CHAPTER 12—FEDERAL REGULATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF POWER

SUBCHAPTER I—REGULATION OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF WATER POWER AND RESOURCES

        

SUBCHAPTER II—REGULATION OF ELECTRIC UTILITY COMPANIES ENGAGED IN INTERSTATE COMMERCE

        

SUBCHAPTER III—LICENSEES AND PUBLIC UTILITIES; PROCEDURAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS

        

SUBCHAPTER IV—STATE AND MUNICIPAL WATER CONSERVATION FACILITIES

        

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Findings

Pub. L. 113–23, §2, Aug. 9, 2013, 127 Stat. 493, provided that: "Congress finds that—

"(1) the hydropower industry currently employs approximately 300,000 workers across the United States;

"(2) hydropower is the largest source of clean, renewable electricity in the United States;

"(3) as of the date of enactment of this Act [Aug. 9, 2013], hydropower resources, including pumped storage facilities, provide—

"(A) nearly 7 percent of the electricity generated in the United States; and

"(B) approximately 100,000 megawatts of electric capacity in the United States;

"(4) only 3 percent of the 80,000 dams in the United States generate electricity, so there is substantial potential for adding hydropower generation to nonpowered dams; and

"(5) according to one study, by utilizing currently untapped resources, the United States could add approximately 60,000 megawatts of new hydropower capacity by 2025, which could create 700,000 new jobs over the next 13 years."

SUBCHAPTER I—REGULATION OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF WATER POWER AND RESOURCES

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Codification; Construction

Act Aug. 26, 1935, ch. 687, title II, §212, 49 Stat. 847, provided that sections 1 to 29 of the Federal Water Power Act, as amended (sections 792, 793, 794 to 797, 798 to 818, 819, and 820 to 823 of this title) shall constitute part I of the act. Said section 212 also repealed sections 25 and 30 of the act (sections 819, 791 of this title). It also contained a proviso as follows: "That nothing in that Act, as amended, shall be construed to repeal or amend the provisions of the amendment to the Federal Water Power Act approved March 3, 1921 (41 Stat. 1353 [section 797a of this title]), or the provisions of any other Act relating to national parks and national monuments."

§791. Repealed. Aug. 26, 1935, ch. 687, title II, §212, 49 Stat. 847

Section, act June 10, 1920, ch. 285, §30, 41 Stat. 1077, designated the act as The Federal Water Power Act.

§791a. Short title

This chapter may be cited as the "Federal Power Act".

(June 10, 1920, ch. 285, pt. III, §321, formerly §320, as added Aug. 26, 1935, ch. 687, title II, §213, 49 Stat. 863; renumbered Pub. L. 95–617, title II, §212, Nov. 9, 1978, 92 Stat. 3148.)

Editorial Notes

Codification

Section was enacted as part of part III of the Federal Power Act, and not as part of part I of that Act which comprises this subchapter.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Short Title of 2013 Amendment

Pub. L. 113–23, §1(a), Aug. 9, 2013, 127 Stat. 493, provided that: "This Act [amending sections 798, 823a, and 2705 of this title and enacting provisions set out as notes preceding section 791 and under section 797 of this title] may be cited as the 'Hydropower Regulatory Efficiency Act of 2013'."

Short Title of 1990 Amendment

Pub. L. 101–575, §1, Nov. 15, 1990, 104 Stat. 2834, provided that: "This Act [enacting section 2243 of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare, amending sections 796 and 824a–3 of this title and sections 2014, 2061, 2201, and 2284 of Title 42, and enacting provisions set out as a note under section 796 of this title] may be cited as the 'Solar, Wind, Waste, and Geothermal Power Production Incentives Act of 1990'."

Short Title of 1988 Amendment

Pub. L. 100–473, §1, Oct. 6, 1988, 102 Stat. 2299, provided that: "This Act [amending section 824e of this title and enacting provisions set out as notes under section 824e of this title] may be cited as the 'Regulatory Fairness Act'."

Short Title of 1986 Amendment

Pub. L. 99–495, §1(a), Oct. 16, 1986, 100 Stat. 1243, provided that: "This Act [enacting sections 797b and 823b of this title, amending sections 797, 800, 802, 803, 807, 808, 817, 823a, 824a–3, and 824j of this title, and enacting provisions set out as notes under sections 797, 803, 823a, 824a–3, and 825h of this title] may be cited as the 'Electric Consumers Protection Act of 1986'."

§792. Federal Power Commission; creation; number; appointment; term; qualifications; vacancies; quorum; chairman; salary; place of holding sessions

A commission is created and established to be known as the Federal Power Commission (hereinafter referred to as the "commission") which shall be composed of five commissioners 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. Each chairman, when so designated, shall 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 June 23, 1930, 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 subsequent 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 political party. No person in the employ of or holding any official relation to any licensee or to any person, firm, association, or corporation engaged in the generation, transmission, distribution, or sale of power, or owning stock or bonds thereof, or who is in any manner pecuniarily interested therein, shall enter upon the duties of or hold the office of commissioners. Said commissioners shall not engage in any other business, vocation, or employment. No vacancy in the commission shall impair the right of the remaining commissioners to exercise all the powers of the commission. Three members of the commission shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, and the commission shall have an official seal of which judicial notice shall be taken. The commission shall annually 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 necessary traveling and subsistence expenses, or per diem allowance in lieu thereof, within the limitation 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 special sessions in any part of the United States.

(June 10, 1920, ch. 285, pt. I, §1, 41 Stat. 1063; June 23, 1930, ch. 572, §1, 46 Stat. 797; renumbered pt. I, Aug. 26, 1935, ch. 687, title II, §212, 49 Stat. 847; 1950 Reorg. Plan No. 9, §3, eff. May 24, 1950, 15 F.R. 3175, 64 Stat. 1265; Pub. L. 86–619, §1, July 12, 1960, 74 Stat. 407.)

Editorial Notes

Codification

Provisions which prescribed the compensation of commissioners were omitted as obsolete. Compensation of the Chairman and members of the Commission was prescribed by sections 5314 and 5315 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees, prior to termination of the Commission. See Termination of Federal Power Commission; Transfer of Functions note below.

Amendments

1960—Pub. L. 86–619 provided for continuation in office of a commissioner upon termination of his term until a successor is appointed and has qualified, not beyond expiration of next session of Congress subsequent to the expiration of said fixed term of office.

1930—Act June 23, 1938, amended section generally. Prior to amendment section read as follows: "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 the Secretary of War, the Secretary of the Interior, and the Secretary of Agriculture. Two members of the commission shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, and the commission shall have an official seal, which shall be judicially noticed. The President shall designate the chairman of the commission."

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Repeals

Act Oct. 15, 1949, ch. 695, §5(a), 63 Stat. 880, formerly cited as a credit to this section, was repealed by Pub. L. 89–554, §8(a), Sept. 6, 1966, 80 Stat. 655.

Termination of Federal Power Commission; Transfer of Functions

The Federal Power Commission was terminated, and its functions, personnel, property, funds, etc., were transferred to the Secretary of Energy (except for certain functions which were transferred to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission) by sections 7151(b), 7171(a), 7172(a), 7291, and 7293 of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare.

Executive Documents

Transfer of Functions

Executive and administrative functions of Federal Power Commission, with certain reservations, transferred to Chairman of such Commission, with authority vested in him to authorize their performance by any officer, employee, or administrative unit under his jurisdiction, by Reorg. Plan No. 9 of 1950, set out below.

REORGANIZATION PLAN NO. 9 OF 1950

Eff. May 24, 1950, 15 F.R. 3175, 64 Stat. 1265

Prepared by the President and transmitted to the Senate and the House of Representatives in Congress assembled, March 13, 1950, pursuant to the provisions of the Reorganization Act of 1949, approved June 20, 1949 [see 5 U.S.C. 901 et seq.].

FEDERAL POWER COMMISSION

Section 1. Transfer of Functions to the Chairman

(a) Subject to the provisions of subsection (b) of this section, there are hereby transferred from the Federal Power Commission, hereinafter referred to as the Commission, to the Chairman of the Commission, hereinafter referred to as the Chairman, the executive and administrative functions of the Commission, including functions of the Commission with respect to (1) the appointment and supervision of personnel employed under the Commission, (2) the distribution of business among such personnel and among administrative units of the Commission, and (3) the use and expenditure of funds.

(b)(1) In carrying out any of his functions under the provisions of this section the Chairman shall be governed by general policies of the Commission and by such regulatory decisions, findings, and determinations as the Commission may by law be authorized to make.

(2) The appointment by the Chairman of the heads of major administrative units under the Commission shall be subject to the approval of the Commission.

(3) Personnel employed regularly and full time in the immediate offices of Commissioners other than the Chairman shall not be affected by the provisions of this reorganization plan.

(4) There are hereby reserved to the Commission its functions with respect to revising budget estimates and with respect to determining upon the distribution of appropriated funds according to major programs and purposes.

Sec. 2. Performance of Transferred Functions

The Chairman may from time to time make such provisions as he shall deem appropriate authorizing the performance by any officer, employee, or administrative unit under his jurisdiction of any functions transferred to the Chairman by the provisions of this reorganization plan.

Sec. 3. Designation of Chairman

The functions of the Commission with respect to choosing a chairman from among the commissioners composing the Commission are hereby transferred to the President.

§793. Appointment of officers and employees of Commission; duties, and salaries; detail of officers and employees from other departments; expenditures authorized

The commission shall have authority to appoint, prescribe the duties, and fix the salaries of, a secretary, a chief engineer, 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 chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of title 5. The commission may request the President to detail an officer 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 authorized. The President may also, at the request of the commission, detail, assign, or transfer to the commission, engineers in or under the Departments of the Interior or Agriculture for field work outside the seat of government under the direction of the commission.

The commission may make such expenditures (including expenditures 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 functions. 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 chapters 1 to 11 of title 40 and division C (except sections 3302, 3306(f), 3307(e), 3501(b), 3509, 3906, 4104, 4710, and 4711) of subtitle I of title 41.

(June 10, 1920, ch. 285, pt. I, §2, 41 Stat. 1063; June 23, 1930, ch. 572, §1, 46 Stat. 798; renumbered pt. I, Aug. 26, 1935, ch. 687, title II, §212, 49 Stat. 847; Oct. 28, 1949, ch. 782, title XI, §1106(a), 63 Stat. 972; Oct. 31, 1951, ch. 654, §2(14), 65 Stat. 707.)

Editorial Notes

Codification

All appointments referred to in the first sentence are subject to the civil service laws unless specifically excepted by those laws or by laws enacted subsequent to Executive Order 8743, Apr. 23, 1941, issued by the President pursuant to the Act of Nov. 26, 1940, ch. 919, title I, §1, 54 Stat. 1211, which covered most excepted positions into the classified (competitive) civil service. The Order is set out as a note under section 3301 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.

As to the compensation of such personnel, sections 1202 and 1204 of the Classification Act of 1949, 63 Stat. 972, 973, repealed the Classification Act of 1923 and all other laws or parts of laws inconsistent with the 1949 Act. The Classification Act of 1949 was repealed Pub. L. 89–554, Sept. 6, 1966, §8(a), 80 Stat. 632, and reenacted as chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of Title 5. Section 5102 of Title 5 contains the applicability provisions of the 1949 Act, and section 5103 of Title 5 authorizes the Office of Personnel Management to determine the applicability to specific positions and employees.

In text, "chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of title 5" substituted for "the Classification Act of 1949, as amended" on authority of Pub. L. 89–554, §7(b), Sept. 6, 1966, 80 Stat. 631, the first section of which enacted Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.

In text, "chapters 1 to 11 of title 40 and division C (except sections 3302, 3306(f), 3307(e), 3501(b), 3509, 3906, 4104, 4710, and 4711) of subtitle I of title 41" substituted for "the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949, as amended" on authority of Pub. L. 107–217, §5(c), Aug. 21, 2002, 116 Stat. 1303, which Act enacted Title 40, Public Buildings, Property, and Works, and Pub. L. 111–350, §6(c), Jan. 4, 2011, 124 Stat. 3854, which Act enacted Title 41, Public Contracts.

Amendments

1951—Act Oct. 31, 1951, inserted reference to applicable regulations of the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949, as amended, at end of section.

1949—Act Oct. 28, 1949, substituted "Classification Act of 1949" for "Classification Act of 1923".

1930—Act June 23, 1930, substituted provisions permitting the commission to appoint, prescribe the duties, and fix the salaries of, a secretary, a chief engineer, a general counsel, a solicitor, and a chief accountant, and to appoint such other officers and employees as are necessary in the execution of its functions and fix their salaries, and authorizing the detail of officers from the Corps of Engineers, or other branches of the United States Army, to serve the commission as engineer officers, or in any other capacity, in field work outside the seat of government, and the detail, assignment or transfer to the commission of engineers in or under the Departments of the Interior or Agriculture for work outside the seat of government for provisions which required the commission to appoint an executive secretary at a salary of $5,000 per year and prescribe his duties, and which permitted the detail of an officer from the United States Engineer Corps to serve the commission as engineer officer; and inserted provisions permitting the commission to make certain expenditures necessary in the execution of its functions, and allowing the payment of expenditures upon the presentation of itemized vouchers approved by authorized persons.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Repeals

Act Oct. 28, 1949, ch. 782, cited as a credit to this section, was repealed (subject to a savings clause) by Pub. L. 89–554, Sept. 6, 1966, §8, 80 Stat. 632, 655.

§793a. Repealed. Pub. L. 87–367, title I, §103(5), Oct. 4, 1961, 75 Stat. 787

Section, Pub. L. 86–626, title I, §101, July 12, 1960, 74 Stat. 430, authorized the Federal Power Commission to place four additional positions in grade 18, one in grade 17 and one in grade 16 of the General Schedule of the Classification Act of 1949.

§§794, 795. Omitted

Editorial Notes

Codification

Section 794, which required the work of the commission to be performed by and through the Departments of War, Interior, and Agriculture and their personnel, consisted of the second paragraph of section 2 of act June 10, 1920, ch. 285, 41 Stat. 1063, which was omitted in the revision of said section 2 by act June 23, 1930, ch. 572, §1, 46 Stat. 798. The first and third paragraphs of said section 2 were formerly classified to sections 793 and 795 of this title.

Section 795, which related to expenses of the commission generally, consisted of the third paragraph of section 2 of act June 10, 1920, ch. 285, 41 Stat. 1063. Such section 2 was amended generally by act June 23, 1930, ch. 572, §1, 46 Stat. 798, and is classified to section 793 of this title. The first and second paragraphs of said section 2 were formerly classified to sections 793 and 794 of this title.

