of reliability of the bulk-power system; and

(2) has established rules that—

(A) assure its independence of the users and owners

and operators of the bulk-power system, while assuring

fair stakeholder representation in the selection of its direc-

tors and balanced decisionmaking in any ERO committee

or subordinate organizational structure;

(B) allocate equitably reasonable dues, fees, and other

charges among end users for all activities under this sec-

tion;

ment of reliability standards through the imposition of

penalties in accordance with subsection (e) (including limi-

tations on activities, functions, or operations, or other ap-

propriate sanctions);

(D) provide for reasonable notice and opportunity for

public comment, due process, openness, and balance of in-

terests in developing reliability standards and otherwise

exercising its duties; and

(E) provide for taking, after certification, appropriate

steps to gain recognition in Canada and Mexico.

(d) R

ELIABILITY

TANDARDS

.—(1) The Electric Reliability Orga-

nization shall file each reliability standard or modification to a reli-

ability standard that it proposes to be made effective under this

section with the Commission.

(2) The Commission may approve, by rule or order, a proposed

reliability standard or modification to a reliability standard if it de-

termines that the standard is just, reasonable, not unduly discrimi-

natory or preferential, and in the public interest. The Commission

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69 Sec. 215FEDERAL POWER ACT

shall give due weight to the technical expertise of the Electric Reli-

ability Organization with respect to the content of a proposed

standard or modification to a reliability standard and to the tech-

nical expertise of a regional entity organized on an Interconnection-

wide basis with respect to a reliability standard to be applicable

within that Interconnection, but shall not defer with respect to the

effect of a standard on competition. A proposed standard or modi-

fication shall take effect upon approval by the Commission.

(3) The Electric Reliability Organization shall rebuttably pre-

sume that a proposal from a regional entity organized on an Inter-

connection-wide basis for a reliability standard or modification to

a reliability standard to be applicable on an Interconnection-wide

basis is just, reasonable, and not unduly discriminatory or pref-

erential, and in the public interest.

(4) The Commission shall remand to the Electric Reliability

Organization for further consideration a proposed reliability stand-

ard or a modification to a reliability standard that the Commission

disapproves in whole or in part.

(5) The Commission, upon its own motion or upon complaint,

may order the Electric Reliability Organization to submit to the

Commission a proposed reliability standard or a modification to a

reliability standard that addresses a specific matter if the Commis-

sion considers such a new or modified reliability standard appro-

priate to carry out this section.

(6) The final rule adopted under subsection (b)(2) shall include

fair processes for the identification and timely resolution of any

conflict between a reliability standard and any function, rule,

order, tariff, rate schedule, or agreement accepted, approved, or or-

dered by the Commission applicable to a transmission organization.

Such transmission organization shall continue to comply with such

function, rule, order, tariff, rate schedule or agreement accepted,

approved, or ordered by the Commission until—

(A) the Commission finds a conflict exists between a reli-

ability standard and any such provision;

(B) the Commission orders a change to such provision pur-

suant to section 206 of this part; and

If the Commission determines that a reliability standard needs to

be changed as a result of such a conflict, it shall order the ERO

to develop and file with the Commission a modified reliability

standard under paragraph (4) or (5) of this subsection.

(e) E

NFORCEMENT

.—(1) The ERO may impose, subject to para-

graph (2), a penalty on a user or owner or operator of the bulk-

power system for a violation of a reliability standard approved by

the Commission under subsection (d) if the ERO, after notice and

an opportunity for a hearing—

(A) finds that the user or owner or operator has violated

a reliability standard approved by the Commission under sub-

section (d); and

(B) files notice and the record of the proceeding with the

Commission.

(2) A penalty imposed under paragraph (1) may take effect not

earlier than the 31st day after the ERO files with the Commission

notice of the penalty and the record of proceedings. Such penalty

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As Amended Through P.L. 115-325, Enacted December 18, 2018

70Sec. 215 FEDERAL POWER ACT

shall be subject to review by the Commission, on its own motion

or upon application by the user, owner or operator that is the sub-

ject of the penalty filed within 30 days after the date such notice

is filed with the Commission. Application to the Commission for re-

view, or the initiation of review by the Commission on its own mo-

tion, shall not operate as a stay of such penalty unless the Com-

mission otherwise orders upon its own motion or upon application

by the user, owner or operator that is the subject of such penalty.

In any proceeding to review a penalty imposed under paragraph

(1), the Commission, after notice and opportunity for hearing

(which hearing may consist solely of the record before the ERO and

opportunity for the presentation of supporting reasons to affirm,

modify, or set aside the penalty), shall by order affirm, set aside,

reinstate, or modify the penalty, and, if appropriate, remand to the

ERO for further proceedings. The Commission shall implement ex-

pedited procedures for such hearings.

(3) On its own motion or upon complaint, the Commission may

order compliance with a reliability standard and may impose a

penalty against a user or owner or operator of the bulk-power sys-

tem if the Commission finds, after notice and opportunity for a

hearing, that the user or owner or operator of the bulk-power sys-

tem has engaged or is about to engage in any acts or practices that

constitute or will constitute a violation of a reliability standard.

(4) The Commission shall issue regulations authorizing the

ERO to enter into an agreement to delegate authority to a regional

entity for the purpose of proposing reliability standards to the ERO

and enforcing reliability standards under paragraph (1) if—

(A) the regional entity is governed by—

(i) an independent board;

(ii) a balanced stakeholder board; or

(iii) a combination independent and balanced stake-

holder board.

(B) the regional entity otherwise satisfies the provisions of

subsection (c)(1) and (2); and

tration of bulk-power system reliability.

The Commission may modify such delegation. The ERO and the

Commission shall rebuttably presume that a proposal for delega-

tion to a regional entity organized on an Interconnection-wide basis

promotes effective and efficient administration of bulk-power sys-

tem reliability and should be approved. Such regulation may pro-

vide that the Commission may assign the ERO’s authority to en-

force reliability standards under paragraph (1) directly to a re-

gional entity consistent with the requirements of this paragraph.

(5) The Commission may take such action as is necessary or

appropriate against the ERO or a regional entity to ensure compli-

ance with a reliability standard or any Commission order affecting

the ERO or a regional entity.

(6) Any penalty imposed under this section shall bear a reason-

able relation to the seriousness of the violation and shall take into

consideration the efforts of such user, owner, or operator to remedy

the violation in a timely manner.

(f) C

HANGES IN

LECTRIC

ELIABILITY

RGANIZATION

ULES

.—

The Electric Reliability Organization shall file with the Commis-

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As Amended Through P.L. 115-325, Enacted December 18, 2018

71 Sec. 215FEDERAL POWER ACT

sion for approval any proposed rule or proposed rule change, ac-

companied by an explanation of its basis and purpose. The Com-

mission, upon its own motion or complaint, may propose a change

to the rules of the ERO. A proposed rule or proposed rule change

shall take effect upon a finding by the Commission, after notice

and opportunity for comment, that the change is just, reasonable,

not unduly discriminatory or preferential, is in the public interest,

and satisfies the requirements of subsection (c).

(g) R

ELIABILITY

EPORTS

.—The ERO shall conduct periodic as-

sessments of the reliability and adequacy of the bulk-power system

in North America.

(h) C

OORDINATION

ITH

ANADA AND

EXICO

.—The President

is urged to negotiate international agreements with the govern-

ments of Canada and Mexico to provide for effective compliance

with reliability standards and the effectiveness of the ERO in the

United States and Canada or Mexico.

(i) S

AVINGS

ROVISIONS

.—(1) The ERO shall have authority to

develop and enforce compliance with reliability standards for only

the bulk-power system.

(2) This section does not authorize the ERO or the Commission

to order the construction of additional generation or transmission

capacity or to set and enforce compliance with standards for ade-

quacy or safety of electric facilities or services.

(3) Nothing in this section shall be construed to preempt any

authority of any State to take action to ensure the safety, ade-

quacy, and reliability of electric service within that State, as long

as such action is not inconsistent with any reliability standard, ex-

cept that the State of New York may establish rules that result in

greater reliability within that State, as long as such action does not

result in lesser reliability outside the State than that provided by

the reliability standards.

(4) Within 90 days of the application of the Electric Reliability

Organization or other affected party, and after notice and oppor-

tunity for comment, the Commission shall issue a final order deter-

mining whether a State action is inconsistent with a reliability

standard, taking into consideration any recommendation of the

ERO.

(5) The Commission, after consultation with the ERO and the

State taking action, may stay the effectiveness of any State action,

pending the Commission’s issuance of a final order.

(j) R

EGIONAL

DVISORY

ODIES

.—The Commission shall estab-

lish a regional advisory body on the petition of at least two-thirds

of the States within a region that have more than one-half of their

electric load served within the region. A regional advisory body

shall be composed of one member from each participating State in

the region, appointed by the Governor of each State, and may in-

clude representatives of agencies, States, and provinces outside the

United States. A regional advisory body may provide advice to the

Electric Reliability Organization, a regional entity, or the Commis-

sion regarding the governance of an existing or proposed regional

entity within the same region, whether a standard proposed to

apply within the region is just, reasonable, not unduly discrimina-

tory or preferential, and in the public interest, whether fees pro-

posed to be assessed within the region are just, reasonable, not un-

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As Amended Through P.L. 115-325, Enacted December 18, 2018

72Sec. 215A FEDERAL POWER ACT

duly discriminatory or preferential, and in the public interest and

any other responsibilities requested by the Commission. The Com-

mission may give deference to the advice of any such regional advi-

sory body if that body is organized on an Interconnection-wide

basis.

(k) A

LASKA AND

AWAII

.—The provisions of this section do not

apply to Alaska or Hawaii.

ø16 U.S.C. 824o¿

SEC. 215A. CRITICAL ELECTRIC INFRASTRUCTURE SECURITY.

(a) D

EFINITIONS

.—For purposes of this section:

(1) B

ULK

POWER SYSTEM

;

ELECTRIC RELIABILITY ORGANIZA

TION

;

REGIONAL ENTITY

.—The terms ‘‘bulk-power system’’,

‘‘Electric Reliability Organization’’, and ‘‘regional entity’’ have

the meanings given such terms in paragraphs (1), (2), and (7)

of section 215(a), respectively.

(2) C

RITICAL ELECTRIC INFRASTRUCTURE

.—The term ‘‘crit-

ical electric infrastructure’’ means a system or asset of the

bulk-power system, whether physical or virtual, the incapacity

or destruction of which would negatively affect national secu-

rity, economic security, public health or safety, or any combina-

tion of such matters.

