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S 1017 114th Congress Senate Energy Alaska Electric power generation and transmission Environmental assessment, monitoring, research Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Federal-Indian relations Hawaii Intergovernmental relations Licensing and registrations State and local government operations Texas

A bill to amend the Federal Power Act to improve the siting of interstate electric transmission facilities, and for other purposes.

Introduced: April 21, 2015 Introduced by: Heinrich, Martin Democratic · New Mexico See on congress.gov
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 Everywhere this bill has been 3 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
May 14, 2015
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 114-65.
Apr 21, 2015
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Apr 21, 2015
Introduced in Senate
 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

This bill amends the Federal Power Act to declare U.S. policy regarding the national interstate electricity transmission system, and to ensure that high-priority regional transmission (HPRT) projects are in the public interest.

The bill prohibits a project developer from seeking a certificate for construction without first seeking authorization under applicable state law.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) may authorize HPRT project construction found to be required by public convenience and necessity if the state:

  • fails to approve the project,
  • rejects the project application,
  • has no authority to approve the project siting, or
  • authorizes the project subject to conditions that unreasonably interfere with an HPRT project.

FERC is designated the lead agency to coordinate both federal authorizations and related environmental reviews for an HPRT project.

FERC shall: (1) coordinate the federal authorization and related environmental review process with any Indian tribe, multistate entity, or state agency responsible for separate permitting or environmental review of a project; and (2) ensure timely and efficient review and permit decisions.

FERC must incorporate into the certificate certain mitigation measures recommended by federal and state agencies, including affected Indian tribes.

Excludes from coverage by this Act Alaska, Hawaii, and the Electric Reliability Council of Texas.

What's happening now May 14, 2015

Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 114-65.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1