§796. Definitions

The words defined in this section shall have the following meanings for purposes of this chapter, to wit:

(1) "public lands" means such lands and interest in lands owned by the United States as are subject to private appropriation and disposal under public land laws. It shall not include "reservations", as hereinafter defined;

(2) "reservations" means national forests, 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 acquired and held for any public purposes; but shall not include national monuments or national parks;

(3) "corporation" means any corporation, joint-stock company, partnership, association, business trust, organized group of persons, whether incorporated or not, or a receiver or receivers, trustee or trustees of any of the foregoing. It shall not include "municipalities" 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 797 of this title, 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 developing, 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 authority to regulate commerce with foreign nations and among the several States, and which either in their natural or improved condition 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 persons or property in interstate or foreign commerce, including therein all such interrupting falls, shallows, or rapids, together with such other parts of streams as shall have been authorized by Congress for improvement by the United States or shall have been recommended to Congress for such improvement after investigation under its authority;

(9) "municipal purposes" means and includes all purposes within 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 constructed or owned by the United States for Government purposes with or without contribution from others;

(11) "project" means complete unit of improvement or development, 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 distribution 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 and occupancy of which are necessary or appropriate in the maintenance 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 "classification of investment in road and equipment of steam roads, issue of 1914, Interstate Commerce Commission", plus similar costs of additions thereto and betterments thereof, minus the sum of the following 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) Unappropriated surplus, (b) aggregate credit balances of current depreciation 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, insofar as applicable, the elements thereof prescribed in said classification, 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 promulgated 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 municipality;

(16) "security" means any note, stock, treasury stock, bond, debenture, or other evidence of interest in or indebtedness of a corporation subject to the provisions of this chapter;

(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, geothermal 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 include, as determined under rules prescribed by the Commission, in consultation with the Secretary of Energy—

(i) the minimum amounts of 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;

(C) "qualifying small power production facility" means a small power production facility that the Commission determines, by rule, meets such requirements (including requirements respecting fuel use, fuel efficiency, and reliability) as the Commission may, by rule, prescribe;

(D) "qualifying small power producer" means the owner or operator 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 Commission not later than December 31, 1994:

(I) an application for certification of the facility as a qualifying small power production facility; or

(II) notice that the facility meets the requirements 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 facility taking into account all factors relevant to construction of the facility.¹

(18)(A) "cogeneration facility" means a facility which produces—

(i) electric energy, and

(ii) steam or forms of useful energy (such as heat) which are used for industrial, commercial, heating, or cooling purposes;

(B) "qualifying cogeneration facility" means a cogeneration facility that the Commission determines, by rule, meets such requirements (including requirements respecting minimum size, fuel use, and fuel efficiency) as the Commission may, by rule, prescribe;

(C) "qualifying cogenerator" means the owner or operator of a 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;

(21) "State regulatory authority" has the same meaning as the term "State commission", except that in the case of an electric utility with respect to which the Tennessee Valley Authority has ratemaking authority (as defined in section 2602 of this title), such term means the Tennessee Valley Authority;

(22) Electric utility.—(A) The term "electric utility" means a person or Federal or State agency (including an entity described in section 824(f) of this title) that sells electric energy.¹

(B) The term "electric utility" includes the Tennessee Valley Authority and each Federal power marketing administration.¹

(23) Transmitting utility.—The term "transmitting utility" means an entity (including an entity described in section 824(f) of this title) 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.¹

(24) Wholesale transmission services.—The term "wholesale transmission services" means the transmission of electric energy sold, or to be sold, at wholesale in interstate commerce.¹

(25) Exempt wholesale generator.—The term "exempt wholesale generator" shall have the meaning provided by section 79z–5a ² of title 15.¹

(26) Electric cooperative.—The term "electric cooperative" means a cooperatively owned electric utility.¹

(27) RTO.—The term "Regional Transmission Organization" or "RTO" means an entity of sufficient regional scope approved by the Commission—

(A) to exercise operational or functional control of facilities used for the transmission of electric energy in interstate commerce; and

(B) to ensure nondiscriminatory access to the facilities.¹

(28) ISO.—The term "Independent System Operator" or "ISO" means an entity approved by the Commission—

(A) to exercise operational or functional control of facilities used for the transmission of electric energy in interstate commerce; and

(B) to ensure nondiscriminatory access to the facilities.³

(29) Transmission organization.—The term "Transmission Organization" means a Regional Transmission Organization, Independent System Operator, independent transmission provider, or other transmission organization finally approved by the Commission for the operation of transmission facilities.

(June 10, 1920, ch. 285, pt. I, §3, 41 Stat. 1063; renumbered pt. I and amended, Aug. 26, 1935, ch. 687, title II, §§201, 212, 49 Stat. 838, 847; Pub. L. 95–617, title II, §201, Nov. 9, 1978, 92 Stat. 3134; Pub. L. 96–294, title VI, §643(a)(1), June 30, 1980, 94 Stat. 770; Pub. L. 101–575, §3, Nov. 15, 1990, 104 Stat. 2834; Pub. L. 102–46, May 17, 1991, 105 Stat. 249; Pub. L. 102–486, title VII, §726, Oct. 24, 1992, 106 Stat. 2921; Pub. L. 109–58, title XII, §§1253(b), 1291(b), Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 970, 984.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Section 79z–5a of title 15, referred to in par. (25), was repealed by Pub. L. 109–58, title XII, §1263, Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 974.

Amendments

2005—Par. (17)(C). Pub. L. 109–58, §1253(b)(1), amended subpar. (C) generally. Prior to amendment, subpar. (C) read as follows: " 'qualifying small power production facility' means a small power production facility—

"(i) which the Commission determines, by rule, meets such requirements (including requirements respecting fuel use, fuel efficiency, and reliability) as the Commission may, by rule, prescribe; and

"(ii) which is owned by a person not primarily engaged in the generation or sale of electric power (other than electric power solely from cogeneration facilities or small power production facilities);".

Par. (18)(B). Pub. L. 109–58, §1253(b)(2), amended subpar. (B) generally. Prior to amendment, subpar. (B) read as follows: " 'qualifying cogeneration facility' means a cogeneration facility which—

"(i) the Commission determines, by rule, meets such requirements (including requirements respecting minimum size, fuel use, and fuel efficiency) as the Commission may, by rule, prescribe; and

"(ii) is owned by a person not primarily engaged in the generation or sale of electric power (other than electric power solely from cogeneration facilities or small power production facilities);".

Pars. (22), (23). Pub. L. 109–58, §1291(b)(1), added pars. (22) and (23) and struck out former pars. (22) and (23) which read as follows:

"(22) 'electric utility' means any person or State agency (including any municipality) which sells electric energy; such term includes the Tennessee Valley Authority, but does not include any Federal power marketing agency.

"(23) Transmitting utility.—The term 'transmitting utility' means any electric utility, qualifying cogeneration facility, qualifying small power production facility, or Federal power marketing agency which owns or operates electric power transmission facilities which are used for the sale of electric energy at wholesale."

Pars. (26) to (29). Pub. L. 109–58, §1291(b)(2), added pars. (26) to (29).

1992—Par. (22). Pub. L. 102–486, §726(b), inserted "(including any municipality)" after "State agency".

Pars. (23) to (25). Pub. L. 102–486, §726(a), added pars. (23) to (25).

1991—Par. (17)(E). Pub. L. 102–46 struck out ", and which would otherwise not qualify as a small power production facility because of the power production capacity limitation contained in subparagraph (A)(ii)" after "geothermal resources" in introductory provisions.

1990—Par. (17)(A). Pub. L. 101–575, §3(a), inserted "a facility which is an eligible solar, wind, waste, or geothermal facility, or".

Par. (17)(E). Pub. L. 101–575, §3(b), added subpar. (E).

1980—Par. (17)(A)(i). Pub. L. 96–294 added applicability to geothermal resources.

1978—Pars. (17) to (22). Pub. L. 95–617 added pars. (17) to (22).

1935—Act Aug. 26, 1935, §201, amended definitions of "reservations" and "corporations", and inserted definitions of "person", "licensee", "commission", "commissioner", "State commission" and "security".

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

FERC Regulations

Pub. L. 101–575, §4, Nov. 15, 1990, 104 Stat. 2834, provided that: "Unless the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission otherwise specifies, by rule after enactment of this Act [Nov. 15, 1990], any eligible solar, wind, waste, or geothermal facility (as defined in section 3(17)(E) of the Federal Power Act as amended by this Act [16 U.S.C. 796(17)(E)]), which is a qualifying small power production facility (as defined in subparagraph (C) of section 3(17) of the Federal Power Act as amended by this Act)—

"(1) shall be considered a qualifying small power production facility for purposes of part 292 of title 18, Code of Federal Regulations, notwithstanding any size limitations contained in such part, and

"(2) shall not be subject to the size limitation contained in section 292.601(b) of such part."

State Authorities; Construction

Pub. L. 102–486, title VII, §731, Oct. 24, 1992, 106 Stat. 2921, provided that: "Nothing in this title [enacting sections 824l, 824m, and 825o–1 of this title and former sections 79z–5a and 79z–5b of Title 15, Commerce and Trade, and amending this section, sections 824, 824j, 824k, 825n, 825o, and 2621 of this title, and provisions formerly set out as a note under former section 79k of Title 15] or in any amendment made by this title shall be construed as affecting or intending to affect, or in any way to interfere with, the authority of any State or local government relating to environmental protection or the siting of facilities."

Termination of Federal Power Commission; Transfer of Functions

The Federal Power Commission was terminated, and its functions, personnel, property, funds, etc., were transferred to the Secretary of Energy (except for certain functions which were transferred to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission) by sections 7151(b), 7171(a), 7172(a), 7291, and 7293 of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare.

Abolition of Interstate Commerce Commission and Transfer of Functions

Interstate Commerce Commission abolished and functions of Commission transferred, except as otherwise provided in Pub. L. 104–88, to Surface Transportation Board effective Jan. 1, 1996, by section 1302 of Title 49, Transportation, and section 101 of Pub. L. 104–88, set out as a note under section 1301 of Title 49. References to Interstate Commerce Commission deemed to refer to Surface Transportation Board, a member or employee of the Board, or Secretary of Transportation, as appropriate, see section 205 of Pub. L. 104–88, set out as a note under section 1301 of Title 49.

¹ So in original. The period probably should be a semicolon.

² See References in Text note below.

³ So in original. The period probably should be "; and".

§797. General powers of Commission

The Commission is authorized and empowered—

(a) Investigations and data

To make investigations and to collect and record data concerning the utilization of the water resources of any region to be developed, the water-power industry and its relation to other industries and to interstate or foreign commerce, and concerning the location, capacity, development costs, 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 Commission may deem necessary or useful for the purposes of this chapter.

(b) Statements as to investment of licensees in projects; access to projects, maps, etc.

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 reasonable period of time to be fixed by the Commission, after the construction of the original project or any addition thereto or betterment thereof, file with the Commission in such detail as the Commission 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 Commission 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 revisions thereof as determined by the Commission, shall be filed with the Secretary of the Treasury.

(c) Cooperation with executive departments; information and aid furnished Commission

To cooperate with the executive departments and other 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) Publication of information, etc.; reports to Congress

To make public from time to time the information secured hereunder, and to provide for the publication of its reports and investigations 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 subchapter, and in each case the parties thereto, the terms prescribed, and the moneys received if any, or account thereof.

(e) Issue of licenses for construction, etc., of dams, conduits, reservoirs, etc.

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, transmission lines, or other project works necessary or convenient for the development and improvement of navigation and for the development, transmission, and utilization of power across, along, from, or in any of the streams or other bodies of water over which Congress 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 (including 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 reservation 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 necessary for the adequate protection and utilization of such reservation: ¹ 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 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 August 8, 2005, the Secretaries of the Interior, Commerce, and Agriculture shall establish jointly, by rule, the procedures for such expedited trial-type hearing, including the opportunity to undertake discovery and cross-examine witnesses, in consultation with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.² Provided further, That no license affecting the navigable capacity of any navigable waters of the United States shall be issued until the plans of the dam or other structures affecting the 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 purposes 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 published as required by the proviso of said subsection. In deciding whether to issue any license under this subchapter 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 damage to, and enhancement of, fish and wildlife (including related spawning grounds and habitat), the protection of recreational opportunities, and the preservation of other aspects of environmental quality.

(f) Preliminary permits; notice of application

To issue preliminary permits for the purpose of enabling applicants for a license hereunder to secure the data and to perform the acts required by section 802 of this title: Provided, however, That upon the filing of any application for a preliminary permit by any person, 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 affected by such application; and shall also publish notice of such application once each week for four weeks in a daily or weekly newspaper published in the county or counties in which the project or any part hereof or the lands affected thereby are situated.

(g) Investigation of occupancy for developing power; orders

Upon its own motion to order an investigation of any occupancy of, or evidenced intention to occupy, for the purpose of developing electric power, public lands, reservations, or streams or other bodies of water over which Congress has jurisdiction under its authority 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.

(June 10, 1920, ch. 285, pt. I, §4, 41 Stat. 1065; June 23, 1930, ch. 572, §2, 46 Stat. 798; renumbered pt. I and amended, Aug. 26, 1935, ch. 687, title II, §§202, 212, 49 Stat. 839, 847; July 26, 1947, ch. 343, title II, §205(a), 61 Stat. 501; Pub. L. 97–375, title II, §212, Dec. 21, 1982, 96 Stat. 1826; Pub. L. 99–495, §3(a), Oct. 16, 1986, 100 Stat. 1243; Pub. L. 109–58, title II, §241(a), Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 674.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2005—Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 109–58, which directed amendment of subsec. (e) by inserting after "adequate protection and utilization of such reservation." at end of first proviso "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 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 August 8, 2005, the Secretaries of the Interior, Commerce, and Agriculture shall establish jointly, by rule, the procedures for such expedited trial-type hearing, including the opportunity to undertake discovery and cross-examine witnesses, in consultation with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.", was executed by making the insertion after "adequate protection and utilization of such reservation:" at end of first proviso, to reflect the probable intent of Congress.

1986—Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 99–495 inserted provisions that in deciding whether to issue any license under this subchapter, the Commission, in addition to power and development purposes, is required to give equal consideration to purposes of energy conservation, the protection, mitigation of damage to, and enhancement of, fish and wildlife, the protection of recreational opportunities, and the preservation of environmental quality.

1982—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 97–375 struck out provision that the report contain the names and show the compensation of the persons employed by the Commission.