(3) C

RITICAL ELECTRIC INFRASTRUCTURE INFORMATION

.—

The term ‘‘critical electric infrastructure information’’ means

information related to critical electric infrastructure, or pro-

posed critical electrical infrastructure, generated by or pro-

vided to the Commission or other Federal agency, other than

classified national security information, that is designated as

critical electric infrastructure information by the Commission

or the Secretary pursuant to subsection (d). Such term includes

information that qualifies as critical energy infrastructure in-

formation under the Commission’s regulations.

(4) D

EFENSE CRITICAL ELECTRIC INFRASTRUCTURE

.—The

term ‘‘defense critical electric infrastructure’’ means any elec-

tric infrastructure located in any of the 48 contiguous States

or the District of Columbia that serves a facility designated by

the Secretary pursuant to subsection (c), but is not owned or

operated by the owner or operator of such facility.

(5) E

LECTROMAGNETIC PULSE

.—The term ‘‘electromagnetic

pulse’’ means 1 or more pulses of electromagnetic energy emit-

ted by a device capable of disabling or disrupting operation of,

or destroying, electronic devices or communications networks,

including hardware, software, and data, by means of such a

pulse.

(6) G

EOMAGNETIC STORM

.—The term ‘‘geomagnetic storm’’

means a temporary disturbance of the Earth’s magnetic field

resulting from solar activity.

(7) G

RID SECURITY EMERGENCY

.—The term ‘‘grid security

emergency’’ means the occurrence or imminent danger of—

(A)(i) a malicious act using electronic communication

or an electromagnetic pulse, or a geomagnetic storm event,

that could disrupt the operation of those electronic devices

or communications networks, including hardware, soft-

ware, and data, that are essential to the reliability of crit-

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As Amended Through P.L. 115-325, Enacted December 18, 2018

73 Sec. 215AFEDERAL POWER ACT

ical electric infrastructure or of defense critical electric in-

frastructure; and

(ii) disruption of the operation of such devices or net-

works, with significant adverse effects on the reliability of

critical electric infrastructure or of defense critical electric

infrastructure, as a result of such act or event; or

(B)(i) a direct physical attack on critical electric infra-

structure or on defense critical electric infrastructure; and

(ii) significant adverse effects on the reliability of crit-

ical electric infrastructure or of defense critical electric in-

frastructure as a result of such physical attack.

(8) S

ECRETARY

.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means the Sec-

retary of Energy.

(b) A

UTHORITY TO

DDRESS

RID

ECURITY

MERGENCY

.—

(1) A

UTHORITY

.—Whenever the President issues and pro-

vides to the Secretary a written directive or determination

identifying a grid security emergency, the Secretary may, with

or without notice, hearing, or report, issue such orders for

emergency measures as are necessary in the judgment of the

Secretary to protect or restore the reliability of critical electric

infrastructure or of defense critical electric infrastructure dur-

ing such emergency. As soon as practicable but not later than

180 days after the date of enactment of this section, the Sec-

retary shall, after notice and opportunity for comment, estab-

lish rules of procedure that ensure that such authority can be

exercised expeditiously.

(2) N

OTIFICATION OF CONGRESS

.—Whenever the President

issues and provides to the Secretary a written directive or de-

termination under paragraph (1), the President shall promptly

notify congressional committees of relevant jurisdiction, includ-

ing the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of

Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural

Resources of the Senate, of the contents of, and justification

for, such directive or determination.

(3) C

ONSULTATION

.—Before issuing an order for emergency

measures under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall, to the ex-

tent practicable in light of the nature of the grid security emer-

gency and the urgency of the need for action, consult with ap-

propriate governmental authorities in Canada and Mexico, en-

tities described in paragraph (4), the Electricity Sub-sector Co-

ordinating Council, the Commission, and other appropriate

Federal agencies regarding implementation of such emergency

measures.

(4) A

PPLICATION

.—An order for emergency measures under

this subsection may apply to—

(A) the Electric Reliability Organization;

(B) a regional entity; or

frastructure or of defense critical electric infrastructure

within the United States.

(5) E

XPIRATION AND REISSUANCE

.—

(A) I

N GENERAL

.—Except as provided in subparagraph

(B), an order for emergency measures issued under para-

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74Sec. 215A FEDERAL POWER ACT

graph (1) shall expire no later than 15 days after its

issuance.

(B) E

XTENSIONS

.—The Secretary may reissue an order

for emergency measures issued under paragraph (1) for

subsequent periods, not to exceed 15 days for each such

period, provided that the President, for each such period,

issues and provides to the Secretary a written directive or

determination that the grid security emergency identified

under paragraph (1) continues to exist or that the emer-

gency measure continues to be required.

(6) C

OST RECOVERY

.—

(A) C

RITICAL ELECTRIC INFRASTRUCTURE

.—If the Com-

mission determines that owners, operators, or users of crit-

ical electric infrastructure have incurred substantial costs

to comply with an order for emergency measures issued

under this subsection and that such costs were prudently

incurred and cannot reasonably be recovered through regu-

lated rates or market prices for the electric energy or serv-

ices sold by such owners, operators, or users, the Commis-

sion shall, consistent with the requirements of section 205,

after notice and an opportunity for comment, establish a

mechanism that permits such owners, operators, or users

to recover such costs.

(B) D

EFENSE CRITICAL ELECTRIC INFRASTRUCTURE

.—To

the extent the owner or operator of defense critical electric

infrastructure is required to take emergency measures

pursuant to an order issued under this subsection, the

owners or operators of a critical defense facility or facilities

designated by the Secretary pursuant to subsection (c) that

rely upon such infrastructure shall bear the full incre-

mental costs of the measures.

(7) T

EMPORARY ACCESS TO CLASSIFIED INFORMATION

.—The

Secretary, and other appropriate Federal agencies, shall, to the

extent practicable and consistent with their obligations to pro-

tect classified information, provide temporary access to classi-

fied information related to a grid security emergency for which

emergency measures are issued under paragraph (1) to key

personnel of any entity subject to such emergency measures to

enable optimum communication between the entity and the

Secretary and other appropriate Federal agencies regarding

the grid security emergency.

ESIGNATION OF

RITICAL

EFENSE

ACILITIES

.—Not later

than 180 days after the date of enactment of this section, the Sec-

retary, in consultation with other appropriate Federal agencies and

appropriate owners, users, or operators of infrastructure that may

be defense critical electric infrastructure, shall identify and des-

ignate facilities located in the 48 contiguous States and the District

of Columbia that are—

(1) critical to the defense of the United States; and

(2) vulnerable to a disruption of the supply of electric en-

ergy provided to such facility by an external provider.

The Secretary may, in consultation with appropriate Federal agen-

cies and appropriate owners, users, or operators of defense critical

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As Amended Through P.L. 115-325, Enacted December 18, 2018

75 Sec. 215AFEDERAL POWER ACT

electric infrastructure, periodically revise the list of designated fa-

cilities as necessary.

(d) P

ROTECTION AND

HARING OF

RITICAL

LECTRIC

NFRA

STRUCTURE

NFORMATION

.—

(1) P

ROTECTION OF CRITICAL ELECTRIC INFRASTRUCTURE IN

FORMATION

.—Critical electric infrastructure information—

(A) shall be exempt from disclosure under section

552(b)(3) of title 5, United States Code; and

(B) shall not be made available by any Federal, State,

political subdivision or tribal authority pursuant to any

Federal, State, political subdivision or tribal law requiring

public disclosure of information or records.

(2) D

ESIGNATION AND SHARING OF CRITICAL ELECTRIC IN

FRASTRUCTURE INFORMATION

.—Not later than one year after

the date of enactment of this section, the Commission, after

consultation with the Secretary, shall promulgate such regula-

tions as necessary to—

(A) establish criteria and procedures to designate in-

formation as critical electric infrastructure information;

(B) prohibit the unauthorized disclosure of critical

electric infrastructure information;

Commissioners, officers, employees, or agents of the Com-

mission or the Department of Energy who knowingly and

willfully disclose critical electric infrastructure information

in a manner that is not authorized under this section; and

(D) taking into account standards of the Electric Reli-

ability Organization, facilitate voluntary sharing of critical

electric infrastructure information with, between, and by—

(i) Federal, State, political subdivision, and tribal

authorities;

(ii) the Electric Reliability Organization;

(iii) regional entities;

(iv) information sharing and analysis centers es-

tablished pursuant to Presidential Decision Directive

63;

(v) owners, operators, and users of critical electric

infrastructure in the United States; and

(vi) other entities determined appropriate by the

Commission.

(3) A

UTHORITY TO DESIGNATE

.—Information may be des-

ignated by the Commission or the Secretary as critical electric

infrastructure information pursuant to the criteria and proce-

dures established by the Commission under paragraph (2)(A).

(4) C

ONSIDERATIONS

.—In exercising their respective au-

thorities under this subsection, the Commission and the Sec-

retary shall take into consideration the role of State commis-

sions in reviewing the prudence and cost of investments, deter-

mining the rates and terms of conditions for electric services,

and ensuring the safety and reliability of the bulk-power sys-

tem and distribution facilities within their respective jurisdic-

tions.

(5) P

ROTOCOLS

.—The Commission and the Secretary shall,

in consultation with Canadian and Mexican authorities, de-

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76Sec. 215A FEDERAL POWER ACT

velop protocols for the voluntary sharing of critical electric in-

frastructure information with Canadian and Mexican authori-

ties and owners, operators, and users of the bulk-power system

outside the United States.

(6) N

O REQUIRED SHARING OF INFORMATION

.—Nothing in

this section shall require a person or entity in possession of

critical electric infrastructure information to share such infor-

mation with Federal, State, political subdivision, or tribal au-

thorities, or any other person or entity.

(7) S

UBMISSION OF INFORMATION TO CONGRESS

.—Nothing

in this section shall permit or authorize the withholding of in-

formation from Congress, any committee or subcommittee

thereof, or the Comptroller General.

(8) D

ISCLOSURE OF NONPROTECTED INFORMATION

.—In im-

plementing this section, the Commission and the Secretary

shall segregate critical electric infrastructure information or in-

formation that reasonably could be expected to lead to the dis-

closure of the critical electric infrastructure information within

documents and electronic communications, wherever feasible,

to facilitate disclosure of information that is not designated as

critical electric infrastructure information.

(9) D

URATION OF DESIGNATION

.—Information may not be

designated as critical electric infrastructure information for

longer than 5 years, unless specifically re-designated by the

Commission or the Secretary, as appropriate.

(10) R

EMOVAL OF DESIGNATION

.—The Commission or the

Secretary, as appropriate, shall remove the designation of crit-

ical electric infrastructure information, in whole or in part,

from a document or electronic communication if the Commis-

sion or the Secretary, as appropriate, determines that the un-

authorized disclosure of such information could no longer be

used to impair the security or reliability of the bulk-power sys-

tem or distribution facilities.

(11) J

UDICIAL REVIEW OF DESIGNATIONS

.—Notwithstanding

section 313(b), with respect to a petition filed by a person to

which an order under this section applies, any determination

by the Commission or the Secretary concerning the designation

of critical electric infrastructure information under this sub-

section shall be subject to review under chapter 7 of title 5,

United States Code, except that such review shall be brought

in the district court of the United States in the district in

which the complainant resides, or has his principal place of

business, or in the District of Columbia. In such a case the

court shall examine in camera the contents of documents or

electronic communications that are the subject of the deter-

mination under review to determine whether such documents

or any part thereof were improperly designated or not des-

ignated as critical electric infrastructure information.

(e) S

ECURITY

LEARANCES

.—The Secretary shall facilitate and,

to the extent practicable, expedite the acquisition of adequate secu-

rity clearances by key personnel of any entity subject to the re-

quirements of this section, to enable optimum communication with

Federal agencies regarding threats to the security of the critical

electric infrastructure. The Secretary, the Commission, and other

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77 Sec. 216FEDERAL POWER ACT

appropriate Federal agencies shall, to the extent practicable and

consistent with their obligations to protect classified and critical

electric infrastructure information, share timely actionable infor-

mation regarding grid security with appropriate key personnel of

owners, operators, and users of the critical electric infrastructure.

(f) C

LARIFICATIONS OF

IABILITY

.—

(1) C

OMPLIANCE WITH OR VIOLATION OF THIS ACT

.—Except

as provided in paragraph (4), to the extent any action or omis-

sion taken by an entity that is necessary to comply with an

order for emergency measures issued under subsection (b)(1),

including any action or omission taken to voluntarily comply

with such order, results in noncompliance with, or causes such

entity not to comply with any rule, order, regulation, or provi-

sion of this Act, including any reliability standard approved by

the Commission pursuant to section 215, such action or omis-

sion shall not be considered a violation of such rule, order, reg-

ulation, or provision.

(2) R

ELATION TO SECTION 202(C)

.—Except as provided in

paragraph (4), an action or omission taken by an owner, oper-

ator, or user of critical electric infrastructure or of defense crit-

ical electric infrastructure to comply with an order for emer-

gency measures issued under subsection (b)(1) shall be treated

as an action or omission taken to comply with an order issued

under section 202(c) for purposes of such section.

(3) S

HARING OR RECEIPT OF INFORMATION

.—No cause of ac-

tion shall lie or be maintained in any Federal or State court

for the sharing or receipt of information under, and that is con-

ducted in accordance with, subsection (d).

(4) R

ULE OF CONSTRUCTION

.—Nothing in this subsection

shall be construed to require dismissal of a cause of action

against an entity that, in the course of complying with an

order for emergency measures issued under subsection (b)(1)

by taking an action or omission for which they would be liable

but for paragraph (1) or (2), takes such action or omission in

a grossly negligent manner.

ø16 U.S.C. 824o–1¿

SEC. 216. SITING OF INTERSTATE ELECTRIC TRANSMISSION FACILI-

TIES.

(a) D

ESIGNATION OF

ATIONAL

NTEREST

LECTRIC

RANS

MISSION

ORRIDORS

.—(1) Not later than 1 year after the date of en-

actment of this section and every 3 years thereafter, the Secretary

of Energy (referred to in this section as the ‘‘Secretary’’), in con-

sultation with affected States, shall conduct a study of electric

transmission congestion.

(2) After considering alternatives and recommendations from

interested parties (including an opportunity for comment from af-

fected States), the Secretary shall issue a report, based on the

study, which may designate any geographic area experiencing elec-

tric energy transmission capacity constraints or congestion that ad-

versely affects consumers as a national interest electric trans-

mission corridor.

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78Sec. 216 FEDERAL POWER ACT

(3) The Secretary shall conduct the study and issue the report

in consultation with any appropriate regional entity referred to in

section 215.

(4) In determining whether to designate a national interest

electric transmission corridor under paragraph (2), the Secretary

may consider whether—

(A) the economic vitality and development of the corridor,

or the end markets served by the corridor, may be constrained

by lack of adequate or reasonably priced electricity;

(B)(i) economic growth in the corridor, or the end markets

served by the corridor, may be jeopardized by reliance on lim-

ited sources of energy; and

(ii) a diversification of supply is warranted;

served by the designation;

(D) the designation would be in the interest of national en-

ergy policy; and

(E) the designation would enhance national defense and

homeland security.

(b) C

ONSTRUCTION

ERMIT

.—Except as provided in subsection

(i), the Commission may, after notice and an opportunity for hear-

ing, issue one or more permits for the construction or modification

of electric transmission facilities in a national interest electric

transmission corridor designated by the Secretary under subsection

(a) if the Commission finds that—

(1)(A) a State in which the transmission facilities are to be

constructed or modified does not have authority to—

(i) approve the siting of the facilities; or

(ii) consider the interstate benefits expected to be

achieved by the proposed construction or modification of

transmission facilities in the State;

(B) the applicant for a permit is a transmitting utility

under this Act but does not qualify to apply for a permit or

siting approval for the proposed project in a State because the

applicant does not serve end-use customers in the State; or

to approve the siting of the facilities has—

(i) withheld approval for more than 1 year after the

filing of an application seeking approval pursuant to appli-

cable law or 1 year after the designation of the relevant

national interest electric transmission corridor, whichever

is later; or

(ii) conditioned its approval in such a manner that the

proposed construction or modification will not significantly

reduce transmission congestion in interstate commerce or

is not economically feasible;

(2) the facilities to be authorized by the permit will be

used for the transmission of electric energy in interstate com-

merce;

(3) the proposed construction or modification is consistent

with the public interest;

(4) the proposed construction or modification will signifi-

cantly reduce transmission congestion in interstate commerce

and protects or benefits consumers;

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79 Sec. 216FEDERAL POWER ACT

(5) the proposed construction or modification is consistent

with sound national energy policy and will enhance energy

independence; and

(6) the proposed modification will maximize, to the extent

reasonable and economical, the transmission capabilities of ex-

isting towers or structures.

ERMIT

PPLICATIONS

.—(1) Permit applications under sub-

section (b) shall be made in writing to the Commission.

(2) The Commission shall issue rules specifying—

(A) the form of the application;

(B) the information to be contained in the application; and

tion on interested persons.

(d) C

OMMENTS

.—In any proceeding before the Commission

under subsection (b), the Commission shall afford each State in

which a transmission facility covered by the permit is or will be lo-

cated, each affected Federal agency and Indian tribe, private prop-

erty owners, and other interested persons, a reasonable opportunity

to present their views and recommendations with respect to the

need for and impact of a facility covered by the permit.

(e) R

IGHTS

-W

.—(1) In the case of a permit under sub-

section (b) for electric transmission facilities to be located on prop-

erty other than property owned by the United States or a State,

if the permit holder cannot acquire by contract, or is unable to

agree with the owner of the property to the compensation to be

paid for, the necessary right-of-way to construct or modify the

transmission facilities, the permit holder may acquire the right-of-

way by the exercise of the right of eminent domain in the district

court of the United States for the district in which the property

concerned is located, or in the appropriate court of the State in

which the property is located.

(2) Any right-of-way acquired under paragraph (1) shall be

used exclusively for the construction or modification of electric

transmission facilities within a reasonable period of time after the

acquisition.

(3) The practice and procedure in any action or proceeding

under this subsection in the district court of the United States

shall conform as nearly as practicable to the practice and procedure

in a similar action or proceeding in the courts of the State in which

the property is located.

(4) Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to authorize

the use of eminent domain to acquire a right-of-way for any pur-

pose other than the construction, modification, operation, or main-

tenance of electric transmission facilities and related facilities. The

right-of-way cannot be used for any other purpose, and the right-

of-way shall terminate upon the termination of the use for which

the right-of-way was acquired.

(f) C

OMPENSATION

.—(1) Any right-of-way acquired pursuant to

subsection (e) shall be considered a taking of private property for

which just compensation is due.

(2) Just compensation shall be an amount equal to the fair

market value (including applicable severance damages) of the prop-

erty taken on the date of the exercise of eminent domain authority.

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80Sec. 216 FEDERAL POWER ACT

(g) S

TATE

.—Nothing in this section precludes any person

from constructing or modifying any transmission facility in accord-

ance with State law.

(h) C

OORDINATION OF

EDERAL

UTHORIZATIONS FOR

RANS

MISSION

ACILITIES

.—(1) In this subsection:

(A) The term ‘‘Federal authorization’’ means any author-

ization required under Federal law in order to site a trans-

mission facility.

(B) The term ‘‘Federal authorization’’ includes such per-

mits, special use authorizations, certifications, opinions, or

other approvals as may be required under Federal law in order

to site a transmission facility.

(2) The Department of Energy shall act as the lead agency for

purposes of coordinating all applicable Federal authorizations and

related environmental reviews of the facility.

(3) To the maximum extent practicable under applicable Fed-

eral law, the Secretary shall coordinate the Federal authorization

and review process under this subsection with any Indian tribes,

multistate entities, and State agencies that are responsible for con-

ducting any separate permitting and environmental reviews of the

facility, to ensure timely and efficient review and permit decisions.

(4)(A) As head of the lead agency, the Secretary, in consulta-

tion with agencies responsible for Federal authorizations and, as

appropriate, with Indian tribes, multistate entities, and State agen-

cies that are willing to coordinate their own separate permitting

and environmental reviews with the Federal authorization and en-

vironmental reviews, shall establish prompt and binding inter-

mediate milestones and ultimate deadlines for the review of, and

Federal authorization decisions relating to, the proposed facility.

(B) The Secretary shall ensure that, once an application has

been submitted with such data as the Secretary considers nec-

essary, all permit decisions and related environmental reviews

under all applicable Federal laws shall be completed—

(i) within 1 year; or

(ii) if a requirement of another provision of Federal law

does not permit compliance with clause (i), as soon thereafter

as is practicable.

mechanism for prospective applicants to confer with the agencies

involved to have each such agency determine and communicate to

the prospective applicant not later than 60 days after the prospec-

tive applicant submits a request for such information concerning—

(i) the likelihood of approval for a potential facility; and

(ii) key issues of concern to the agencies and public.

(5)(A) As lead agency head, the Secretary, in consultation with

the affected agencies, shall prepare a single environmental review

document, which shall be used as the basis for all decisions on the

proposed project under Federal law.