1935—Subsec. (a). Act Aug. 26, 1935, §202, struck out last paragraph of subsec. (a) which related to statements of cost of construction, etc., and free access to projects, maps, etc., and is now covered by subsec. (b).

Subsecs. (b), (c). Act Aug. 26, 1935, §202, added subsec. (b) and redesignated former subsecs. (b) and (c) as (c) and (d), respectively.

Subsec. (d). Act Aug. 26, 1935, §202, redesignated subsec. (c) as (d) and substituted "3d day of January" for "first Monday in December" in second sentence. Former subsec. (d) redesignated (e).

Subsec. (e). Act Aug. 26, 1935, §202, redesignated subsec. (d) as (e) and substituted "streams or other bodies of water over which Congress has jurisdiction under its authority to regulate commerce with foreign nations and among the several States" for "navigable waters of the United States" and "subsection (f)" for "subsection (e)". Former subsec. (e) redesignated (f).

Subsec. (f). Act Aug. 26, 1935, §202, redesignated subsec. (e) as (f) and substituted "once each week for four weeks" for "for eight weeks". Former section (f), which related to the power of the Commission to prescribe regulations for the establishment of a system of accounts and the maintenance thereof, was struck out by act Aug. 26, 1935.

Subsec. (g). Act Aug. 26, 1935, §202, added subsec. (g). Former subsec. (g), which related to the power of the Commission to hold hearings and take testimony by deposition, was struck out.

Subsec. (h). Act Aug. 26, 1935, §202, struck out subsec. (h) which related to the power of the Commission to perform any and all acts necessary and proper for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this chapter.

1930—Subsec. (d). Act June 23, 1930, inserted sentence respecting contents of report.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Change of Name

Department of War designated Department of the Army and title of Secretary of War changed to Secretary of the Army by section 205(a) of act July 26, 1947, ch. 343, title II, 61 Stat. 501. Section 205(a) of act July 26, 1947, was repealed by section 53 of act Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 641. Section 1 of act Aug. 10, 1956, enacted "Title 10, Armed Forces" which in sections 3010 to 3013 continued military Department of the Army under administrative supervision of Secretary of the Army.

Effective Date of 1986 Amendment

Pub. L. 99–495, §18, Oct. 16, 1986, 100 Stat. 1259, provided that: "Except as otherwise provided in this Act, the amendments made by this Act [enacting section 823b of this title and amending this section and sections 800, 802, 803, 807, 808, 817, 823a, 824a–3, and 824j of this title] shall take effect with respect to each license, permit, or exemption issued under the Federal Power Act after the enactment of this Act [Oct. 16, 1986]. The amendments made by sections 6 and 12 of this Act [enacting section 823b of this title and amending section 817 of this title] shall apply to licenses, permits, and exemptions without regard to when issued."

Savings Provision

Pub. L. 99–495, §17(a), Oct. 16, 1986, 100 Stat. 1259, provided that: "Nothing in this Act [see Short Title of 1986 Amendment note set out under section 791a of this title] shall be construed as authorizing the appropriation of water by any Federal, State, or local agency, Indian tribe, or any other entity or individual. Nor shall any provision of this Act—

"(1) affect the rights or jurisdiction of the United States, the States, Indian tribes, or other entities over waters of any river or stream or over any ground water resource;

"(2) alter, amend, repeal, interpret, modify, or be in conflict with any interstate compact made by the States;

"(3) alter or establish the respective rights of States, the United States, Indian tribes, or any person with respect to any water or water-related right;

"(4) affect, expand, or create rights to use transmission facilities owned by the Federal Government;

"(5) alter, amend, repeal, interpret, modify, or be in conflict with, the Treaty rights or other rights of any Indian tribe;

"(6) permit the filing of any competing application in any relicensing proceeding where the time for filing a competing application expired before the enactment of this Act [Oct. 16, 1986]; or

"(7) modify, supersede, or affect the Pacific Northwest Electric Power Planning and Conservation Act [16 U.S.C. 839 et seq.]."

Termination of Reporting Requirements

For termination, effective May 15, 2000, of provisions in subsec. (d) of this section relating to submitting a classified annual report to Congress showing permits and licenses issued under this subchapter, see section 3003 of Pub. L. 104–66, as amended, set out as a note under section 1113 of Title 31, Money and Finance, and page 91 of House Document No. 103–7.

Promoting Hydropower Development at Nonpowered Dams and Closed Loop Pumped Storage Projects

Pub. L. 113–23, §6, Aug. 9, 2013, 127 Stat. 495, provided that:

"(a) In General.—To improve the regulatory process and reduce delays and costs for hydropower development at nonpowered dams and closed loop pumped storage projects, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (referred to in this section as the 'Commission') shall investigate the feasibility of the issuance of a license for hydropower development at nonpowered dams and closed loop pumped storage projects in a 2-year period (referred to in this section as a '2-year process'). Such a 2-year process shall include any prefiling licensing process of the Commission.

"(b) Workshops and Pilots.—The Commission shall—

"(1) not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act [Aug. 9, 2013], hold an initial workshop to solicit public comment and recommendations on how to implement a 2-year process;

"(2) develop criteria for identifying projects featuring hydropower development at nonpowered dams and closed loop pumped storage projects that may be appropriate for licensing within a 2-year process;

"(3) not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, develop and implement pilot projects to test a 2-year process, if practicable; and

"(4) not later than 3 years after the date of implementation of the final pilot project testing a 2-year process, hold a final workshop to solicit public comment on the effectiveness of each tested 2-year process.

"(c) Memorandum of Understanding.—The Commission shall, to the extent practicable, enter into a memorandum of understanding with any applicable Federal or State agency to implement a pilot project described in subsection (b).

"(d) Reports.—

"(1) Pilot projects not implemented.—If the Commission determines that no pilot project described in subsection (b) is practicable because no 2-year process is practicable, not later than 240 days after the date of enactment of this Act [Aug. 9, 2013], the Commission shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate a report that—

"(A) describes the public comments received as part of the initial workshop held under subsection (b)(1); and

"(B) identifies the process, legal, environmental, economic, and other issues that justify the determination of the Commission that no 2-year process is practicable, with recommendations on how Congress may address or remedy the identified issues.

"(2) Pilot projects implemented.—If the Commission develops and implements pilot projects involving a 2-year process, not later than 60 days after the date of completion of the final workshop held under subsection (b)(4), the Commission shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate a report that—

"(A) describes the outcomes of the pilot projects;

"(B) describes the public comments from the final workshop on the effectiveness of each tested 2-year process; and

"(C)(i) outlines how the Commission will adopt policies under existing law (including regulations) that result in a 2-year process for appropriate projects;

"(ii) outlines how the Commission will issue new regulations to adopt a 2-year process for appropriate projects; or

"(iii) identifies the process, legal, environmental, economic, and other issues that justify a determination of the Commission that no 2-year process is practicable, with recommendations on how Congress may address or remedy the identified issues."

Improvement at Existing Federal Facilities

Pub. L. 102–486, title XXIV, §2404, Oct. 24, 1992, 106 Stat. 3097, as amended by Pub. L. 103–437, §6(d)(37), Nov. 2, 1994, 108 Stat. 4585; Pub. L. 104–66, title I, §1052(h), Dec. 21, 1995, 109 Stat. 718, directed Secretary of the Interior and Secretary of the Army, in consultation with Secretary of Energy, to perform reconnaissance level studies, for each of the Nation's principal river basins, of cost effective opportunities to increase hydropower production at existing federally-owned or operated water regulation, storage, and conveyance facilities, with such studies to be completed within 2 years after Oct. 24, 1992, and transmitted to Congress, further provided that in cases where such studies had been prepared by any agency of the United States and published within ten years prior to Oct. 24, 1992, Secretary of the Interior, or Secretary of the Army, could choose to rely on information developed by prior studies rather than conduct new studies, and further provided for appropriations for fiscal years 1993 to 1995.

Water Conservation and Energy Production

Pub. L. 102–486, title XXIV, §2405, Oct. 24, 1992, 106 Stat. 3098, provided that:

"(a) Studies.—The Secretary of the Interior, acting pursuant to the Federal reclamation laws (Act of June 17, 1902, 32 Stat. 388) [see Short Title note under section 371 of Title 43, Public Lands], and Acts supplementary thereto and amendatory thereof, is authorized and directed to conduct feasibility investigations of opportunities to increase the amount of hydroelectric energy available for marketing by the Secretary from Federal hydroelectric power generation facilities resulting from a reduction in the consumptive use of such power for Federal reclamation project purposes or as a result of an increase in the amount of water available for such generation because of water conservation efforts on Federal reclamation projects or a combination thereof. The Secretary of the Interior is further authorized and directed to conduct feasibility investigations of opportunities to mitigate damages to or enhance fish and wildlife as a result of increasing the amount of water available for such purposes because of water conservation efforts on Federal reclamation projects. Such feasibility investigations shall include, but not be limited to—

"(1) an analysis of the technical, environmental, and economic feasibility of reducing the amount of water diverted upstream of such Federal hydroelectric power generation facilities by Federal reclamation projects;

"(2) an estimate of the reduction, if any, of project power consumed as a result of the decreased amount of diversion;

"(3) an estimate of the increase in the amount of electrical energy and related revenues which would result from the marketing of such power by the Secretary;

"(4) an estimate of the fish and wildlife benefits which would result from the decreased or modified diversions;

"(5) a finding by the Secretary of the Interior that the activities proposed in the feasibility study can be carried out in accordance with applicable Federal and State law, interstate compacts and the contractual obligations of the Secretary; and

"(6) a finding by the affected Federal Power Marketing Administrator that the hydroelectric component of the proposed water conservation feature is cost-effective and that the affected Administrator is able to market the hydro-electric power expected to be generated.

"(b) Consultation.—In preparing feasibility studies pursuant to this section, the Secretary of the Interior shall consult with, and seek the recommendations of, affected State, local and Indian tribal interests, and shall provide for appropriate public comment.

"(c) Authorization.—There is hereby authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of the Interior such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section."

Projects on Fresh Waters in State of Hawaii

Pub. L. 102–486, title XXIV, §2408, Oct. 24, 1992, 106 Stat. 3100, directed Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, in consultation with State of Hawaii, to carry out study of hydroelectric licensing in State of Hawaii for purposes of considering whether such licensing should be transferred to State, and directed Commission to complete study and submit report containing results of study to Congress within 18 months after Oct. 24, 1992.

¹ So in original. The colon probably should be a period.

² So in original. The period probably should be a colon.

§797a. Congressional authorization for permits, licenses, leases, or authorizations for dams, conduits, reservoirs, etc., within national parks or monuments

On and after March 3, 1921, no permit, license, lease, or authorization for dams, conduits, 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 constituted, March 3, 1921, of any national park or national monument shall be granted or made without specific authority of Congress.

(Mar. 3, 1921, ch. 129, 41 Stat. 1353.)

Editorial Notes

Codification

Provisions repealing so much of this chapter "as authorizes licensing such uses of existing national parks and national monuments by the Federal Power Commission" have been omitted.

Section was not enacted as part of the Federal Power Act which generally comprises this chapter.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Construction

Act Aug. 26, 1935, ch. 687, title II, §212, 49 Stat. 847, provided that nothing in this chapter should be construed to repeal or amend the provisions of the act approved Mar. 3, 1921 (41 Stat. 1353) [16 U.S.C. 797a] or the provisions of any other Act relating to national parks and national monuments. See note preceding section 791 of this title.

§797b. Duty to keep Congress fully and currently informed

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission shall keep the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the United States House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the United States Senate fully and currently informed regarding actions of the Commission with respect to the provisions of Part I of the Federal Power Act [16 U.S.C. 791a et seq.].

(Pub. L. 99–495, §16, Oct. 16, 1986, 100 Stat. 1259.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The Federal Power Act, referred to in text, is act June 10, 1920, ch. 285, 41 Stat. 1063. Part I of the Federal Power Act is classified generally to this subchapter (§791a et seq.). For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see section 791a of this title and Tables.

Codification

Section was enacted as part of the Electric Consumers Protection Act of 1986, and not as part of the Federal Power Act which generally comprises this chapter.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Change of Name

Committee on Energy and Commerce of House of Representatives treated as referring to Committee on Commerce of House of Representatives by section 1(a) of Pub. L. 104–14, set out as a note preceding section 21 of Title 2, The Congress. Committee on Commerce of House of Representatives changed to Committee on Energy and Commerce of House of Representatives, and jurisdiction over matters relating to securities and exchanges and insurance generally transferred to Committee on Financial Services of House of Representatives by House Resolution No. 5, One Hundred Seventh Congress, Jan. 3, 2001.

§797c. Dams in National Park System units

After October 24, 1992, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission may not issue an original license under Part I of the Federal Power Act [16 U.S.C. 791a et seq.] (nor an exemption from such Part) for any new hydroelectric power project located within the boundaries of any unit of the National Park System that would have a direct adverse effect on Federal lands within any such unit. Nothing in this section shall be construed as repealing any existing provision of law (or affecting any treaty) explicitly authorizing a hydroelectric power project.

(Pub. L. 102–486, title XXIV, §2402, Oct. 24, 1992, 106 Stat. 3097.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The Federal Power Act, referred to in text, is act June 10, 1920, ch. 285, 41 Stat. 1063. Part I of the Act is classified generally to this subchapter (§791a et seq.). For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see section 791a of this title and Tables.

Codification

Section was enacted as part of the Energy Policy Act of 1992, and not as part of the Federal Power Act which generally comprises this chapter.

§797d. Third party contracting by FERC

(a) Environmental impact statements

Where the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is required to prepare a draft or final environmental impact statement under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 and following) in connection with an application for a license under part I of the Federal Power Act [16 U.S.C. 791a et seq.], the Commission may permit, at the election of the applicant, a contractor, consultant or other person funded by the applicant and chosen by the Commission from among a list of such individuals or companies determined by the Commission to be qualified to do such work, to prepare such statement for the Commission. The contractor shall execute a disclosure statement prepared by the Commission specifying that it has no financial or other interest in the outcome of the project. The Commission shall establish the scope of work and procedures to assure that the contractor, consultant or other person has no financial or other potential conflict of interest in the outcome of the proceeding. Nothing herein shall affect the Commission's responsibility to comply with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969.