(B) The Secretary and the heads of other agencies shall

streamline the review and permitting of transmission within cor-

ridors designated under section 503 of the Federal Land Policy and

Management Act (43 U.S.C. 1763) by fully taking into account prior

analyses and decisions relating to the corridors.

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81 Sec. 216FEDERAL POWER ACT

agencies of any applicable criteria or other matters as required

under applicable law.

(6)(A) If any agency has denied a Federal authorization re-

quired for a transmission facility, or has failed to act by the dead-

line established by the Secretary pursuant to this section for decid-

ing whether to issue the authorization, the applicant or any State

in which the facility would be located may file an appeal with the

President, who shall, in consultation with the affected agency, re-

view the denial or failure to take action on the pending application.

(B) Based on the overall record and in consultation with the af-

fected agency, the President may—

(i) issue the necessary authorization with any appropriate

conditions; or

(ii) deny the application.

after the date of the filing of the appeal.

(D) In making a decision under this paragraph, the President

shall comply with applicable requirements of Federal law, includ-

ing any requirements of—

(i) the National Forest Management Act of 1976 (16 U.S.C.

472a et seq.);

(ii) the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et

seq.);

(iii) the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C.

1251 et seq.);

(iv) the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42

U.S.C. 4321 et seq.); and

(v) the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976

(43 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.).

(7)(A) Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of

this section, the Secretary shall issue any regulations necessary to

implement this subsection.

(B)(i) Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this

section, the Secretary and the heads of all Federal agencies with

authority to issue Federal authorizations shall enter into a memo-

randum of understanding to ensure the timely and coordinated re-

view and permitting of electricity transmission facilities.

(ii) Interested Indian tribes, multistate entities, and State

agencies may enter the memorandum of understanding.

Federal authorization shall designate a senior official responsible

for, and dedicate sufficient other staff and resources to ensure, full

implementation of the regulations and memorandum required

under this paragraph.

(8)(A) Each Federal land use authorization for an electricity

transmission facility shall be issued—

(i) for a duration, as determined by the Secretary, com-

mensurate with the anticipated use of the facility; and

(ii) with appropriate authority to manage the right-of-way

for reliability and environmental protection.

(B) On the expiration of the authorization (including an au-

thorization issued before the date of enactment of this section), the

authorization shall be reviewed for renewal taking fully into ac-

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As Amended Through P.L. 115-325, Enacted December 18, 2018

82Sec. 217 FEDERAL POWER ACT

count reliance on such electricity infrastructure, recognizing the

importance of the authorization for public health, safety, and eco-

nomic welfare and as a legitimate use of Federal land.

(9) In exercising the responsibilities under this section, the

Secretary shall consult regularly with—

(A) the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission;

(B) electric reliability organizations (including related re-

gional entities) approved by the Commission; and

sion.

(i) I

NTERSTATE

OMPACTS

.—(1) The consent of Congress is

given for three or more contiguous States to enter into an inter-

state compact, subject to approval by Congress, establishing re-

gional transmission siting agencies to—

(A) facilitate siting of future electric energy transmission

facilities within those States; and

(B) carry out the electric energy transmission siting re-

sponsibilities of those States.

(2) The Secretary may provide technical assistance to regional

transmission siting agencies established under this subsection.

(3) The regional transmission siting agencies shall have the au-

thority to review, certify, and permit siting of transmission facili-

ties, including facilities in national interest electric transmission

corridors (other than facilities on property owned by the United

States).

(4) The Commission shall have no authority to issue a permit

for the construction or modification of an electric transmission fa-

cility within a State that is a party to a compact, unless the mem-

bers of the compact are in disagreement and the Secretary makes,

after notice and an opportunity for a hearing, the finding described

in subsection (b)(1)(C).

(j) R

ELATIONSHIP TO

THER

AWS

.—(1) Except as specifically

provided, nothing in this section affects any requirement of an en-

vironmental law of the United States, including the National Envi-

ronmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.).

(2) Subsection (h)(6) shall not apply to any unit of the National

Park System, the National Wildlife Refuge System, the National

Wild and Scenic Rivers System, the National Trails System, the

National Wilderness Preservation System, or a National Monu-

ment.

(k) ERCOT.—This section shall not apply within the area re-

ferred to in section 212(k)(2)(A).

ø16 U.S.C. 824p¿

SEC. 217. NATIVE LOAD SERVICE OBLIGATION.

(a) D

EFINITIONS

.—In this section:

(1) The term ‘‘distribution utility’’ means an electric utility

that has a service obligation to end-users or to a State utility

or electric cooperative that, directly or indirectly, through one

or more additional State utilities or electric cooperatives, pro-

vides electric service to end-users.

(2) The term ‘‘load-serving entity’’ means a distribution

utility or an electric utility that has a service obligation.

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83 Sec. 217FEDERAL POWER ACT

(3) The term ‘‘service obligation’’ means a requirement ap-

plicable to, or the exercise of authority granted to, an electric

utility under Federal, State, or local law or under long-term

contracts to provide electric service to end-users or to a dis-

tribution utility.

(4) The term ‘‘State utility’’ means a State or any political

subdivision of a State, or any agency, authority, or instrumen-

tality of any one or more of the foregoing, or a corporation that

is wholly owned, directly or indirectly, by any one or more of

the foregoing, competent to carry on the business of developing,

transmitting, utilizing, or distributing power.

(b) M

EETING

ERVICE

BLIGATIONS

.—(1) Paragraph (2) applies

to any load-serving entity that, as of the date of enactment of this

section—

(A) owns generation facilities, markets the output of Fed-

eral generation facilities, or holds rights under one or more

wholesale contracts to purchase electric energy, for the purpose

of meeting a service obligation; and

(B) by reason of ownership of transmission facilities, or one

or more contracts or service agreements for firm transmission

service, holds firm transmission rights for delivery of the out-

put of the generation facilities or the purchased energy to meet

the service obligation.

(2) Any load-serving entity described in paragraph (1) is enti-

tled to use the firm transmission rights, or, equivalent tradable or

financial transmission rights, in order to deliver the output or pur-

chased energy, or the output of other generating facilities or pur-

chased energy to the extent deliverable using the rights, to the ex-

tent required to meet the service obligation of the load-serving enti-

ty.

(3)(A) To the extent that all or a portion of the service obliga-

tion covered by the firm transmission rights or equivalent tradable

or financial transmission rights is transferred to another load-serv-

ing entity, the successor load-serving entity shall be entitled to use

the firm transmission rights or equivalent tradable or financial

transmission rights associated with the transferred service obliga-

tion.

(B) Subsequent transfers to another load-serving entity, or

back to the original load-serving entity, shall be entitled to the

same rights.

(4) The Commission shall exercise the authority of the Com-

mission under this Act in a manner that facilitates the planning

and expansion of transmission facilities to meet the reasonable

needs of load-serving entities to satisfy the service obligations of

the load-serving entities, and enables load-serving entities to se-

cure firm transmission rights (or equivalent tradable or financial

rights) on a long-term basis for long-term power supply arrange-

ments made, or planned, to meet such needs.

LLOCATION OF

RANSMISSION

IGHTS

.—Nothing in sub-

sections (b)(1), (b)(2), and (b)(3) of this section shall affect any ex-

isting or future methodology employed by a Transmission Organi-

zation for allocating or auctioning transmission rights if such

Transmission Organization was authorized by the Commission to

allocate or auction financial transmission rights on its system as of

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84Sec. 217 FEDERAL POWER ACT

January 1, 2005, and the Commission determines that any future

allocation or auction is just, reasonable and not unduly discrimina-

tory or preferential, provided, however, that if such a Transmission

Organization never allocated financial transmission rights on its

system that pertained to a period before January 1, 2005, with re-

spect to any application by such Transmission Organization that

would change its methodology the Commission shall exercise its

authority in a manner consistent with the Act and that takes into

account the policies expressed in subsections (b)(1), (b)(2), and

(b)(3) as applied to firm transmission rights held by a load-serving

entity as of January 1, 2005, to the extent the associated genera-

tion ownership or power purchase arrangements remain in effect.

(d) C

ERTAIN

RANSMISSION

IGHTS

.—The Commission may ex-

ercise authority under this Act to make transmission rights not

used to meet an obligation covered by subsection (b) available to

other entities in a manner determined by the Commission to be

just, reasonable, and not unduly discriminatory or preferential.

(e) O

BLIGATION TO

UILD

.—Nothing in this Act relieves a load-

serving entity from any obligation under State or local law to build

transmission or distribution facilities adequate to meet the service

obligations of the load-serving entity.

(f) C

ONTRACTS

.—Nothing in this section shall provide a basis

for abrogating any contract or service agreement for firm trans-

mission service or rights in effect as of the date of the enactment

of this subsection. If an ISO in the Western Interconnection had al-

located financial transmission rights prior to the date of enactment

of this section but had not done so with respect to one or more

load-serving entities’ firm transmission rights held under contracts

to which the preceding sentence applies (or held by reason of own-

ership or future ownership of transmission facilities), such load-

serving entities may not be required, without their consent, to con-

vert such firm transmission rights to tradable or financial rights,

except where the load-serving entity has voluntarily joined the ISO

as a participating transmission owner (or its successor) in accord-

ance with the ISO tariff.

(g) W

ATER

UMPING

ACILITIES

.—The Commission shall ensure

that any entity described in section 201(f) that owns transmission

facilities used predominately to support its own water pumping fa-

cilities shall have, with respect to the facilities, protections for

transmission service comparable to those provided to load-serving

entities pursuant to this section.

(h) ERCOT.—This section shall not apply within the area re-

ferred to in section 212(k)(2)(A).

(i) J

URISDICTION

.—This section does not authorize the Commis-

sion to take any action not otherwise within the jurisdiction of the

Commission.

(j) TVA A

REA

.—(1) Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3), for pur-

poses of subsection (b)(1)(B), a load-serving entity that is located

within the service area of the Tennessee Valley Authority and that

has a firm wholesale power supply contract with the Tennessee

Valley Authority shall be considered to hold firm transmission

rights for the transmission of the power provided.

(2) Nothing in this subsection affects the requirements of sec-

tion 212(j).

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85 Sec. 219FEDERAL POWER ACT

(3) The Commission shall not issue an order on the basis of

this subsection that is contrary to the purposes of section 212(j).

(k) E

FFECT OF

XERCISING

IGHTS

.—An entity that to the ex-

tent required to meet its service obligations exercises rights de-

scribed in subsection (b) shall not be considered by such action as

engaging in undue discrimination or preference under this Act.

ø16 U.S.C. 824q¿

SEC. 218. PROTECTION OF TRANSMISSION CONTRACTS IN THE PA-

CIFIC NORTHWEST.

(a) D

EFINITION OF

LECTRIC

TILITY OR

ERSON

.—In this sec-

tion, the term ‘‘electric utility or person’’ means an electric utility

or person that—

(1) as of the date of enactment of the Energy Policy Act of

2005 holds firm transmission rights pursuant to contract or by

reason of ownership of transmission facilities; and

(2) is located—

(A) in the Pacific Northwest, as that region is defined

in section 3 of the Pacific Northwest Electric Power Plan-

ning and Conservation Act (16 U.S.C. 839a); or

(B) in that portion of a State included in the geo-

graphic area proposed for a regional transmission organi-

zation in Commission Docket Number RT01–35 on the

date on which that docket was opened.

(b) P

ROTECTION OF

RANSMISSION

ONTRACTS

.—Nothing in this

Act confers on the Commission the authority to require an electric

utility or person to convert to tradable or financial rights—

(1) firm transmission rights described in subsection (a); or

(2) firm transmission rights obtained by exercising con-

tract or tariff rights associated with the firm transmission

rights described in subsection (a).

ø16 U.S.C. 824r¿

SEC. 219. TRANSMISSION INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT.

(a) R

ULEMAKING

EQUIREMENT

.—Not later than 1 year after

the date of enactment of this section, the Commission shall estab-

lish, by rule, incentive-based (including performance-based) rate

treatments for the transmission of electric energy in interstate

commerce by public utilities for the purpose of benefitting con-

sumers by ensuring reliability and reducing the cost of delivered

power by reducing transmission congestion.

(b) C

ONTENTS

.—The rule shall—

(1) promote reliable and economically efficient trans-

mission and generation of electricity by promoting capital in-

vestment in the enlargement, improvement, maintenance, and

operation of all facilities for the transmission of electric energy

in interstate commerce, regardless of the ownership of the fa-

cilities;

(2) provide a return on equity that attracts new invest-

ment in transmission facilities (including related transmission

technologies);

(3) encourage deployment of transmission technologies and

other measures to increase the capacity and efficiency of exist-

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86Sec. 220 FEDERAL POWER ACT

ing transmission facilities and improve the operation of the fa-

cilities; and

(4) allow recovery of—

(A) all prudently incurred costs necessary to comply

with mandatory reliability standards issued pursuant to

section 215; and

(B) all prudently incurred costs related to trans-

mission infrastructure development pursuant to section

216.

NCENTIVES

.—In the rule issued under this section, the

Commission shall, to the extent within its jurisdiction, provide for

incentives to each transmitting utility or electric utility that joins

a Transmission Organization. The Commission shall ensure that

any costs recoverable pursuant to this subsection may be recovered

by such utility through the transmission rates charged by such

utility or through the transmission rates charged by the Trans-

mission Organization that provides transmission service to such

utility.

(d) J

UST AND

EASONABLE

ATES

.—All rates approved under

the rules adopted pursuant to this section, including any revisions

to the rules, are subject to the requirements of sections 205 and

206 that all rates, charges, terms, and conditions be just and rea-

sonable and not unduly discriminatory or preferential.

ø16 U.S.C. 824s¿

SEC. 220. ELECTRICITY MARKET TRANSPARENCY RULES.

(a)(1) The Commission is directed to facilitate price trans-

parency in markets for the sale and transmission of electric energy

in interstate commerce, having due regard for the public interest,

the integrity of those markets, fair competition, and the protection

of consumers.

(2) The Commission may prescribe such rules as the Commis-

sion determines necessary and appropriate to carry out the pur-

poses of this section. The rules shall provide for the dissemination,

on a timely basis, of information about the availability and prices

of wholesale electric energy and transmission service to the Com-

mission, State commissions, buyers and sellers of wholesale electric

energy, users of transmission services, and the public.

(3) The Commission may—

(A) obtain the information described in paragraph (2) from

any market participant; and

(B) rely on entities other than the Commission to receive

and make public the information, subject to the disclosure

rules in subsection (b).

(4) In carrying out this section, the Commission shall consider

the degree of price transparency provided by existing price pub-

lishers and providers of trade processing services, and shall rely on

such publishers and services to the maximum extent possible. The

Commission may establish an electronic information system if it

determines that existing price publications are not adequately pro-

viding price discovery or market transparency. Nothing in this sec-

tion, however, shall affect any electronic information filing require-

ments in effect under this Act as of the date of enactment of this

section.

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As Amended Through P.L. 115-325, Enacted December 18, 2018

87 Sec. 222FEDERAL POWER ACT

(b)(1) Rules described in subsection (a)(2), if adopted, shall ex-

empt from disclosure information the Commission determines

would, if disclosed, be detrimental to the operation of an effective

market or jeopardize system security.

(2) In determining the information to be made available under

this section and time to make the information available, the Com-

mission shall seek to ensure that consumers and competitive mar-

kets are protected from the adverse effects of potential collusion or

other anticompetitive behaviors that can be facilitated by untimely

public disclosure of transaction-specific information.

(c)(1) Within 180 days of enactment of this section, the Com-

mission shall conclude a memorandum of understanding with the

Commodity Futures Trading Commission relating to information

sharing, which shall include, among other things, provisions ensur-

ing that information requests to markets within the respective ju-

risdiction of each agency are properly coordinated to minimize du-

plicative information requests, and provisions regarding the treat-

ment of proprietary trading information.

(2) Nothing in this section may be construed to limit or affect

the exclusive jurisdiction of the Commodity Futures Trading Com-

mission under the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. 1 et seq.).

(d) The Commission shall not require entities who have a de

minimis market presence to comply with the reporting require-

ments of this section.

(e)(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), no person shall be

subject to any civil penalty under this section with respect to any

violation occurring more than 3 years before the date on which the

person is provided notice of the proposed penalty under section

316A.

(2) Paragraph (1) shall not apply in any case in which the

Commission finds that a seller that has entered into a contract for

the sale of electric energy at wholesale or transmission service sub-

ject to the jurisdiction of the Commission has engaged in fraudu-

lent market manipulation activities materially affecting the con-

tract in violation of section 222.

(f) This section shall not apply to a transaction for the pur-

chase or sale of wholesale electric energy or transmission services

within the area described in section 212(k)(2)(A).

ø16 U.S.C. 824t¿

SEC. 221. PROHIBITION ON FILING FALSE INFORMATION.

No entity (including an entity described in section 201(f)) shall

willfully and knowingly report any information relating to the price

of electricity sold at wholesale or the availability of transmission

capacity, which information the person or any other entity knew to

be false at the time of the reporting, to a Federal agency with in-

tent to fraudulently affect the data being compiled by the Federal

agency.

ø16 U.S.C. 824u¿

SEC. 222. PROHIBITION OF ENERGY MARKET MANIPULATION.

(a) I

ENERAL

.—It shall be unlawful for any entity (including

an entity described in section 201(f)), directly or indirectly, to use

or employ, in connection with the purchase or sale of electric en-

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As Amended Through P.L. 115-325, Enacted December 18, 2018

88Sec. 223 FEDERAL POWER ACT

ergy or the purchase or sale of transmission services subject to the

jurisdiction of the Commission, any manipulative or deceptive de-

vice or contrivance (as those terms are used in section 10(b) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78j(b))), in contraven-

tion of such rules and regulations as the Commission may prescribe

as necessary or appropriate in the public interest or for the protec-

tion of electric ratepayers.

(b) N

RIVATE

IGHT OF

CTION

.—Nothing in this section

shall be construed to create a private right of action.

ø16 U.S.C. 824v¿

SEC. 223. JOINT BOARDS ON ECONOMIC DISPATCH.

(a) I

ENERAL

.—The Commission shall convene joint boards

on a regional basis pursuant to section 209 of this Act to study the

issue of security constrained economic dispatch for the various

market regions. The Commission shall designate the appropriate

regions to be covered by each such joint board for purposes of this

section.

(b) M

EMBERSHIP

.—The Commission shall request each State to

nominate a representative for the appropriate regional joint board,

and shall designate a member of the Commission to chair and par-

ticipate as a member of each such board.

OWERS

.—The sole authority of each joint board convened

under this section shall be to consider issues relevant to what con-

stitutes ‘‘security constrained economic dispatch’’ and how such a

mode of operating an electric energy system affects or enhances the

reliability and affordability of service to customers in the region

concerned and to make recommendations to the Commission re-

garding such issues.

(d) R

EPORT TO THE

ONGRESS

.—Within 1 year after enactment

of this section, the Commission shall issue a report and submit

such report to the Congress regarding the recommendations of the

joint boards under this section and the Commission may consoli-

date the recommendations of more than one such regional joint

board, including any consensus recommendations for statutory or

regulatory reform.

ø16 U.S.C. 824w¿

PART III—LICENSEES AND PUBLIC UTILITIES;

PROCEDURAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS

ACCOUNTS

RECORDS

AND MEMORANDA

. 301. (a) Every licensee and public utility shall make, keep

and preserve for such periods, such accounts, records of cost-ac-

counting procedures, correspondence memoranda, papers, books

and other records as the Commission may by rules and regulations

prescribe as necessary or appropriate for purposes of the adminis-

tration of this Act, including accounts, records, and memoranda of

the generation, transmission, distribution, delivery, or sale of elec-

tric energy, the furnishing of services or facilities in connection

therewith, and receipts and expenditures with respect to any of the

foregoing: Provided, however, That nothing in this Act shall relieve

any public utility from keeping any accounts, memoranda, or

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As Amended Through P.L. 115-325, Enacted December 18, 2018

89 Sec. 302 FEDERAL POWER ACT

records which such public utility may be required to keep by or

under authority of the laws of any State. The Commission may pre-

scribe a system of accounts to be kept by licensees and public utili-

ties and may classify such licensees and public utilities and pre-

scribe a system of accounts for each class. The Commission, after

notice and opportunity for hearing, may determine by order the ac-

counts in which particular outlays and receipts shall be entered,

charged, or credited. The burden of proof to justify every account-

ing entry questioned by the Commission shall be on the person

making, authorizing, or requiring such entry, and the Commission

may suspend a change or credit pending submission of satisfactory

proof in support thereof.

(b) The Commission shall at all times have access to and the

right to inspect and examine all accounts, records, and memoranda

of licensees and public utilities, and it shall be the duty of such li-

censees and public utilities to furnish to the Commission, within

such reasonable time as the Commission may order, any informa-

tion with respect thereto which the Commission may by order re-

quire, including copies of maps, contracts, reports of engineers, and

other data, records, and papers, and to grant to all agents of the

Commission free access to its property and its accounts, records,

and memorandum when requested so to do. No member, officer, or

employee of the Commission shall divulge any fact or information

which may come to his knowledge during the course of examination

of books or other accounts, as hereinbefore provided, except insofar

as he may be directed by the Commission or by a court.

who controls, directly or indirectly, a licensee or public utility sub-

ject to the jurisdiction of the Commission, and of any other com-

pany controlled by such person, insofar as they relate to trans-

actions with or the business of such licensee or public utility, shall

be subject to examination on the order of the Commission.