(b) Environmental assessments

Where an environmental assessment is required under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 and following) in connection with an application for a license under part I of the Federal Power Act [16 U.S.C. 791a et seq.], the Commission may permit an applicant, or a contractor, consultant or other person selected by the applicant, to prepare such environmental assessment. The Commission shall institute procedures, including pre-application consultations, to advise potential applicants of studies or other information foreseeably required by the Commission. The Commission may allow the filing of such applicant-prepared environmental assessments as part of the application. Nothing herein shall affect the Commission's responsibility to comply with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969.

(c) Effective date

This section shall take effect with respect to license applications filed after October 24, 1992.

(Pub. L. 102–486, title XXIV, §2403, Oct. 24, 1992, 106 Stat. 3097.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, referred to in subsecs. (a) and (b), is Pub. L. 91–190, Jan. 1, 1970, 83 Stat. 852, which is classified generally to chapter 55 (§4321 et seq.) of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 4321 of Title 42 and Tables.

The Federal Power Act, referred to in subsecs. (a) and (b), is act June 10, 1920, ch. 285, 41 Stat. 1063. Part I of the Act is classified generally to this subchapter (§791a et seq.). For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see section 791a of this title and Tables.

Codification

Section was enacted as part of the Energy Policy Act of 1992, and not as part of the Federal Power Act which generally comprises this chapter.

§798. Purpose and scope of preliminary permits; transfer and cancellation

(a) Purpose

Each preliminary permit issued under this subchapter shall be for the sole purpose of maintaining priority of application for a license under the terms of this chapter for such period or periods, not exceeding a total of 4 years, as in the discretion of the Commission may be necessary for making examinations and surveys, for preparing maps, plans, specifications, and estimates, and for making financial arrangements.

(b) Extension of period

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 circumstances that warrant the issuance of the additional permit.

(c) Permit conditions

Each such permit shall set forth the conditions under which priority shall be maintained.

(d) Non-transferability and cancellation of permits

Such permits shall not be transferable, and may be canceled by order of the Commission upon failure of permittees to comply with the conditions thereof or for other good cause shown after notice and opportunity for hearing.

(June 10, 1920, ch. 285, pt. I, §5, 41 Stat. 1067; renumbered pt. I and amended, Aug. 26, 1935, ch. 687, title II, §§203, 212, 49 Stat. 841, 847; Pub. L. 113–23, §5, Aug. 9, 2013, 127 Stat. 495; Pub. L. 115–270, title III, §3001(a), Oct. 23, 2018, 132 Stat. 3862.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2018—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 115–270, §3001(a)(1), substituted "4 years" for "three years".

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 115–270, §3001(a)(2), inserted dash after "The Commission may", designated remaining provisions as par. (1), substituted "4 additional years beyond the 4 years" for "2 additional years beyond the 3 years", and added par. (2).

2013—Pub. L. 113–23 designated existing first, second, and third sentences as subsecs. (a), (c), and (d), respectively, and added subsec. (b).

1935—Act Aug. 26, 1935, §203, amended section generally, striking out "and a license issued" at end of second sentence and inserting "or for other good cause shown after notice and opportunity for hearing" in last sentence.

§799. License; duration, conditions, revocation, alteration, or surrender

Licenses under this subchapter shall be issued for a period not exceeding fifty years. Each such license shall be conditioned upon acceptance by the licensee of all of the terms and conditions of this chapter and such further conditions, if any, as the Commission shall prescribe in conformity with this chapter, which said terms and conditions and the acceptance thereof shall be expressed in said license. Licenses may be revoked only for the reasons and in the manner prescribed under the provisions of this chapter, and may be altered or surrendered only upon mutual agreement between the licensee and the Commission after thirty days' public notice.

(June 10, 1920, ch. 285, pt. I, §6, 41 Stat. 1067; renumbered pt. I and amended, Aug. 26, 1935, ch. 687, title II, §§204, 212, 49 Stat. 841, 847; Pub. L. 104–106, div. D, title XLIII, §4321(i)(6), Feb. 10, 1996, 110 Stat. 676; Pub. L. 104–316, title I, §108(a), Oct. 19, 1996, 110 Stat. 3832; Pub. L. 105–192, §2, July 14, 1998, 112 Stat. 625.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1998—Pub. L. 105–192 inserted at end "Licenses may be revoked only for the reasons and in the manner prescribed under the provisions of this chapter, and may be altered or surrendered only upon mutual agreement between the licensee and the Commission after thirty days' public notice."

1996—Pub. L. 104–316 struck out at end "Licenses may be revoked only for the reasons and in the manner prescribed under the provisions of this chapter, and may be altered or surrendered only upon mutual agreement between the licensee and the Commission after thirty days' public notice."

Pub. L. 104–106 struck out at end "Copies of all licenses issued under the provisions of this subchapter and calling for the payment of annual charges shall be deposited with the General Accounting Office, in compliance with section 20 of title 41."

1935—Act Aug. 26, 1935, §204, amended section generally, substituting "thirty days" for "ninety days" in third sentence and inserting last sentence.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1996 Amendment

For effective date and applicability of amendment by Pub. L. 104–106, see section 4401 of Pub. L. 104–106, set out as a note under section 2220 of Title 10, Armed Forces.

§800. Issuance of preliminary permits or licenses

(a) Preference

In issuing preliminary permits hereunder or original 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 which it finds and determines are best adapted to develop, conserve, 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) Development of water resources by United States; reports

Whenever, in the judgment of the Commission, the development of any water resources for public purposes should be undertaken by the United States itself, the Commission shall not approve 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.

(c) Assumption of project by United States after expiration of license

Whenever, after notice and opportunity for hearing, the 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.

(June 10, 1920, ch. 285, pt. I, §7, 41 Stat. 1067; renumbered pt. I and amended, Aug. 26, 1935, ch. 687, title II, §§205, 212, 49 Stat. 842, 847; Pub. L. 90–451, §1, Aug. 3, 1968, 82 Stat. 616; Pub. L. 99–495, §2, Oct. 16, 1986, 100 Stat. 1243; Pub. L. 115–325, title II, §201(a), Dec. 18, 2018, 132 Stat. 4459.)

Editorial Notes

Codification

Additional provisions in the section as enacted by act June 10, 1920, directing the commission to investigate the cost and economic value of the power plant outlined in project numbered 3, House Document numbered 1400, Sixty-second Congress, third session, and also in connection with such project to submit plans and estimates of cost necessary to secure an increased water supply for the District of Columbia, have been omitted as temporary and executed.

Amendments

2018—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 115–325 substituted "States, Indian tribes, and municipalities" for "States and municipalities".

1986—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 99–495 inserted "original" after "hereunder or" and substituted "issued," for "issued and in issuing licenses to new licensees under section 808 of this title".

1968—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 90–451 added subsec. (c).

1935—Act Aug. 26, 1935, §205, amended section generally, striking out "navigation and" before "water resources" wherever appearing, and designating paragraphs as subsecs. (a) and (b).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1986 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 99–495 effective with respect to each license, permit, or exemption issued under this chapter after Oct. 16, 1986, see section 18 of Pub. L. 99–495, set out as a note under section 797 of this title.

Applicability of 2018 Amendment

Pub. L. 115–325, title II, §201(b), Dec. 18, 2018, 132 Stat. 4459, provided that: "The amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall not affect—

"(1) any preliminary permit or original license issued before the date of enactment of the Indian Tribal Energy Development and Self-Determination Act Amendments of 2017 [Dec. 18, 2018]; or

"(2) an application for an original license, if the Commission has issued a notice accepting that application for filing pursuant to section 4.32(d) of title 18, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor regulations), before the date of enactment of the Indian Tribal Energy Development and Self-Determination Act Amendments of 2017."

Definition of Indian Tribe

Pub. L. 115–325, title II, §201(c), Dec. 18, 2018, 132 Stat. 4459, provided that: "For purposes of section 7(a) of the Federal Power Act (16 U.S.C. 800(a)) (as amended by subsection (a)), the term 'Indian tribe' has the meaning given the term in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304)."

§801. Transfer of license; obligations of transferee

No voluntary transfer of any license, or of the rights thereunder granted, shall be made without the written approval of the commission; and any successor or assign of the rights of such licensee, whether by voluntary transfer, judicial sale, foreclosure 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 chapter to the same extent as though such successor or assign were the original licensee under this chapter: Provided, That a mortgage or trust deed or judicial sales made thereunder or under tax sales shall not be deemed voluntary transfers within the meaning of this section.

(June 10, 1920, ch. 285, pt. I, §8, 41 Stat. 1068; renumbered pt. I, Aug. 26, 1935, ch. 687, title II, §212, 49 Stat. 847.)

§802. Information to accompany application for license; landowner notification

(a) Each applicant for a license under this chapter 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 commission 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.

(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 purposes and with respect to the right to engage in the business of developing, transmitting and distributing power, and in any other business necessary to effect the purposes of a license under this chapter.

(3) ¹ Such additional information as the commission may require.

(b) Upon the filing of any application for a license (other than a license under section 808 of this title) 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 governmental agency likely to be interested in or affected by such application.

(June 10, 1920, ch. 285, pt. I, §9, 41 Stat. 1068; renumbered pt. I, Aug. 26, 1935, ch. 687, title II, §212, 49 Stat. 847; Pub. L. 99–495, §14, Oct. 16, 1986, 100 Stat. 1257.)

Editorial Notes

Codification

Former subsec. (c), included in the provisions designated as subsec. (a) by Pub. L. 99–495, has been editorially redesignated as par. (3) of subsec. (a) as the probable intent of Congress.

Amendments

1986—Pub. L. 99–495 designated existing provisions as subsec. (a), redesignated former subsecs. (a) and (b) as pars. (1) and (2) of subsec. (a), and added subsec. (b).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1986 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 99–495 effective with respect to each license, permit, or exemption issued under this chapter after Oct. 16, 1986, see section 18 of Pub. L. 99–495, set out as a note under section 797 of this title.

¹ See Codification note below.

§803. Conditions of license generally

All licenses issued under this subchapter shall be on the following conditions:

(a) Modification of plans; factors considered to secure adaptability of project; recommendations for proposed terms and conditions

(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 developing a waterway or waterways for the use or benefit of interstate or foreign commerce, for the improvement and utilization of water-power 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 797(e) of this title ¹ if necessary in order to secure 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, developing, 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, irrigation, 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.

(C) In the case of a State or municipal applicant, or an applicant which is primarily engaged in the generation or sale of electric power (other than electric power solely from cogeneration facilities or small power production facilities), the electricity consumption efficiency improvement program of the applicant, including its plans, performance and capabilities for encouraging or assisting its customers to conserve electricity cost-effectively, taking into account the published policies, restrictions, and requirements of relevant State regulatory authorities 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 proposed terms and conditions for the Commission's consideration for inclusion in the license.

(b) Alterations in project works

That except when emergency shall require for the protection of navigation, life, health, or property, no substantial alteration 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 without the prior approval of the Commission; and any emergency alteration or addition so made shall thereafter be subject to such modification and change as the Commission may direct.

(c) Maintenance and repair of project works; liability of licensee for damages

That the licensee shall maintain the project works in a condition of repair adequate for the purposes of navigation and for the efficient operation of said works in the development and transmission of power, shall make all necessary renewals and replacements, 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 regulations 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) Amortization reserves

That after the first twenty years of operation, out of surplus earned thereafter, if any, accumulated in excess of a specified reasonable 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 discretion 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 808 of this title, the amortization reserves under this subsection shall be maintained on and after the effective date of such new license.

(e) Annual charges payable by licensees; maximum rates; application; review and report to Congress

(1) That the licensee shall pay to the United States reasonable 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 subchapter, including any reasonable and necessary costs incurred by Federal and State fish and wildlife agencies and other natural and cultural resource agencies in connection with studies or other reviews carried out by such agencies for purposes of administering their responsibilities under this subchapter; for 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, subject 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 available 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 licenses 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 approval 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 jurisdiction of such lands as provided in section 5123 of title 25, 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 thereafter 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 without charge to the extent such power is sold to the public without profit or is used by such State or municipality for State or municipal purposes, except that as to projects constructed or to be constructed 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 distribution of power for domestic, mining, or other beneficial use in projects of not more than two thousand horsepower installed capacity may be issued without charge, except on tribal lands within Indian 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 license shall be such as determined by the Commission: Provided however, That no charge shall be assessed for the use of any Government 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 control, possession, and ownership of the licensee concerned.

(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.

(C) The contract is an amendatory, supplemental and replacement 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 referred 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 subsequent 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 kilowatt-hour for the first 40 gigawatt-hours of energy a project produces in any year, 1½ 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 October 16, 1986; and

(B) all licenses issued before October 16, 1986, which—

(i) did not fix a specific charge for the use of the Government 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 appropriateness of the annual charge limitations provided for in this subsection and report to Congress concerning its recommendations thereon.

(f) Reimbursement by licensee of other licensees, etc.

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 improvement, 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 assessed shall be paid into the Treasury of the United States, to be reserved and appropriated as a part of the special fund for headwater improvements as provided in section 810 of this title.

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 reasonable 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) Conditions in discretion of commission

Such other conditions not inconsistent with the provisions of this chapter as the commission may require.

(h) Monopolistic combinations; prevention or minimization of anticompetitive conduct; action by Commission regarding license and operation and maintenance of project

(1) Combinations, agreements, arrangements, or understandings, express or implied, to limit the output of electrical energy, 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 contravention of the policies expressed in the antitrust laws; and (B) is not otherwise justified by the public interest considering regulatory policies expressed in other applicable law (including but not limited to those contained in subchapter II of this chapter) shall be prevented or adequately minimized by means of conditions included in the license 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 provide thereafter for the operation and maintenance of the affected project and for the issuing of a new license in accordance with section 808 of this title.

(i) Waiver of conditions

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 discretion waive such conditions, provisions, and requirements of this subchapter, 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 provisions hereof shall not apply to annual charges for use of lands within Indian reservations.

(j) Fish and wildlife protection, mitigation and enhancement; consideration of recommendations; findings

(1) That in order to adequately and equitably protect, mitigate damages to, and enhance, fish and wildlife (including related spawning grounds and habitat) affected by the development, operation, and management of the project, each license issued under this subchapter 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 Service, and State fish and wildlife agencies.

(2) Whenever the Commission believes that any recommendation referred to in paragraph (1) may be inconsistent with the purposes and requirements of this subchapter or other applicable law, the Commission and the agencies referred to in paragraph (1) shall attempt 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 whole or in part a recommendation of any such agency, the Commission 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 inconsistent with the purposes and requirements of this subchapter or with other applicable provisions of law.

(B) A finding that the conditions selected by the Commission comply with the requirements of paragraph (1).