ø16 U.S.C. 825¿

RATES OF DEPRECIATION

. 302. (a) The Commission may, after hearing, require li-

censees and public utilities to carry a proper and adequate depre-

ciation account in accordance with such rules, regulations, and

forms of account as the Commission may prescribe. The Commis-

sion may, from time to time, ascertain and determine, and by order

fix, the proper and adequate rates of depreciation of the several

classes of property of each licensee and public utility. Each licensee

and public utility shall conform its depreciation accounts to the

rates so ascertained, determined, and fixed. The licensees and pub-

lic utilities subject to the jurisdiction of the Commission shall not

charge to operating expenses any depreciation charges on classes

of property other than those prescribed by the Commission, or

charge with respect to any class of property a percentage of depre-

ciation other than that prescribed therefor by the Commission. No

such licensee or public utility shall in any case include in any form

under its operating or other expenses any depreciation or other

charge or expenditure included elsewhere as a depreciation charge

or otherwise under its operating or other expenses. Nothing in this

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As Amended Through P.L. 115-325, Enacted December 18, 2018

90Sec. 303 FEDERAL POWER ACT

section shall limit the power of a State commission to determine in

the exercise of its jurisdiction, with respect to any public utility,

the percentage rate of depreciation to be allowed, as to any class

of property of such public utility, or the composite depreciation

rate, for the purpose of determining rates or charges.

(b) The Commission, before prescribing any rules or require-

ments as to accounts, records, or memoranda, or as to depreciation

rates, shall notify each State commission having jurisdiction with

respect to any public utility involved, and shall give reasonable op-

portunity to each such commission to present its views, and shall

receive and consider such views and recommendations.

ø16 U.S.C. 825a¿

REQUIREMENTS APPLICABLE TO AGENCIES OF THE UNITED STATES

. 303. All agencies of the United States engaged in the gen-

eration and sale of electric energy for ultimate distribution to the

public shall be subject, as to all facilities used for such generation

and sale, and as to the electric energy sold by such agency, to the

provisions of sections 301 and 302 hereof, so far as may be prac-

ticable, and shall comply with the provisions of such sections and

with the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder to the

same extent as may be required in the case of a public utility.

ø16 U.S.C. 825b¿

PERIODIC AND SPECIAL REPORTS

. 304. (a) Every licensee and every public utility shall file

with the Commission such annual and other periodic or special re-

ports as the Commission may by rules and regulations or order

prescribe as necessary or appropriate to assist the Commission in

the proper administration of this Act. The Commission may pre-

scribe the manner and form in which such reports shall be made,

and require from such persons specific answers to all questions

upon which the Commission may need information. The Commis-

sion may require that such reports shall include, among other

things, full information as to assets and liabilities, capitalization,

net investment, and reduction thereof, gross receipts, interest due

and paid, depreciation, and other reserves, cost of project and other

facilities, cost of maintenance and operation of the project and

other facilities, cost of renewals and replacement of the project

works and other facilities, depreciation, generation, transmission,

distribution delivery, use, and sale of electric energy. The Commis-

sion may require any such person to make adequate provision for

currently determining such costs and other facts. Such reports

shall be made under oath unless the Commission otherwise speci-

fies.

(b) It shall be unlawful for any person willfully to hinder,

delay, or obstruct the making, filing, or keeping of any information,

document, report, memorandum, record, or account required to be

made, filed, or kept under this Act or any rule, regulation, or order

thereunder.

ø16 U.S.C. 825c¿

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As Amended Through P.L. 115-325, Enacted December 18, 2018

91 Sec. 305 FEDERAL POWER ACT

OFFICIALS DEALING IN SECURITIES

;

INTERLOCKING DIRECTORATES

. 305. (a) It shall be unlawful for any officer or director of

any public utility to receive for his own benefit, directly or indi-

rectly, any money or thing of value in respect of the negotiation,

hypothecation, or sale by such public utility of any security issued

or to be issued by such public utility, or to share in any of the pro-

ceeds thereof, or to participate in the making or paying of any divi-

dends of such public utility from any funds properly included in

capital account.

(b) I

NTERLOCKING

IRECTORATES

.—

(1) I

N GENERAL

.—After 6 months from the date on which

this Part takes effect, it shall be unlawful for any person to

hold the position of officer or director of more than one public

utility or to hold the position of officer or director of a public

utility and the position of officer or director of any bank, trust

company, banking association, or firm that is authorized by

law to underwrite or participate in the marketing of securities

of a public utility, or officer or director of any company sup-

plying electrical equipment to such public utility, unless the

holding of such positions shall have been authorized by order

of the Commission, upon due showing in form and manner pre-

scribed by the Commission, that neither public nor private in-

terests will be adversely affected thereby. The Commission

shall not grant any such authorization in respect of such posi-

tions held on the date on which this Part takes effect, unless

application for such authorization is filed with the Commission

within sixty days after that date.

(2) A

PPLICABILITY

.—

(A) I

N GENERAL

.—In the circumstances described in

subparagraph (B), paragraph (1) shall not apply to a per-

son that holds or proposes to hold the positions of—

(i) officer or director of a public utility; and

(ii) officer or director of a bank, trust company,

banking association, or firm authorized by law to un-

derwrite or participate in the marketing of securities

of a public utility.

(B) C

IRCUMSTANCES

.—The circumstances described in

this subparagraph are that—

(i) a person described in subparagraph (A) does

not participate in any deliberations or decisions of the

public utility regarding the selection of a bank, trust

company, banking association, or firm to underwrite or

participate in the marketing of securities of the public

utility, if the person serves as an officer or director of

a bank, trust company, banking association, or firm

that is under consideration in the deliberation process;

(ii) the bank, trust company, banking association,

or firm of which the person is an officer or director

does not engage in the underwriting of, or participate

in the marketing of, securities of the public utility of

which the person holds the position of officer or direc-

tor;

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As Amended Through P.L. 115-325, Enacted December 18, 2018

92Sec. 305 FEDERAL POWER ACT

(iii) the public utility for which the person serves

or proposes to serve as an officer or director selects

underwriters by competitive procedures; or

(iv) the issuance of securities of the public utility

for which the person serves or proposes to serve as an

officer or director has been approved by all Federal

and State regulatory agencies having jurisdiction over

the issuance.

(c)(1) On or before April 30 of each year, any person, who, dur-

ing the calendar year preceding the filing date under this sub-

section, was an officer or director of a public utility and who held,

during such calendar year, the position of officer, director, partner,

appointee, or representative of any other entity listed in paragraph

(2) shall file with the Commission, in such form and manner as the

Commission shall by rule prescribe, a written statement concerning

such positions held by such person. Such statement shall be avail-

able to the public.

(2) The entities listed for purposes of paragraph (1) are as fol-

lows—

(A) any investment bank, bank holding company, foreign

band or subsidiary thereof doing business in the United States,

insurance company, or any other organization primarily en-

gaged in the business of providing financial services or credit,

a mutual savings bank, or a savings and loan association;

(B) any company, firm, or organization which is authorized

by law to underwrite or participate in the marketing of securi-

ties of a public utility;

supplies electrical equipment or coal, natural gas, oil, nuclear

fuel, or other fuel, for the use of any public utility;

(D) any company, firm, or organization which during any

one of the 3 calendar years immediately preceding the filing

date was one of the 20 purchasers of electric energy which pur-

chased (for purposes other than for resale) one of the 20 largest

annual amounts of electric energy sold by such public utility

(or by any public utility which is part of the same holding com-

pany system) during any one of such three calendar years;

(E) any entity referred to in subsection (b); and

(F) any company, firm, or organization which is controlled

by any company, firm, or organization referred to in this para-

graph.

On or before January 31 of each calendar year, each public utility

shall publish a list, pursuant to rules prescribed by the Commis-

sion, of the purchasers to which subparagraph (D) applies, for pur-

poses of any filing under paragraph (1) of such calendar year.

(3) For purposes of this subsection—

(A) The term ‘‘public utility’’ includes any company which

is a part of a holding company system which includes a reg-

istered holding company, unless no company in such system is

an electric utility.

(B) The terms ‘‘holding company’’, ‘‘registered holding com-

pany’’, and ‘‘holding company system’’ have the same meaning

as when used in the Public Utility Company Act of 1935.

ø16 U.S.C. 825d¿

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As Amended Through P.L. 115-325, Enacted December 18, 2018

93 Sec. 307 FEDERAL POWER ACT

COMPLAINTS

. 306. Any person, electric utility, State, municipality, or

State commission complaining of anything done or omitted to be

done by any licensee, transmitting utility, or public utility in con-

travention of the provisions of this Act may apply to the Commis-

sion by petition which shall briefly state the facts, whereupon a

statement of the complaint thus made shall be forwarded by the

Commission to such licensee, transmitting utility, or public utility,

who shall be called upon to satisfy the complaint or to answer the

same in writing within a reasonable time to be specified by the

Commission. If such licensee, transmitting utility, or public utility

shall not satisfy the complaint within the time specified or there

shall appear to be any reasonable ground for investigating such

complaint, it shall be the duty of the Commission to investigate the

matters complained of in such manner and by such means as it

shall find proper.

ø16 U.S.C. 825e¿

INVESTIGATIONS BY COMMISSION

;

ATTENDANCE OF WITNESSES

;

DEPOSITIONS

. 307. (a) The Commission may investigate any facts, condi-

tions, practices, or matters which it may find necessary or proper

in order to determine whether any person, electric utility, transmit-

ting utility, or other entity has violated or is about to violate any

provisions of this Act or any rule, regulation, or order thereunder,

or to aid in the enforcement of the provisions of this Act or in pre-

scribing rules or regulations thereunder, or in obtaining informa-

tion to serve as a basis for recommending further legislation con-

cerning the matters to which this Act relates, or in obtaining infor-

mation about the sale of electric energy at wholesale in interstate

commerce and the transmission of electric energy in interstate com-

merce. The Commission may permit any person, electric utility,

transmitting utility, or other entity to file with it a statement in

writing under oath or otherwise, as it shall determine, as to any

or all facts and circumstances concerning a matter which may be

the subject of investigation. The Commission, in its discretion, may

publish or make available to State commissions information con-

cerning any such subject.

(b) For the purpose of any investigation or any other pro-

ceeding under this Act, any member of the Commission, or any offi-

cer designated by it, is empowered to administer oaths and affirma-

tions, subpena witnesses, compel their attendance, take evidence,

and require the production of any books, papers, correspondence,

memoranda, contracts, agreements, or other records which the

Commission finds relevant or material to the inquiry. Such attend-

ance of witnesses and the production of any such records may be

required from any place in the United States at any designated

place of hearing. Witnesses summoned by the Commission to ap-

pear before it shall be paid the same fees and mileage that are paid

witnesses in the courts of the United States.

to, any person, the Commission may invoke the aid of any court of

the United States within the jurisdiction of which such investiga-

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As Amended Through P.L. 115-325, Enacted December 18, 2018

94Sec. 307 FEDERAL POWER ACT

tion or proceeding is carried on, or where such person resides or

carries on business, in requiring the attendance and testimony of

witnesses and the production of books, papers, correspondence,

memoranda, contracts, agreements, and other records. Such court

may issue an order requiring such person to appear before the

Commission or member or officer designated by the Commission,

there to produce records, if so ordered, or to give testimony touch-

ing the matter under investigation or in question; and any failure

to obey such order of the court may be punished by such court as

a contempt thereof. All process in any such case may be served in

the judicial district whereof such person is an inhabitant or wher-

ever he may be found or may be doing business. Any person who

willfully shall fail or refuse to attend and testify or to answer any

lawful inquiry or to produce books, papers, correspondence, memo-

randa, contracts, agreements, or other records, if in his or its power

so to do, in obedience to the subpena of the Commission, shall be

guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be subject to

a fine of not more than $1,000 or to imprisonment for a term of

not more than one year, or both.

(d) The testimony of any witness may be taken, at the instance

of a party, in any proceeding or investigation pending before the

Commission, by deposition, at any time after the proceeding is at

issue. The Commission may also order testimony to be taken by

deposition in any proceeding or investigation pending before it, at

any stage of such proceeding or investigation. Such depositions

may be taken before any person authorized to administer oaths not

being of counsel or attorney to either of the parties, nor interested

in the proceeding or investigation. Reasonable notice must first be

given in writing by the party or his attorney proposing to take such

deposition to the opposite party or his attorney of record, as either

may be nearest, which notice shall state the name of the witness

and the time and place of the taking of his deposition. Any person

may be compelled to appear and depose, and to produce documen-

tary evidence, in the same manner as witnesses may be compelled

to appear and testify and produce documentary evidence before the

Commission, as hereinbefore provided. Such testimony shall be re-

duced to writing by the person taking the deposition, or under his

direction, and shall, after it has been reduced to writing, be sub-

scribed by the deponent.

(e) If a witness whose testimony may be desired to be taken

by deposition be in a foreign country, the deposition may be taken

before an officer or person designed by the Commission, or agreed

upon by the parties by stipulation in writing to be filed with the

Commission. All depositions must be promptly filed with the Com-

mission.

(f) Witnesses whose depositions are taken as authorized in this

Act, and the person or officer taking the same, shall be entitled to

the same fees as are paid for like services in the courts of the

United States.

ø16 U.S.C. 825f¿

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As Amended Through P.L. 115-325, Enacted December 18, 2018

95 Sec. 310 FEDERAL POWER ACT

HEARINGS

;

RULES OF PROCEDURE

. 308. (a) Hearings under this Act may be held before the

Commission, any member or members thereof or any representa-

tive of the Commission designated by it, and appropriate records

thereof shall be kept. In any proceeding before it, the Commission

in accordance with such rules and regulations as it may prescribe,

may admit as a party any interested State, State commission, mu-

nicipality, or any representative of interested consumers or security

holders, or any competitor of a party to such proceeding, or any

other person whose participation in the proceeding may be in the

public interest.

(b) All hearings, investigations, and proceedings under this Act

shall be governed by rules of practice and procedure to be adopted

by the Commission, and in the conduct thereof the technical rules

of evidence need not be applied. No informality in any hearing, in-

vestigation, or proceeding or in the manner of taking testimony

shall invalidate any order, decision, rule, or regulation issued

under the authority of this Act.

ø16 U.S.C. 825g¿

ADMINISTRATIVE POWERS OF COMMISSION

;

RULES

REGULATIONS

AND

ORDERS

. 309. The Commission shall have power to perform any

and all acts, and to prescribe, issue, make, amend, and rescind

such orders, rules, and regulations as it may find necessary or ap-

propriate to carry out the provisions of this Act. Among other

things, such rules and regulations may define accounting, tech-

nical, and trade terms used in this Act; and may prescribe the form

or forms of all statements, declarations, applications, and reports

to be filed with the Commission, the information which they shall

contain, and the time within which they shall be filed. Unless a dif-

ferent date is specified therein, rules and regulations of the Com-

mission shall be effective thirty days after publication in the man-

ner which the Commission shall prescribe. Orders of the Commis-

sion shall be effective on the date and in the manner which the

Commission shall prescribe. For the purposes of its rules and regu-

lations, the Commission may classify persons and matters within

its jurisdiction and prescribe different requirements for different

classes of persons or matters. All rules and regulations of the Com-

mission shall be filed with its secretary and shall be kept open in

convenient form for public inspection and examination during rea-

sonable business hours.

ø16 U.S.C. 825h¿

APPOINTMENT OF OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES

. 310. The Commission is authorized to appoint and fix the

compensation of such officers, attorneys, examiners, and experts as

may be necessary for carrying out its functions under this Act,

without regard to the provisions of other laws applicable to the em-

ployment and compensation of officers and employees of the United

States; and the Commission may, subject to civil-service laws, ap-

point such other officers and employees as are necessary for car-

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96Sec. 311 FEDERAL POWER ACT

rying out such functions and fix their salaries in accordance with

the Classification Act of 1949.

ø16 U.S.C. 825i¿

INVESTIGATIONS RELATING TO ELECTRIC ENERGY

. 311. In order to secure information necessary or appro-

priate as a basis for recommending legislation, the Commission is

authorized and directed to conduct investigations regarding the

generation, transmission, distribution, and sale of electric energy,

however produced, throughout the United States and its posses-

sions, whether or not otherwise subject to the jurisdiction of the

Commission, including the generation, transmission, distribution,

and sale of electric energy by any agency, authority, or instrumen-

tality of the United States, or of any State or municipality or other

political subdivision of a State. It shall, so far as practicable, secure

and keep current information regarding the ownership, operation,

management, and control of all facilities for such generation, trans-

mission, distribution, and sale; the capacity and output thereof and

the relationship between the two; the cost of generation, trans-

mission, and distribution; the rates, charges, and contracts in re-

spect of the sale of electric energy and its service to residential,

rural, commercial, and industrial consumers and other purchasers

by private and public agencies; and the relation of any or all such

facts to the development of navigation, industry, commerce, and

the national defense. The Commission shall report to Congress the

results of investigations made under authority of this section.

ø16 U.S.C. 825j¿

PUBLICATION AND SALE OF REPORTS

. 312. The Commission may provide for the publication of

its reports and decisions in such form and manner as may be best

adapted for public information and use, and is authorized to sell at

reasonable prices copies of all maps, atlases, and reports as it may

from time to time publish. Such reasonable prices may include the

cost of compilation, composition, and reproduction. The commission

is also authorized to make such charges as it deems reasonable for

special statistical services and other special or periodic services.

The amounts collected under this section shall be deposited in the

Treasury to the credit of miscellaneous receipts. All printing for the

Federal Power Commission making use of engraving, lithography,

and photolithography, together with the plates for the same, shall

be contracted for and performed under the direction of the Commis-

sion, under such limitations and conditions as the Joint Committee

on Printing may from time to time prescribe, and all other printing

for the Commission shall be done by the Public Printer under such

limitations and conditions as the Joint Committee on Printing may

from time to time prescribe. The entire work may be done at, or

ordered through, the Government Printing Office whenever, in the

judgment of the Joint Committee on Printing, the same would be

to the interest of the Government: Provided, That when the exigen-

cies of the public service so require, the Joint Committee on Print-

ing may authorize the Commission to make immediate contracts

for engraving, lithographing, and photolithographing, without ad-

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97 Sec. 313 FEDERAL POWER ACT

vertisement for proposals: Provided further, That nothing contained

in this or any other Act shall prevent the Federal Power Commis-

sion from placing orders with other departments or establishing for

engraving, lithographing, and photolithographing, in accordance

with the provisions of section 601 and 602 of the Act of June 30,

1932 (47 Stat. 417), providing for interdepartmental work.

ø16 U.S.C. 825k¿

REHEARINGS

;

COURT REVIEW OF ORDERS

. 313. (a) Any person, electric utility, State, municipality,

or State commission aggrieved by an order issued by the Commis-

sion in a proceeding under this Act to which such person, electric

utility, State, municipality, or State commission is a party may

apply for a rehearing within thirty days after the issuance of such

order. The application for rehearing shall set forth specifically the

ground or grounds upon which such application is based. Upon

such application the Commission shall have power to grant or deny

rehearing or to abrogate or modify its order without further hear-

ing. Unless the Commission acts upon the application for rehearing

within thirty days after it is filed, such application may be deemed

to have been denied. No proceeding to review any orders of the

Commission shall be brought by any entity unless such entity shall

have made application to the Commission for a rehearing thereon.

Until the record in a proceeding shall have been filed in a court of

appeals, as provided in subsection (b), the Commission may at any

time, upon reasonable notice and in such manner as it shall deem

proper, modify or set aside, in whole or in part, any finding or

order made or issued by it under the provisions of this act.