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

(June 10, 1920, ch. 285, pt. I, §10, 41 Stat. 1068; renumbered pt. I and amended, Aug. 26, 1935, ch. 687, title II, §§206, 212, 49 Stat. 842, 847; Pub. L. 87–647, Sept. 7, 1962, 76 Stat. 447; Pub. L. 90–451, §4, Aug. 3, 1968, 82 Stat. 617; Pub. L. 99–495, §§3(b), (c), 9(a), 13, Oct. 16, 1986, 100 Stat. 1243, 1244, 1252, 1257; Pub. L. 99–546, title IV, §401, Oct. 27, 1986, 100 Stat. 3056; Pub. L. 102–486, title XVII, §1701(a), Oct. 24, 1992, 106 Stat. 3008.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, referred to in subsec. (j)(1), is act Mar. 10, 1934, ch. 55, 48 Stat. 401, which is classified generally to sections 661 to 666c–1 of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see section 661(a) of this title, Short Title note set out under section 661 of this title, and Tables.

Amendments

1992—Subsec. (e)(1). Pub. L. 102–486, in introductory provisions, substituted "administration of this subchapter, including any reasonable and necessary costs incurred by Federal and State fish and wildlife agencies and other natural and cultural resource agencies in connection with studies or other reviews carried out by such agencies for purposes of administering their responsibilities under this subchapter;" for "administration of this subchapter;" and inserted "Provided, That, subject 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 available 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:" after "as conditions may require:".

1986—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 99–495, §3(b), designated existing provisions as par. (1), inserted "for the adequate protection, mitigation, and enhancement of fish and wildlife (including related spawning grounds and habitat)," after "water-power development", inserted "irrigation, flood control, water supply, and" after "including", which words were inserted after "public uses, including" as the probable intent of Congress, substituted "and other purposes referred to in section 797(e) of this title" for "purposes; and", and added pars. (2) and (3).

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 99–546 inserted proviso that no charge be assessed for use of Government dam or structure by licensee if, before Jan. 1, 1985, licensee and Secretary entered into contract which met requirements of date of license, powerplant construction, ownership, and revenue, etc.

Pub. L. 99–495, §9(a), designated existing provisions as par. (1) and added pars. (2) to (4).

Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 99–495, §13, designated existing provisions as par. (1) and added par. (2).

Subsec. (j). Pub. L. 99–495, §3(c), added subsec. (j).

1968—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 90–451 provided for maintenance of amortization reserves on and after effective date of new licenses.

1962—Subsecs. (b), (e), (i). Pub. L. 87–647 substituted "two thousand horsepower" for "one hundred horsepower".

1935—Subsec. (a). Act Aug. 26, 1935, §206, substituted "plan for improving or developing a waterway or waterways for the use or benefit of interstate or foreign commerce, for the improvement and utilization of water-power development, and for other beneficial uses, including recreational purposes" for "scheme of improvement and utilization for the purposes of navigation, of water-power development, and of other beneficial public uses," and "such plan" for "such scheme".

Subsec. (b). Act Aug. 26, 1935, §206, inserted "installed" before "capacity".

Subsec. (d). Act Aug. 26, 1935, §206, substituted "net investment" for "actual, legitimate investment".

Subsec. (e). Act Aug. 26, 1935, §206, amended subsec. (e) generally.

Subsec. (f). Act Aug. 26, 1935, §206, inserted last sentence to first par., and inserted last par.

Subsec. (i). Act Aug. 26, 1935, §206, inserted "installed" before "capacity", and "annual charges for use of" before "lands" in proviso.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1986 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 99–495 effective with respect to each license, permit, or exemption issued under this chapter after Oct. 16, 1986, see section 18 of Pub. L. 99–495, set out as a note under section 797 of this title.

Savings Provision

Pub. L. 99–495, §9(b), Oct. 16, 1986, 100 Stat. 1252, provided that: "Nothing in this Act [see Short Title of 1986 Amendment note set out under section 791a of this title] shall affect any annual charge to be paid pursuant to section 10(e) of the Federal Power Act [16 U.S.C. 803(e)] to Indian tribes for the use of their lands within Indian reservations."

Termination of Reporting Requirements

For termination, effective May 15, 2000, of provisions in subsec. (e)(4) of this section relating to reporting recommendations to Congress every 5 years, see section 3003 of Pub. L. 104–66, as amended, set out as a note under section 1113 of Title 31, Money and Finance, and page 91 of House Document No. 103–7.

Obligation for Payment of Annual Charges

Pub. L. 115–270, title III, §3001(c), Oct. 23, 2018, 132 Stat. 3862, provided that: "Any obligation of a licensee or exemptee for the payment of annual charges under section 10(e) of the Federal Power Act (16 U.S.C. 803(e)) for a project that has not commenced construction as of the date of enactment of this Act [Oct. 23, 2018] shall commence not earlier than the latest of—

"(1) the date by which the licensee or exemptee is required to commence construction; or

"(2) the date of any extension of the deadline under paragraph (1)."

¹ So in original. Probably should be followed by "; and".

§804. Project works affecting navigable waters; requirements insertable in license

If the dam or other project works are to be constructed 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 navigation facilities.

(c) That such licensee shall furnish free of cost to the United States power for the operation of such navigation facilities, whether constructed by the licensee or by the United States.

(June 10, 1920, ch. 285, pt. I, §11, 41 Stat. 1070; renumbered pt. I, Aug. 26, 1935, ch. 687, title II, §212, 49 Stat. 847; July 26, 1947, ch. 343, title II, §205(a), 61 Stat. 501.)

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Change of Name

Department of War designated Department of the Army and title of Secretary of War changed to Secretary of the Army by section 205(a) of act July 26, 1947, ch. 343, title II, 61 Stat. 501. Section 205(a) of act July 26, 1947, was repealed by section 53 of act Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 641. Section 1 of act Aug. 10, 1956, enacted "Title 10, Armed Forces" which in sections 3010 to 3013 continued military Department of the Army under administrative supervision of Secretary of the Army.

§805. Participation by Government in costs of locks, etc.

Whenever application is filed for a project hereunder involving navigable waters of the United States, and the commission shall find upon investigation that the needs of navigation require the construction of a lock or locks or other navigation structures, and that such structures cannot, consistent with a reasonable investment cost to the applicant, be provided in the manner specified in subsection (a) of section 804 of this title, the commission may grant the application with the provision to be expressed in the license that the licensee will install the necessary navigation structures 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 concerning the participation of the United States in the cost of construction of such navigation structures.

(June 10, 1920, ch. 285, pt. I, §12, 41 Stat. 1070; renumbered pt. I, Aug. 26, 1935, ch. 687, title II, §212, 49 Stat. 847.)

§806. Time limit for construction of project works; extension of time; termination or revocation of licenses for delay

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 commission shall deem necessary to supply the reasonable needs of the then available market, and shall from time to time thereafter construct such portion of the balance of such development as the commission may direct, so as to supply adequately the reasonable market demands until such development shall have been completed. The periods for the commencement of construction may be extended for not more than 8 additional years, and the period for the completion of construction carried on in good faith and with reasonable diligence may be extended by the commission when not incompatible with the public interests. In case the licensee shall not commence actual construction of the project works, or of any specified part thereof, within the time prescribed in the license or as extended 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, has been begun but not completed within the time prescribed in the license, or as extended by the commission, then the Attorney General, upon the request 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 820 of this title.

(June 10, 1920, ch. 285, pt. I, §13, 41 Stat. 1071; renumbered pt. I, Aug. 26, 1935, ch. 687, title II, §212, 49 Stat. 847; amended Pub. L. 115–270, title III, §3001(b), Oct. 23, 2018, 132 Stat. 3862.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Proceedings in equity, referred to in text, were abolished by the adoption of rule 2 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, set out in the Appendix to Title 28, Judiciary and Judicial Procedure, which provided that "there shall be one form of action to be known as 'civil action' ".

Amendments

2018—Pub. L. 115–270 substituted "for not more than 8 additional years," for "once but not longer than two additional years" in second sentence.

§807. Right of Government to take over project works

(a) Compensation; condemnation by Federal or State Government

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 section 796 of this title, 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 serviceable 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 navigation 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 lands, rights-of-way, or other property of the United States licensed by the Commission under this chapter, 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 excess 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 chapter at any time by condemnation proceedings upon payment of just compensation is expressly reserved.

(b) Relicensing proceedings; Federal agency recommendations of take over by Government; stay of orders for new licenses; termination of stay; notice to Congress

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. Thereafter, the Commission, if its ¹ does not itself recommend such action pursuant to the provisions of section 800(c) of this title, 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 808(a) of this title, 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 department or agency requesting the stay or by action of Congress. The Commission shall notify the Congress of any stay granted pursuant to this subsection.

(June 10, 1920, ch. 285, pt. I, §14, 41 Stat. 1071; renumbered pt. I and amended, Aug. 26, 1935, ch. 687, title II, §§207, 212, 49 Stat. 844, 847; Pub. L. 90–451, §2, Aug. 3, 1968, 82 Stat. 617; Pub. L. 99–495, §4(b)(2), Oct. 16, 1986, 100 Stat. 1248.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1986—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 99–495 struck out first sentence which read as follows: "No earlier than five years before the expiration of any license, the Commission shall entertain applications for a new license and decide them in a relicensing proceeding pursuant to the provisions of section 808 of this title."

1968—Pub. L. 90–451 designated existing provisions as subsec. (a) and added subsec. (b).

1935—Act Aug. 26, 1935, §207, amended section generally.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1986 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 99–495 effective with respect to each license, permit, or exemption issued under this chapter after Oct. 16, 1986, see section 18 of Pub. L. 99–495, set out as a note under section 797 of this title.

¹ So in original. Probably should be "it".

§808. New licenses and renewals

(a) Relicensing procedures; terms and conditions; issuance to applicant with proposal best adapted to serve public interest; factors considered

(1) If the United States does not, at the expiration of the existing license, exercise its right to take over, maintain, and operate any project or projects of the licensee, as provided in section 807 of this title, 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 conditions 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 contracts as the United States is required to do in the manner specified in section 807 of this title: 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 licensee, 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 insignificant differences with regard to subparagraphs (A) through (G) of this paragraph between competing applications are not determinative and shall not result in the transfer of a project. In 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 803 of this title, consider (and explain such consideration in writing) each of the following:

(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 subchapter.

(B) The plans of the applicant to manage, operate, and maintain the project safely.

(C) The plans and abilities of the applicant to operate and maintain the project in a manner most likely to provide efficient 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 operations, the effect on the operation and efficiency of such facility or related operations, its workers, and the related community. In the case of an applicant that is an Indian tribe applying 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 relevant, 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 management of the project shall be determined in accordance with section 803 of this title, and the plans of an applicant concerning fish and wildlife 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) Notification of intention regarding renewal; public availability of documents; notice to public and Federal agencies; identification of Federal or Indian lands included; additional information required

(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.

(2) At the time notice is provided under paragraph (1), the existing licensee shall make each of the following reasonably available to the public for inspection at the offices of such licensee: current maps, drawings, data, and such other information as the Commission shall, by rule, require regarding the construction and operation of the licensed project. Such information shall include, to the greatest extent practicable pertinent energy conservation, recreation, fish and wildlife, and other environmental information. Copies of the information shall be made available at reasonable costs of reproduction. Within 180 days after October 16, 1986, the Commission shall promulgate 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 license. The Commission shall also promptly notify the National Marine 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 subchapter for such lands, and to provide such additional information as the Commission deems appropriate to carry out the Commission's responsibilities under this section.

(c) Time of filing application; consultation and participation in studies with fish and wildlife agencies; notice to applicants; adjustment of time periods

(1) Each application for a new license pursuant to this section 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 subsection (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 expeditious 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 subsection (b) shall be adjusted, in a manner that achieves the objectives of this section, by the Commission by rule or order with respect to existing licensees who, by reason of the expiration dates of their licenses, are unable to comply with a specified time period.

(d) Adequacy of transmission facilities; provision of services to successor by existing licensee; tariff; final order; modification, extension or termination of order

(1) In evaluating applications for new licenses pursuant to this section, the Commission shall not consider whether an applicant 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 existing 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 services and the costs demonstrated by the existing licensee as being related to the provision of such services. It is the intent of the Congress that such negotiations be carried out in good faith and that a timely agreement be reached between the parties in order to facilitate the transfer of the license by the date established when the Commission issued the new license. If such parties do not notify the Commission that within the time established by the Commission in such notice (and if appropriate, in the judgment of the Commission, one 45-day extension thereof), a mutually satisfactory arrangement for such services that is consistent with the provisions of this chapter has been executed, the Commission shall order the existing licensee to file (pursuant to section 824d of this title) with the Commission a tariff, subject to refund, ensuring such services beginning 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 824d of this title 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 subchapter, except that in issuing such order the Commission—

(A) shall not compel the existing licensee to enlarge generating facilities, transmit electric energy other than to the distribution system (providing service to customers) of the new licensee identified as of the date one day preceding the date of license award, or require the acquisition of new facilities, including the upgrading of existing facilities other than any reasonable enhancement or improvement of existing facilities controlled by the existing licensee (including any acquisition related 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;

(C) shall not adversely affect the operational integrity of 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 licensee to provide transmission or other services.

Such order shall be for such period as the Commission deems appropriate, 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) License term on relicensing

Except for an annual license, any license issued by the Commission under this section shall be for a term which the Commission determines to be in the public interest but not less than 30 years, nor more than 50 years, from the date on which the license is issued.

(f) Nonpower use licenses; recordkeeping

In issuing any licenses 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 project should no longer be used or adapted for use for power purposes, 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 possession 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 807 of this title. Any license for nonpower use shall be a temporary license. Whenever, in the judgment of the Commission, a State, municipality, interstate agency, or another Federal agency is authorized and willing to assume regulatory supervision of the lands and facilities included under the nonpower license and does so, the Commission shall thereupon terminate the license. Consistent with the provisions of subchapter IV of this chapter, 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 appropriate.

(June 10, 1920, ch. 285, pt. I, §15, 41 Stat. 1072; renumbered pt. I, Aug. 26, 1935, ch. 687, title II, §212, 49 Stat. 847; Pub. L. 90–451, §3, Aug. 3, 1968, 82 Stat. 617; Pub. L. 99–495, §§4(a), (b)(1), 5, Oct. 16, 1986, 100 Stat. 1245, 1248.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1986—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 99–495, §4(a), (b)(1), designated existing provisions as par. (1), substituted "existing" for "original" wherever appearing, and added pars. (2) and (3).

Subsecs. (b) to (f). Pub. L. 99–495, §§4(a), 5, added subsecs. (b) to (e) and redesignated former subsec. (b) as (f).

1968—Pub. L. 90–451 designated existing provisions as subsec. (a) and added subsec. (b).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1986 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 99–495 effective with respect to each license, permit, or exemption issued under this chapter after Oct. 16, 1986, see section 18 of Pub. L. 99–495, set out as a note under section 797 of this title.

§809. Temporary use by Government of project works for national safety; compensation for use

When in the opinion of the President of the United States, evidenced by a written order addressed to the holder of any license under this chapter, 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 nitrates, explosives, or munitions of war, or for any other purpose involving the safety of the United States, to retain possession, management, 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 entitled 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 condition as existed at the time of the taking over thereof, less the reasonable value of any improvements that may be made thereto by the United States and which are valuable and serviceable to the licensee.

(June 10, 1920, ch. 285, pt. I, §16, 41 Stat. 1072; renumbered pt. I, Aug. 26, 1935, ch. 687, title II, §212, 49 Stat. 847.)

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Termination of War and Emergencies

Joint Res. July 25, 1947, ch. 327, §3, 61 Stat. 451, provided that in the interpretation of this section, the date July 25, 1947, shall be deemed to be the date of termination of any state of war theretofore declared by Congress and of the national emergencies proclaimed by the President on September 8, 1939, and May 27, 1941.

§810. Disposition of charges arising from licenses

(a) Receipts from charges

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 costs of administration of this subchapter, shall be paid into the Treasury of the United States, subject to the following distribution: 12½ per centum thereof is hereby appropriated to be paid into the Treasury of the United States and credited to "Miscellaneous receipts"; 50 per centum of the charges arising from licenses hereunder for the occupancy and use of public lands and national forests shall be paid into, reserved, and appropriated as a part of the reclamation fund created by the Act of Congress known as the Reclamation Act, approved June 17, 1902; and 37½ 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 Treasury to such State; and 50 per centum of the charges arising from all other licenses hereunder is 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 reimbursing the United States for the costs of the administration of this subchapter shall be paid into the Treasury of the United States and credited to miscellaneous receipts.

(b) Delinquent payments

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 accordance with law.

(June 10, 1920, ch. 285, pt. I, §17, 41 Stat. 1072; renumbered pt. I and amended, Aug. 26, 1935, ch. 687, title II, §§208, 212, 49 Stat. 845, 847; July 26, 1947, ch. 343, title II, §205(a), 61 Stat. 501.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The Act of Congress known as the Reclamation Act, approved June 17, 1902, referred to in subsec. (a), probably means act June 17, 1902, ch. 1093, 32 Stat. 388, which is classified generally to chapter 12 (§371 et seq.) of Title 43, Public Lands. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 371 of Title 43 and Tables. The reclamation fund created by that Act was established by section 391 of Title 43.

Amendments

1935—Act Aug. 26, 1935, §208, amended section generally, designating existing provisions as subsec. (a), inserting "except charges fixed by the Commission for the purpose of reimbursing the United States for the costs of administration of this Part,", substituting "national forests" for "national monuments, national forests, and national parks" wherever appearing, inserting last sentence relating to payment of proceeds of charges into Treasury, and adding subsec. (b).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Change of Name

Department of War designated Department of the Army and title of Secretary of War changed to Secretary of the Army by section 205(a) of act July 26, 1947, ch. 343, title II, 61 Stat. 501. Section 205(a) of act July 26, 1947, was repealed by section 53 of act Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 641. Section 1 of act Aug. 10, 1956, enacted "Title 10, Armed Forces" which in sections 3010 to 3013 continued military Department of the Army under administrative supervision of Secretary of the Army.

§811. Operation of navigation facilities; rules and regulations; penalties

The Commission shall require 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. 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 subsection ¹ and within the time frame established by the Commission for each license proceeding. Within 90 days of August 8, 2005, the Secretaries of the Interior, Commerce, and Agriculture shall establish jointly, by rule, the procedures for such expedited trial-type hearing, including the opportunity 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 chapter, whether at the expense of a licensee hereunder or of the United States, shall at all times be controlled 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 a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof shall be punished as provided in section 825o of this title.

(June 10, 1920, ch. 285, pt. I, §18, 41 Stat. 1073; renumbered pt. I and amended, Aug. 26, 1935, ch. 687, title II, §§209, 212, 49 Stat. 845, 847; 1939 Reorg. Plan No. II, §4(e), eff. July 1, 1939, 4 F.R. 2731, 53 Stat. 1433; July 26, 1947, ch. 343, title II, §205(a), 61 Stat. 501; June 4, 1956, ch. 351, §2, 70 Stat. 226; 1970 Reorg. Plan No. 4, eff. Oct. 3, 1970, 35 F.R. 15627, 84 Stat. 2090; Pub. L. 109–58, title II, §241(b), Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 674.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2005—Pub. L. 109–58 inserted after first sentence "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 subsection and within the time frame established by the Commission for each license proceeding. Within 90 days of August 8, 2005, the Secretaries of the Interior, Commerce, and Agriculture shall establish jointly, by rule, the procedures for such expedited trial-type hearing, including the opportunity to undertake discovery and cross-examine witnesses, in consultation with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission."

1956—Act June 4, 1956, substituted "Secretary of the Department in which the Coast Guard is operating" for "Secretary of War" in first sentence.

1935—Act Aug. 26, 1935, §209, amended section generally, inserting first sentence, striking out "Such rules and regulations may include the maintenance and operation of such licensee at its own expense of such lights and signals as may be directed by the Secretary of War, and such fishways as may be prescribed by the Secretary of Commerce.", and substituting section "825o" for section "819".

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Change of Name

Department of War designated Department of the Army and title of Secretary of War changed to Secretary of the Army by section 205(a) of act July 26, 1947, ch. 343, title II, 61 Stat. 501. Section 205(a) of act July 26, 1947, was repealed by section 53 of act Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 641. Section 1 of act Aug. 10, 1956, enacted "Title 10, Armed Forces" which in sections 3010 to 3013 continued military Department of the Army under administrative supervision of Secretary of the Army.

Transfer of Functions

For transfer of authorities, functions, personnel, and assets of the Coast Guard, including the authorities and functions of the Secretary of Transportation relating thereto, to the Department of Homeland Security, and for treatment of related references, see sections 468(b), 551(d), 552(d), and 557 of Title 6, Domestic Security, and the Department of Homeland Security Reorganization Plan of November 25, 2002, as modified, set out as a note under section 542 of Title 6.

Coast Guard transferred to Department of Transportation and all functions, powers, and duties, relating to Coast Guard, of Secretary of the Treasury and of other offices and officers of Department of the Treasury transferred to Secretary of Transportation by section 6(b)(1) of Pub. L. 89–670, Oct. 15, 1966, 80 Stat. 938. See Section 108 of Title 49, Transportation.

Clarification of Authority Regarding Fishways

Pub. L. 102–486, title XVII, §1701(b), Oct. 24, 1992, 106 Stat. 3008, provided that: "The definition of the term 'fishway' contained in 18 C.F.R. 4.30(b)(9)(iii), as in effect on the date of enactment of this Act [Oct. 24, 1992], is vacated without prejudice to any definition or interpretation by rule of the term 'fishway' by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for purposes of implementing section 18 of the Federal Power Act [16 U.S.C. 811]: Provided, That any future definition promulgated by regulatory rulemaking shall have no force or effect unless concurred in by the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Commerce: Provided further, That the items which may constitute a 'fishway' under section 18 for the safe and timely upstream and downstream passage of fish shall be limited to physical structures, facilities, or devices necessary to maintain all life stages of such fish, and project operations and measures related to such structures, facilities, or devices which are necessary to ensure the effectiveness of such structures, facilities, or devices for such fish."

Executive Documents

Transfer of Functions

Reference to Secretary of Commerce inserted in view of: creation of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in Department of Commerce and Office of Administrator of such Administration; abolition of Bureau of Commercial Fisheries in Department of the Interior and Office of Director of such Bureau; transfers of functions, including functions formerly vested by law in Secretary of the Interior or Department of the Interior which were administered through Bureau of Commercial Fisheries or were primarily related to such Bureau, exclusive of certain enumerated functions with respect to Great Lakes fishery research, Missouri River Reservoir research, Gulf Breeze Biological Laboratory, and Trans-Alaska pipeline investigations; and transfer of marine sport fish program of Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife by Reorg. Plan No. 4 of 1970, eff. Oct. 3, 1970, 35 F.R. 15627, 84 Stat. 2090, set out in the Appendix to Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.

Reorg. Plan No. II of 1939, set out in the Appendix to Title 5, Government Organization and Employees, transferred Bureau of Fisheries in Department of Commerce and its functions to Department of the Interior, to be administered under direction and supervision of Secretary of the Interior.

¹ So in original. Probably should be "section".

§812. Public-service licensee; regulations by State or by commission as to service, rates, charges, etc.

As a condition of the license, every licensee under this chapter which is a public-service corporation, or a person, association, or corporation owning or operating any project and developing, 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 prescribed by any duly constituted agency of the State in which the service is rendered or the rate charged. That in case of the development, transmission, or distribution, or use in public service of power by any licensee under this chapter or by its customer engaged in public service within a State which has not authorized and empowered 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 securities to be issued by any of said parties, it is agreed as a condition of such license that jurisdiction is conferred upon the commission, 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 matter 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.

(June 10, 1920, ch. 285, pt. I, §19, 41 Stat. 1073; renumbered pt. I, Aug. 26, 1935, ch. 687, title II, §212, 49 Stat. 847.)

§813. Power entering into interstate commerce; regulation of rates, charges, etc.

When said power or any part thereof shall enter into interstate or foreign commerce the rates charged and the service 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 purchasing 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 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 securities to be issued by any of said parties, jurisdiction is conferred upon the commission, upon complaint of any person, aggrieved, 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 commerce and to regulate the issuance of securities by the parties included 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 fixing and regulating the rates, charges, and practices of railroad companies as provided in subtitle IV of title 49, and the parties subject to such regulation shall have the same rights of hearing, defense, and review 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 license in excess of the value or values prescribed in section 807 of this title 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 expenditures required by the United States, and no value shall be claimed or allowed for the rights granted by the commission or by this chapter.

(June 10, 1920, ch. 285, pt. I, §20, 41 Stat. 1073; renumbered pt. I, Aug. 26, 1935, ch. 687, title II, §212, 49 Stat. 847.)

Editorial Notes

Codification

"Subtitle IV of title 49" substituted in text for "the Act to regulate commerce, approved February 4, 1887, as amended" on authority of Pub. L. 95–473, §3(b), Oct. 17, 1978, 92 Stat. 1466, the first section of which enacted subtitle IV of Title 49, Transportation.

§814. Exercise by licensee of power of eminent domain

When any licensee cannot 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, maintenance, or operation of any dam, reservoir, diversion structure, or the works appurtenant or accessory thereto, in conjunction with any 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 interstate 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 proceeding 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 exceeds $3,000 ¹ 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 October 24, 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 political 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 October 24, 1992, 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 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 property, that the license will not interfere or be inconsistent with the purposes for which such lands or property are owned.

(June 10, 1920, ch. 285, pt. I, §21, 41 Stat. 1074; renumbered pt. I, Aug. 26, 1935, ch. 687, title II, §212, 49 Stat. 847; Pub. L. 102–486, title XVII, §1701(d), Oct. 24, 1992, 106 Stat. 3009.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1992—Pub. L. 102–486 substituted final proviso and sentence for period at end.

¹ So in original. Probably should be followed by a colon.

§815. Contract to furnish power extending beyond period of license; obligations of new licensee

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 approval 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 commission, and thereafter, in the event of failure to issue a new license 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.

(June 10, 1920, ch. 285, pt. I, §22, 41 Stat. 1074; renumbered pt. I, Aug. 26, 1935, ch. 687, title II, §212, 49 Stat. 847.)

§816. Preservation of rights vested prior to June 10, 1920

The provisions of this subchapter shall not be construed as affecting any permit or valid existing right-of-way granted prior to June 10, 1920, or as confirming or otherwise affecting any claim, or as affecting 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 under this chapter, and upon such application the Commission may issue to any such applicant a license in accordance with the provisions of this subchapter and in such case the provisions of this chapter shall apply to such applicant as a licensee under this chapter: 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 purposes of this subchapter 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.

(June 10, 1920, ch. 285, pt. I, §23(a), 41 Stat. 1075; renumbered pt. I and amended, Aug. 26, 1935, ch. 687, title II, §§210, 212, 49 Stat. 846, 847.)

Editorial Notes

Codification

Section consists of subsec. (a) of section 23 of act June 10, 1920, as so designated by act Aug. 26, 1935. Subsec. (b) of section 23 of act June 10, 1920, is set out as section 817 of this title.

Amendments

1935—Act Aug. 26, 1935, §210, amended section generally, substituting "part" for "chapter" wherever appearing, substituting "heretofore" for "then", and substituting the last sentence for "Such fair value may, in the discretion of the commission, be determined by mutual agreement between the commission and the applicant or, in case they cannot agree, jurisdiction is hereby conferred upon the district court of the United States in the district within which such project or projects may be located, upon the application of either party, to hear and determine the amount of such fair value."

§817. Projects not affecting navigable waters; necessity for Federal license, permit or right-of-way; unauthorized activities

(1) It shall be unlawful for any person, State, or municipality, for the purpose of developing electric power, to construct, operate, 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 public lands or reservations of the United States (including the Territories), or utilize the surplus water or water power from any Government 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 chapter. Any person, association, 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 in this chapter as navigable waters, 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 intention 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 interstate or foreign commerce would be affected by such proposed construction, such person, association, corporation, State, or municipality 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 chapter. If the Commission shall not so find, and if no public lands or reservations are affected, permission is 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 chapter unless such modification is authorized in accordance with terms and conditions of such license or exemption and the applicable requirements of this subchapter. As used in this paragraph, the term "commence" refers to the beginning of physical on-site activity other than surveys or testing.

(June 10, 1920, ch. 285, pt. I, §23(b), 41 Stat. 1075; renumbered pt. I and amended, Aug. 26, 1935, ch. 687, title II, §§210, 212, 49 Stat. 846, 847; Pub. L. 99–495, §6, Oct. 16, 1986, 100 Stat. 1248.)

Editorial Notes

Codification

Section consists of subsec. (b) of section 23 of act June 10, 1920, as so designated by act Aug. 26, 1935. Subsec. (a) of section 23 of act June 10, 1920, is set out as section 816 of this title.