(b) Any party to a proceeding under this Act aggrieved by an

order issued by the Commission in such proceeding may obtain a

review of such order in the Circuit Court of Appeals of the United

States for any circuit wherein the licensee or public utility to which

the order relates is located or has its principal place of business,

or in the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Colum-

bia, by filing in such court, within sixty days after the order of the

Commission upon the application for rehearing, a written petition

praying that the order of the Commission be modified or set aside

in whole or in part. A copy of such petition shall forthwith be

transmitted by the clerk of the court to any member of the Com-

mission and thereupon the Commission shall file with the court the

record upon which the order complained of was entered, as pro-

vided in section 2112 of title 28, United States Code. Upon the fil-

ing of such petition such court shall have jurisdiction, which upon

the filing of the record with it shall be exclusive, to affirm, modify,

or set aside such order in whole or in part. No objection to the

order of the Commission shall be considered by the court unless

such objection shall have been urged before the Commission in the

application for rehearing unless there is reasonable ground for fail-

ure so to do. The finding of the Commission as to the facts, if sup-

ported by substantial evidence, shall be conclusive. If any party

shall apply to the court for leave to adduce additional evidence, and

shall show to the satisfaction of the court that such additional evi-

dence is material and that there were reasonable grounds for fail-

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As Amended Through P.L. 115-325, Enacted December 18, 2018

98Sec. 314 FEDERAL POWER ACT

ure to adduce such evidence in the proceedings before the Commis-

sion, the court may order such additional evidence to be taken be-

fore the Commission and to be adduced upon the hearing in such

manner and upon such terms and conditions as the court may

deem proper. The Commission may modify its findings as to the

facts by reason of additional evidence so taken, and it shall file

with the court such modified or new findings which, if supported

by substantial evidence, shall be conclusive, and its recommenda-

tion, if any, for the modification or setting aside of the original

order. The judgment and decree of the court, affirming, modifying,

or setting aside, in whole or in part, any such order of the Commis-

sion, shall be final, subject to review by the Supreme Court of the

United States upon certiorari or certification as provided in sec-

tions 239 and 240 of the Judicial Code, as amended (U.S.C., title

28, secs. 346 and 347).

(a) shall not, unless specifically ordered by the Commission, oper-

ate as a stay of the Commission’s order. The commencement of pro-

ceedings under subsection (b) of this section shall not, unless spe-

cifically ordered by the court, operate as a stay of the Commission’s

order.

ø16 U.S.C. 825l¿

ENFORCEMENT OF ACT

REGULATIONS AND ORDERS

. 314. (a) Whenever it shall appear to the Commission that

any person is engaged or about to engage in any acts or practices

which constitute or will constitute a violation of the provisions of

this Act, or of any rule, regulation, or order thereunder, it may in

its discretion bring an action in the proper District Court of the

United States, the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia, or

the United States courts of any Territory or other place subject to

the jurisdiction of the United States, to enjoin such acts or prac-

tices and to enforce compliance with this Act or any rule, regula-

tion, or order thereunder, and upon a proper showing a permanent

or temporary injunction or decree or restraining order shall be

granted without bond. The Commission may transmit such evi-

dence as may be available concerning such acts or practices to the

Attorney General, who, in his discretion, may institute the nec-

essary criminal proceedings under this Act.

(b) Upon application of the Commission the district courts of

the United States, the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia,

and the United States court of any Territory or other place subject

to the jurisdiction of the United States shall have jurisdiction to

issue writs of mandamus commanding any person to comply with

the provision of this Act or any rule, regulation, or order of the

Commission thereunder.

essary for proper legal aid and service of the Commission or its

member in the conduct of their work, or for proper representation

of the public interests in investigations made by it or cases or pro-

ceedings pending before it, whether at the Commission’s own in-

stance or upon complaint, or to appear for or represent the Com-

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As Amended Through P.L. 115-325, Enacted December 18, 2018

99 Sec. 316 FEDERAL POWER ACT

mission in any case in court; and the expenses of such employment

shall be paid out of the appropriation for the Commission.

(d) In any proceedings under subsection (a), the court may pro-

hibit, conditionally or unconditionally, and permanently or for such

period of time as the court determines, any individual who is en-

gaged or has engaged in practices constituting a violation of section

221 (and related rules and regulations) from—

(1) acting as an officer or director of an electric utility; or

(2) engaging in the business of purchasing or selling—

(A) electric energy; or

(B) transmission services subject to the jurisdiction of

the Commission.

ø16 U.S.C. 825m¿

GENERAL FORFEITURE PROVISION

;

VENUE

. 315. (a) Any licensee or public utility which willfully fails,

within the time prescribed by the Commission, to comply with any

order of the Commission, to file any report required under this Act

or any rule or regulation of the Commission thereunder, to submit

any information or document required by the Commission in the

course of an investigation conducted under this Act, or to appear

by an officer or agent at any hearing or investigation in response

to a subpena issued under this Act, shall forfeit to the United

States an amount not exceeding $1,000 to be fixed by the Commis-

sion after notice and opportunity for hearing. The imposition or

payment of any such forfeiture shall not bar or affect any penalty

prescribed in this Act but such forfeiture shall be in addition to any

such penalty.

(b) The forfeitures provided for in this Act shall be payable into

the Treasury of the United States and shall be recoverable in a

civil suit in the name of the United States, brought in the district

where the person is an inhabitant or has his principal place of

business, or if a licensee or public utility, in any district in which

such licensee or public utility transacts business. It shall be the

duty of the various district attorneys, under the direction of the At-

torney General of the United States, to prosecute for the recovery

of forfeitures under this Act. The costs and expenses of such pros-

ecution shall be paid from the appropriations for the expenses of

the courts of the United States.

section 211, 212, 213, or 214 or any rule or order issued under any

such provision.

ø16 U.S.C. 825n¿

GENERAL PENALTIES

. 316. (a) Any person who willfully and knowingly does or

causes or suffers to be done any act, matter, or thing in this Act

prohibited or declared to be unlawful, or who willfully and know-

ingly omits or fails to do any act, matter, or thing in this Act re-

quired to be done, or willfully and knowingly causes or suffers such

omission or failure, shall, upon conviction thereof, be punished by

a fine of not more than $1,000,000 or by imprisonment for not more

than 5 years or both.

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As Amended Through P.L. 115-325, Enacted December 18, 2018

100Sec. 316A FEDERAL POWER ACT

(b) Any person who willfully and knowingly violates any rule,

regulation, restriction, condition, or order made or imposed by the

Commission under authority of this Act, or any rule or regulation

imposed by the Secretary of the Army under authority of Part I of

this Act shall, in addition to any other penalties provided by law,

be punished upon conviction thereof by a fine of not exceeding

$25,000 for each and every day during which such offense occurs.

ø16 U.S.C. 825o¿

SEC. 316A. ENFORCEMENT OF CERTAIN PROVISIONS.

(a) V

IOLATIONS

.—It shall be unlawful for any person to violate

any provision of part II or any rule or order issued under any such

provision.

(b) C

IVIL

ENALTIES

.—Any person who violates any provision of

part II or any provision of any rule or order thereunder shall be

subject to a civil penalty of not more than $1,000,000 for each day

that such violation continues. Such penalty shall be assessed by the

Commission, after notice and opportunity for public hearing, in ac-

cordance with the same provisions as are applicable under section

31(d) in the case of civil penalties assessed under section 31. In de-

termining the amount of a proposed penalty, the Commission shall

take into consideration the seriousness of the violation and the ef-

forts of such person to remedy the violation in a timely manner.

ø16 U.S.C. 825o–1¿

JURISDICTION OF OFFENSES

;

ENFORCEMENT OF LIABILITIES AND

DUTIES

. 317. The District Courts of the United States, the Su-

preme Court of the District of Columbia, and the United States

courts of any Territory or other place subject to the jurisdiction of

the United States shall have exclusive jurisdiction of violations of

this Act or the rules, regulations, and orders thereunder, and of all

suits in equity and actions at law brought to enforce any liability

or duty created by, or to enjoin any violation of, this Act or any

rule, regulation, or order thereunder. Any criminal proceeding shall

be brought in the district wherein any act or transaction consti-

tuting the violation occurred. Any suit or action to enforce any li-

ability or duty created by, or to enjoin any violation of, this Act or

any rule, regulation, or order thereunder may be brought in any

such district or in the district wherein the defendant is an inhab-

itant, and process in such cases may be served wherever the de-

fendant may be found. Judgments and decrees so rendered shall be

subject to review as provided in sections 128 and 240 of the Judi-

cial Code, as amended (U.S.C., title 28, secs. 225 and 347). No costs

shall be assessed against the Commission in any judicial pro-

ceeding by or against the Commission under this Act.

ø16 U.S.C. 825p¿

. 318. øRepealed August 8, 2005.¿

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As Amended Through P.L. 115-325, Enacted December 18, 2018

101 Sec. 320 FEDERAL POWER ACT

OFFICE OF PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

. 319. (a)(1) There shall be an office in the Commission to

be known as the Office of Public Participation (hereinafter in this

section referred to as the ‘‘Office’’).

(2)(A) The Office shall be administered by a Director. The Di-

rector shall be appointed by the Chairman with the approval of the

Commission. The Director may be removed during his term of office

by the Chairman, with the approval of the Commission, only for in-

efficiency, neglect of duty, or malfeasance in office.

(B) The term of office of the Director shall be 4 years. The Di-

rector shall be responsible for the discharge of the functions and

duties of the Office. He shall be appointed and compensated at a

rate not in excess of the maximum rate prescribed for GS–18 of the

General Schedule under section 5332 of title 5 of the United States

Code.

(3) The Director may appoint, and assign the duties of, employ-

ees of such Office, and with the concurrence of the Commission he

may fix the compensation of such employees and procure tem-

porary and intermittent services to the same extent as is author-

ized under section 3109 of title 5, United States Code.

(b)(1) The Director shall coordinate assistance to the public

with respect to authorities exercised by the Commission. The Direc-

tor shall also coordinate assistance available to persons intervening

or participating or proposing to intervene or participate in pro-

ceedings before the Commission.

(2) The Commission may, under rules promulgated by it, pro-

vide compensation for reasonable attorney’s fees, expert witness

fees, and other costs of intervening or participating in any pro-

ceeding before the Commission to any person whose intervention,

or participation substantially contributed to the approval, in whole

or in part, of a position advocated by such person. Such compensa-

tion may be paid only if the Commission has determined that—

(A) the proceeding is significant, and

(B) such person’s intervention or participation in such pro-

ceeding without receipt of compensation constitutes a signifi-

cant financial hardship to him.

(3) Nothing in this subsection affects or restricts any rights of

any intervenor or participant under any other applicable law or

rule of law.

(4) There are to be appropriated to the Secretary of Energy to

be used by the Office for purposes of compensation of persons

under the provisions of this subsection not to exceed $500,000 for

the fiscal year 1978, not to exceed $2,000,000 for the fiscal year

1979, not to exceed $2,200,000 for the fiscal year 1980, and not to

exceed $2,400,000 for the fiscal year 1981.

ø16 U.S.C. 825q–1¿

SEPARABILITY OF PROVISIONS

. 320. If any provision of this Act, or the application of such

provision to any person or circumstance, shall be held invalid, the

remainder of the Act, and the application of such provision to per-

sons or circumstances other than those as to which it is held in-

valid, shall not be affected thereby.

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102Sec. 321 FEDERAL POWER ACT

ø16 U.S.C. 825r¿

SHORT TITLE

. 321. This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Federal Power Act.’’

ø16 U.S.C. 791a¿

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As Amended Through P.L. 115-325, Enacted December 18, 2018