Amendments

1986—Pub. L. 99–495 designated existing provisions as par. (1) and added par. (2).

1935—Act Aug. 26, 1935, §210, amended section generally, inserting first sentence, and substituting "with foreign nations" for "between foreign nations", "shall before such construction" for "may in their discretion" and "shall not construct, maintain, or operate such dam or other project works" for "shall not proceed with such construction".

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1986 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 99–495 applicable to licenses, permits, and exemptions without regard to when issued, see section 18 of Pub. L. 99–495, set out as a note under section 797 of this title.

§818. Public lands included in project; reservation of lands from entry

Any lands of the United States included in any proposed project under the provisions of this subchapter 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 application 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 heretofore or hereafter reserved or classified as power sites, will not be injured or destroyed for the purposes of power development by location, 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 determine, 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 subchapter, 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 subchapter, 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, That locations, entries, selections, or filings heretofore made for lands reserved as water-power sites, or in connection with water-power development, or electrical transmission may proceed to approval or patent under and subject to the limitations and conditions in this section contained: 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 declaration 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 Commission; and any location, entry, or selection of such lands, or subsequent patent thereof, shall be subject to any rights granted the State pursuant to such application.

(June 10, 1920, ch. 285, pt. I, §24, 41 Stat. 1075; renumbered pt. I and amended, Aug. 26, 1935, ch. 687, title II, §§211, 212, 49 Stat. 846, 847; May 28, 1948, ch. 351, 62 Stat. 275.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1948—Act May 28, 1948, inserted second proviso in last sentence so that States may apply for reservations of portions of power sites released for entry, location, or selection to the States for highway purposes.

1935—Act Aug. 26, 1935, §211, amended section generally, inserting "for such purpose or purposes and under such restrictions as the commission may determine", substituted "part" for "chapter" wherever appearing, and striking out from proviso "prior to June 10, 1920" after "made".

§819. Repealed. Aug. 26, 1935, ch. 687, title II, §212, 49 Stat. 847

Section, act June 10, 1920, ch. 285, pt. I, §25, 41 Stat. 1076, related to offenses and punishment. See section 825m et seq. of this title.

§820. Proceedings for revocation of license or to prevent violations of license

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 injunction, mandamus, or other process any act of commission or omission in violation of the provisions of this chapter or of any lawful regulation 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 compliance 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 chapter. 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 entitled 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 licensee 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 807 of this title at the termination of the license.

(June 10, 1920, ch. 285, pt. I, §26, 41 Stat. 1076; renumbered pt. I, Aug. 26, 1935, ch. 687, title II, §212, 49 Stat. 847; July 26, 1947, ch. 343, title II, §205(a), 61 Stat. 501.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Proceedings in equity, referred to in text, were abolished by the adoption of Rule 2 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, set out in the Appendix to Title 28, Judiciary and Judicial Procedure, which provided that "there shall be one form of action to be known as 'civil action' ".

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Change of Name

Department of War designated Department of the Army and title of Secretary of War changed to Secretary of the Army by section 205(a) of act July 26, 1947, ch. 343, title II, 61 Stat. 501. Section 205(a) of act July 26, 1947, was repealed by section 53 of act Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 641. Section 1 of act Aug. 10, 1956, enacted "Title 10, Armed Forces" which in sections 3010 to 3013 continued military Department of the Army under administrative supervision of Secretary of the Army.

§821. State laws and water rights unaffected

Nothing contained in this chapter shall be construed as affecting or intending to affect or in any way to interfere with the 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.

(June 10, 1920, ch. 285, pt. I, §27, 41 Stat. 1077; renumbered pt. I, Aug. 26, 1935, ch. 687, title II, §212, 49 Stat. 847.)

§822. Reservation of right to alter or repeal chapter

The right to alter, amend, or repeal this chapter is expressly reserved; but no such alteration, amendment, or repeal shall affect any license theretofore issued under the provisions of this chapter or the rights of any licensee thereunder.

(June 10, 1920, ch. 285, pt. I, §28, 41 Stat. 1077; renumbered pt. I, Aug. 26, 1935, ch. 687, title II, §212, 49 Stat. 847.)

§823. Repeal of inconsistent laws

All Acts or parts of Acts inconsistent with this chapter are repealed: Provided, That nothing contained herein shall be held or construed to modify or repeal any of the provisions of the Act of Congress approved December 19, 1913, granting certain rights-of-way to the city and county of San Francisco, in the State of California.

(June 10, 1920, ch. 285, pt. I, §29, 41 Stat. 1077; renumbered pt. I, Aug. 26, 1935, ch. 687, title II, §212, 49 Stat. 847.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Herein, referred to in text, means act June 10, 1920, which is classified generally to this chapter.

The Act of Congress approved December 19, 1913, referred to in text, was not classified to the Code.

Codification

As originally enacted, this section contained the further proviso: "That section 18 of an Act making appropriations for the construction, repair and preservation, of certain public works on rivers and harbors, and for other purposes, approved August 8, 1917, is hereby repealed."

§823a. Conduit hydroelectric facilities

(a) Qualifying conduit hydropower facilities

(1) A qualifying conduit hydropower facility shall not be required to be licensed under this subchapter.

(2)(A) Any person, State, or municipality proposing to construct a qualifying conduit hydropower facility shall file with the Commission 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, pursuant to clause (i), that the facility meets the qualifying criteria, publish public notice of the notice of intent filed under subparagraph (A).

(C) If, not later than 30 days after the date of publication of the public notice described in subparagraph (B)(ii)—

(i) an entity contests whether the facility meets the qualifying 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 qualifying criteria, the facility shall be deemed to meet such criteria.

(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 impoundment) that is determined or deemed under paragraph (2)(C) to meet the qualifying criteria.

(C) The term "qualifying criteria" means, with respect to a facility—

(i) the facility is constructed, operated, or maintained for the generation of electric power and uses for such generation 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 August 9, 2013, the facility is not licensed under, or exempted from the license requirements contained in, this subchapter.

(b) Exemption qualifications

Subject to subsection (c), the Commission may grant an exemption in whole or in part from the requirements of this subchapter, including any license requirements contained in this subchapter, to any facility (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 potential of a conduit; and

(2) has an installed capacity that does not exceed 40 megawatts.

(c) Consultation with Federal and State agencies

In making the determination under subsection (b) the Commission shall consult with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service ¹ National Marine Fisheries Service ¹ 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 ¹ National Marine Fisheries Service ¹ and the State agency each determine are appropriate to prevent loss of, or damage to, such resources and to otherwise carry out the purposes 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 included in any such exemption.

(d) Violation of terms of exemption

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 chapter.

(e) Fees for studies

The Commission, in addition to the requirements of section 803(e) of this title, 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 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 transferred to such agencies by the Commission for use solely for purposes of carrying out such studies and shall remain available until expended.

(June 10, 1920, ch. 285, pt. I, §30, as added Pub. L. 95–617, title II, §213, Nov. 9, 1978, 92 Stat. 3148; amended Pub. L. 99–495, §7, Oct. 16, 1986, 100 Stat. 1248; Pub. L. 113–23, §4(a), Aug. 9, 2013, 127 Stat. 494; Pub. L. 115–270, title III, §3002, Oct. 23, 2018, 132 Stat. 3863.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, referred to in subsec. (c), is act Mar. 10, 1934, ch. 55, 48 Stat. 401, which is classified generally to sections 661 to 666c–1 of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see section 661(a) of this title, Short Title note set out under section 661 of this title, and Tables.

Prior Provisions

A prior section 30 of act June 10, 1920, was classified to section 791 of this title, prior to repeal by act Aug. 26, 1935, ch. 687, title II, §212, 49 Stat. 847.

Amendments

2018—Subsec. (a)(2)(C). Pub. L. 115–270, §3002(1), substituted "30 days" for "45 days" in introductory provisions.

Subsec. (a)(3)(C)(ii). Pub. L. 115–270, §3002(2), substituted "40 megawatts" for "5 megawatts".

2013—Subsecs. (a), (b). Pub. L. 113–23, §4(a)(1), added subsecs. (a) and (b) and struck out former subsecs. (a) and (b) which authorized the Commission to grant exemptions from the requirements of this subchapter for certain hydroelectric facilities and prohibited the granting of exemptions to facilities with certain capacities.

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 113–23, §4(a)(2), substituted "subsection (b)" for "subsection (a)" in introductory provisions.

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 113–23, §4(a)(3), substituted "subsection (b)" for "subsection (a)".

1986—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 99–495, §7(a), inserted provision setting the maximum installation capacity for exemptions under subsec. (a) at 40 megawatts in the case of a facility constructed, operated, and maintained by an agency or instrumentality of a State or local government solely for water supply for municipal purposes.

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 99–495, §7(b), which directed the insertion of "National Marine Fisheries Service" after "the Fish and Wildlife Service" in both places such term appears, was executed by inserting "National Marine Fisheries Service" after "the United States Fish and Wildlife Service" and "the Fish and Wildlife Service", as the probable intent of Congress.

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 99–495, §7(c), added subsec. (e).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1986 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 99–495 effective with respect to each license, permit, or exemption issued under this chapter after Oct. 16, 1986, see section 18 of Pub. L. 99–495, set out as a note under section 797 of this title.

Application of Subsection (c)

Pub. L. 99–495, §8(c), Oct. 16, 1986, 100 Stat. 1251, provided that: "Nothing in this Act [see Short Title of 1986 Amendment note set out under section 791a of this title] shall affect the application of section 30(c) of the Federal Power Act [16 U.S.C. 823a(c)] to any exemption issued after the enactment of this Act [Oct. 16, 1986]."

¹ So in original. Probably should be followed by a comma.

§823b. Enforcement

(a) Monitoring and investigation

The Commission shall monitor and investigate compliance with each license and permit issued under this subchapter and with each exemption granted from any requirement of this subchapter. The Commission shall conduct such investigations as may be necessary and proper in accordance with this chapter. After notice and opportunity for public hearing, the Commission may issue such orders as necessary to require compliance with the terms and conditions of licenses and permits issued under this subchapter and with the terms and conditions of exemptions granted from any requirement of this subchapter.

(b) Revocation orders

After notice and opportunity for an evidentiary hearing, the Commission may also issue an order revoking any license issued under this subchapter or any exemption granted from any requirement of this subchapter 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 opportunity 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 consideration the nature and seriousness of the violation and the efforts of the licensee to remedy the violation.

(c) Civil penalty

Any licensee, permittee, or exemptee who violates or fails or refuses to comply with any rule or regulation under this subchapter, any term, or condition of a license, permit, or exemption under this subchapter, 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 continues. Such penalty shall be assessed by the Commission after notice 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 revocation is ordered.

(d) Assessment

(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 paragraph (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 (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 pursuant to section 554 of title 5 before an administrative 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 circuit for judicial review of such order in accordance with chapter 7 of title 5. The court shall have jurisdiction to enter a judgment affirming, modifying, or setting aside in whole or in Part,¹ 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 subparagraph (A), the Commission shall institute an action in the appropriate 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 jurisdiction to enter a judgment enforcing, modifying, and enforcing as so modified, or setting aside in whole or in Part,¹ such assessment.

(C) Any election to have this paragraph apply may not be revoked 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 seriousness 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 paragraph (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 assessment order or judgment shall not be subject to review.

(6)(A) Notwithstanding the provisions of title 28 or of this chapter, 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 supervise, conduct, and argue any civil litigation to which paragraph (3) of this subsection applies (including any related collection action 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 appropriate.

(B) The Commission shall be represented by the Attorney General, or the Solicitor General, as appropriate, in actions under this subsection, except to the extent provided in subparagraph (A) of this paragraph.

(June 10, 1920, ch. 285, pt. I, §31, as added Pub. L. 99–495, §12, Oct. 16, 1986, 100 Stat. 1255.)

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Section applicable to licenses, permits, and exemptions without regard to when issued, see section 18 of Pub. L. 99–495, set out as an Effective Date of 1986 Amendment note under section 797 of this title.

¹ So in original. Probably should not be capitalized.

§823c. Alaska State jurisdiction over small hydroelectric projects

(a) Discontinuance of regulation by the Commission

Notwithstanding sections 797(e) and 817 of this title, the Commission shall discontinue exercising licensing and regulatory authority under this subchapter 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 development that—

(1) protects the public interest, the purposes listed in paragraph (2), and the environment to the same extent provided by licensing and regulation by the Commission under this subchapter and other applicable Federal laws, including the Endangered Species Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) and the Fish and Wildlife 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 enhancement of, fish and wildlife (including related spawning grounds and habitat);

(C) the protection of recreational opportunities;

(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

(C) except as provided in subsection (j), conditions for the protection, mitigation, and enhancement of fish and 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) Definition of "qualifying project works"

For purposes 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 subchapter or section 2705 of this title prior to November 9, 2000;

(2) for which a preliminary permit, a license application, or an application for an exemption from licensing has not been accepted for filing by the Commission prior to November 9, 2000 (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 3102(4) of this title), or segment of a river designated for study for addition to the Wild and Scenic Rivers System.

(c) Election of State licensing

In the case of nonqualifying project works that would be a qualifying project works but for the fact that the project has been licensed (or exempted from licensing) by the Commission prior to November 9, 2000, 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) Project works on Federal lands

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) Consultation with affected agencies

The Commission 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) Application of Federal laws

Nothing in this section shall preempt the application of Federal environmental, natural resources, or cultural resources protection laws according to their terms.

(g) Oversight by the Commission

The State of Alaska shall notify the Commission not later than 30 days after making any significant modification to its regulatory program. The Commission shall periodically review the State's program to ensure compliance with the provisions of this section.

(h) Resumption of Commission authority

Notwithstanding subsection (a), the Commission shall reassert its licensing and regulatory authority under this subchapter if the Commission finds that the State of Alaska has not complied with one or more of the requirements of this section.

(i) Determination by the Commission

(1) Upon application by the Governor of the State of Alaska, the Commission shall within 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 development 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) Fish and wildlife

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 803(j)(2) of this title.

(June 10, 1920, ch. 285, pt. I, §32, as added Pub. L. 106–469, title V, §501, Nov. 9, 2000, 114 Stat. 2037; amended Pub. L. 109–58, title II, §244, Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 678.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The Endangered Species Act, referred to in subsec. (a)(1), probably means the Endangered Species Act of 1973, Pub. L. 93–205, Dec. 28, 1973, 87 Stat. 884, which is classified generally to chapter 35 (§1531 et seq.) of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 1531 of this title and Tables.

The Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, referred to in subsec. (a)(1), (3)(C), is act Mar. 10, 1934, ch. 55, 48 Stat. 401, which is classified generally to sections 661 to 666c–1 of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see section 661(a) of this title, Short Title note set out under section 661 of this title, and Tables.

Amendments

2005—Subsec. (a)(3)(C). Pub. L. 109–58, §244(1), inserted "except as provided in subsection (j)," before "conditions".

Subsec. (j). Pub. L. 109–58, §244(2), added subsec. (j).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Transfer of Functions

For transfer of authorities, functions, personnel, and assets of the Coast Guard, including the authorities and functions of the Secretary of Transportation relating thereto, to the Department of Homeland Security, and for treatment of related references, see sections 468(b), 551(d), 552(d), and 557 of Title 6, Domestic Security, and the Department of Homeland Security Reorganization Plan of November 25, 2002, as modified, set out as a note under section 542 of Title 6.

§823d. Alternative conditions and prescriptions

(a) Alternative conditions

(1) Whenever any person applies 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 subsection as the "Secretary") deems a condition to such license to be necessary under the first proviso of section 797(e) of this title, the license applicant or any other party to the license proceeding may propose an alternative condition.

(2) Notwithstanding the first proviso of section 797(e) of this title, the Secretary 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 Secretary 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 implementation 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 797(e) of this title 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 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 quality); based on such information as may be available to the Secretary, including 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 subchapter, or other applicable law, the Commission may refer the dispute to the Commission'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 proceeding.

(b) Alternative prescriptions

(1) Whenever the Secretary of the Interior or the Secretary of Commerce prescribes a fishway under section 811 of this title, the license applicant or any other party to the license proceeding may propose an alternative to such prescription to construct, maintain, or operate a fishway.

(2) Notwithstanding section 811 of this title, the Secretary of the Interior or the Secretary of Commerce, as appropriate, shall accept and prescribe, and the Commission shall require, the proposed alternative referred to in paragraph (1), if the Secretary of the appropriate department 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—

(A) will be no less protective than the fishway initially prescribed by the Secretary; and

(B) will either, as compared to the fishway initially prescribed 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 Secretary 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 implementation 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 prescription under section 811 of this title or alternative prescription it accepts under this section, a written statement explaining the basis for such prescription, and reason for not accepting any alternative prescription under this section. 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 quality); based on such information as may be available to the Secretary, including 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 prescription would be inconsistent with the purposes of this subchapter, or other applicable law, the Commission may refer the dispute to the Commission'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 fish resources. The Secretary shall submit the advisory and the Secretary's final written determination into the record of the Commission's proceeding.

(June 10, 1920, ch. 285, pt. I, §33, as added Pub. L. 109–58, title II, §241(c), Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 675.)

§823e. Promoting hydropower development at existing nonpowered dams

(a) Expedited licensing process for non-Federal hydropower projects at existing nonpowered dams

(1) In general

As provided in this section, the Commission may issue and amend licenses, as appropriate, for any facility the Commission determines is a qualifying facility.

(2) Rule

Not later than 180 days after October 23, 2018, the Commission shall issue a rule establishing an expedited process for issuing and amending licenses for qualifying facilities under this section.

(3) Interagency 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 Indian tribes represented, to coordinate the regulatory processes associated with the authorizations required to construct 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 Commission and appropriate Federal and State agencies and Indian tribes shall exercise their authorities in a manner that, to the extent practicable, will not result in any material change to the storage, release, or flow operations of the associated nonpowered dam existing at the time an applicant files its license application.

(4) Length 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 license.

(b) Dam safety

(1) Assessment

Before issuing any license for a qualifying facility, the Commission shall assess the safety of existing non-Federal dams and other non-Federal structures related to the qualifying facility (including possible consequences associated with failure of such structures).

(2) Requirements

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.

(c) Interagency communications

Interagency cooperation in the preparation of environmental documents under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) with respect 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 subchapter, providing that any agency participating as a party in a licensing proceeding under this subchapter shall, to the extent practicable, demonstrate a separation of staff cooperating with the Commission under the National Environmental Policy Act ¹ (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and staff participating in the applicable proceeding under this subchapter.

(d) Identification of nonpowered dams for hydropower development

(1) In general

Not later than 12 months after October 23, 2018, the Commission, with the Secretary of the Army, the Secretary of the Interior, and the Secretary of Agriculture, shall jointly develop a list of existing nonpowered Federal dams that the Commission and the Secretaries agree have the greatest potential for non-Federal hydropower development.

(2) Considerations

In developing the list under paragraph (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.

(C) The existence of studies to characterize environmental, cultural, and historic resources relating to the dam.

(D) The effects of hydropower development on release or flow operations of the dam.

(3) Availability

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 Resources, of the Senate; and

(B) make such list available to the public.

(e) Definitions

For purposes of this section:

(1) Qualifying criteria

The term "qualifying criteria" means, with respect to a facility—

(A) as of October 23, 2018, the facility is not licensed under, or exempted from the license requirements contained in, this subchapter;

(B) the facility will be associated with a qualifying nonpowered dam;

(C) the facility will be constructed, operated, and maintained for the generation of electric power;

(D) the facility will use for such generation any withdrawals, diversions, releases, or flows from the associated qualifying nonpowered dam, including its associated impoundment 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) Qualifying facility

The term "qualifying facility" means a facility that is determined under this section to meet the qualifying criteria.

(3) Qualifying nonpowered dam

The term "qualifying nonpowered dam" means any dam, dike, embankment, or other barrier—

(A) the construction of which was completed on or before October 23, 2018;

(B) that is or was operated for the control, release, or distribution of water for agricultural, municipal, navigational, industrial, commercial, environmental, recreational, aesthetic, drinking water, or flood control purposes; and

(C) that, as of October 23, 2018, is not generating electricity with hydropower generating works that are licensed under, or exempted from the license requirements contained in, this subchapter.

(f) Savings clause

Nothing in this section affects—

(1) any authority of the Commission to license a facility at a nonpowered dam under this subchapter; 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.

(June 10, 1920, ch. 285, pt. I, §34, as added Pub. L. 115–270, title III, §3003, Oct. 23, 2018, 132 Stat. 3863.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, referred to in subsec. (c), is Pub. L. 91–190, Jan. 1, 1970, 83 Stat. 852, which is classified generally to chapter 55 (§4321 et seq.) of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 4321 of Title 42 and Tables.

The Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978, referred to in subsec. (f)(2), is Pub. L. 95–617, Nov. 9, 1978, 92 Stat. 3117. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 2601 of this title and Tables.

¹ So in original. Probably should be followed by "of 1969".

§823f. Closed-loop pumped storage projects

(a) Expedited licensing process for closed-loop pumped storage projects

(1) In general

As provided in this section, the Commission may issue and amend licenses, as appropriate, for closed-loop pumped storage projects.

(2) Rule

Not later than 180 days after October 23, 2018, the Commission shall issue a rule establishing an expedited process for issuing and amending licenses for closed-loop pumped storage projects under this section.

(3) Interagency task force

In establishing the expedited 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 regulatory processes associated with the authorizations required to construct and operate closed-loop pumped storage projects.

(4) Length 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) Dam safety

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).

(c) Exceptions from other requirements

(1) In 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 subchapter with respect to any part of the closed-loop pumped storage project (not including any dam or other impoundment).

(2) Consultation

In granting an exception under paragraph (1), the Commission shall consult with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Marine Fisheries Service, 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) Terms 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 damage 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) Fees

The Commission, in addition to the requirements of section 803(e) of this title, shall establish fees which shall be paid 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 referred 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 transferred to such agencies by the Commission for use solely for purposes of carrying out such studies and shall remain available until expended.

(d) Transfers

Notwithstanding section 798 of this title, and regardless of whether the holder of a preliminary permit for a closed-loop pumped storage project claimed municipal preference under section 800(a) of this title 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) Interagency communications

Interagency cooperation in the preparation of environmental documents under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) with respect to an application for a license for a closed-loop pumped storage 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 subchapter, providing that any agency participating as a party in a licensing proceeding under this subchapter shall, to the extent practicable, demonstrate a separation of staff cooperating with the Commission under the National Environmental Policy Act ¹ (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and staff participating in the applicable proceeding under this subchapter.

(f) Developing abandoned mines for pumped storage

(1) Workshop

Not later than 6 months after October 23, 2018, the Commission shall hold a workshop to explore potential opportunities for development of closed-loop pumped storage projects at abandoned mine sites.

(2) Guidance

Not later than 1 year after October 23, 2018, the Commission shall issue guidance to assist applicants for licenses or preliminary permits for closed-loop pumped storage projects at abandoned mine sites.

(g) Qualifying criteria for closed-loop pumped storage projects

(1) In 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.

(2) Inclusions

In establishing the criteria under paragraph (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 Endangered Species Act of 1973 [16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.].

(h) Savings clause

Nothing in this section affects any authority of the Commission to license a closed-loop pumped storage project under this subchapter.

(June 10, 1920, ch. 285, pt. I, §35, as added Pub. L. 115–270, title III, §3004, Oct. 23, 2018, 132 Stat. 3865.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, referred to in subsec. (c)(2), (3)(A), is act Mar. 10, 1934, ch. 55, 48 Stat. 401, which is classified generally to sections 661 to 666c–1 of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see section 661(a) of this title, Short Title note set out under section 661 of this title, and Tables.

The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, referred to in subsec. (e), is Pub. L. 91–190, Jan. 1, 1970, 83 Stat. 852, which is classified generally to chapter 55 (§4321 et seq.) of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 4321 of Title 42 and Tables.

The Endangered Species Act of 1973, referred to in subsec. (g)(2)(B), is Pub. L. 93–205, Dec. 28, 1973, 87 Stat. 884, which is classified principally to chapter 35 (§1531 et seq.) of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 1531 of this title and Tables.

¹ So in original. Probably should be followed by "of 1969".

§823g. Considerations for relicensing terms

(a) In general

In determining the term of a new license issued when an existing license under this subchapter expires, the Commission 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) Equal weight

The determination of the Commission under subsection (a) shall give equal weight to—

(1) investments by the licensee to implement the new license under this subchapter, including investments relating to redevelopment, new construction, new capacity, efficiency, modernization, 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 existing license (including any terms under annual licenses) that—

(A) resulted in redevelopment, new construction, new capacity, efficiency, modernization, rehabilitation or replacement 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.

(c) Commission determination

At the request of the licensee, 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 request. 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 assessment shall occur only as provided in subsection (a).

(June 10, 1920, ch. 285, pt. I, §36, as added Pub. L. 115–270, title III, §3005, Oct. 23, 2018, 132 Stat. 3867.)

SUBCHAPTER II—REGULATION OF ELECTRIC UTILITY COMPANIES ENGAGED IN INTERSTATE COMMERCE

§824. Declaration of policy; application of subchapter

(a) Federal regulation of transmission and sale of electric energy

It is 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 regulation of matters relating to generation to the extent provided in this subchapter and subchapter III of this chapter and of that part of such business which consists of the transmission of electric energy in interstate commerce and the sale of such energy at wholesale in interstate 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) Use or sale of electric energy in interstate commerce

(1) The provisions of this subchapter shall apply to the transmission 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 energy 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 subchapter and subchapter III of this chapter, over facilities used for the generation of electric energy or over facilities used in local distribution or only for the transmission of electric energy in intrastate commerce, or over facilities for the transmission of electric energy consumed wholly by the transmitter.

(2) Notwithstanding subsection (f), the provisions of sections 824b(a)(2), 824e(e), 824i, 824j, 824j–1, 824k, 824o, 824o–1, 824p, 824q, 824r, 824s, 824t, 824u, and 824v of this title 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 chapter with respect to such provisions. Compliance with any order or rule of the Commission under the provisions of section 824b(a)(2), 824e(e), 824i, 824j, 824j–1, 824k, 824o, 824o–1, 824p, 824q, 824r, 824s, 824t, 824u, or 824v of this title, shall not make an electric utility or other entity subject to the jurisdiction of the Commission for any purposes other than the purposes specified in the preceding sentence.

(c) Electric energy in interstate commerce

For the purpose of this subchapter, electric energy shall be held 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) "Sale of electric energy at wholesale" defined

The term "sale of electric energy at wholesale" when used in this subchapter, means a sale of electric energy to any person for resale.

(e) "Public utility" defined

The term "public utility" when used in this subchapter and subchapter III of this chapter means any person who owns or operates facilities subject to the jurisdiction of the Commission under this subchapter (other than facilities subject to such jurisdiction solely by reason of section 824e(e), 824e(f),¹ 824i, 824j, 824j–1, 824k, 824o, 824o–1, 824p, 824q, 824r, 824s, 824t, 824u, or 824v of this title).

(f) United States, State, political subdivision of a State, or agency or instrumentality thereof exempt

No provision in this subchapter shall apply to, or be deemed to include, 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 indirectly, by any one or more of the foregoing, or any officer, agent, or employee of any of the foregoing acting as such in the course of his official duty, unless such provision makes specific reference thereto.

(g) Books and records

(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 authority under State law,

(B) any exempt wholesale generator selling energy at wholesale to such electric utility, and

(C) any electric utility company, or holding company thereof, 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 affecting 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 information under Federal law, contracts, or otherwise.

(5) As used in this subsection the terms "affiliate", "associate company", "electric utility company", "holding company", "subsidiary company", and "exempt wholesale generator" shall have the same meaning as when used in the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 2005 [42 U.S.C. 16451 et seq.].

(June 10, 1920, ch. 285, pt. II, §201, as added Aug. 26, 1935, ch. 687, title II, §213, 49 Stat. 847; amended Pub. L. 95–617, title II, §204(b), Nov. 9, 1978, 92 Stat. 3140; Pub. L. 102–486, title VII, §714, Oct. 24, 1992, 106 Stat. 2911; Pub. L. 109–58, title XII, §§1277(b)(1), 1291(c), 1295(a), Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 978, 985; Pub. L. 114–94, div. F, §61003(b), Dec. 4, 2015, 129 Stat. 1778.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The Rural Electrification Act of 1936, referred to in subsec. (f), is act May 20, 1936, ch. 432, 49 Stat. 1363, which is classified generally to chapter 31 (§901 et seq.) of Title 7, Agriculture. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see section 901 of Title 7 and Tables.

The Public Utility Holding Company Act of 2005, referred to in subsec. (g)(5), is subtitle F of title XII of Pub. L. 109–58, Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 972, which is classified principally to part D (§16451 et seq.) of subchapter XII of chapter 149 of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 15801 of Title 42 and Tables.

Amendments

2015—Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 114–94, §61003(b)(1), inserted "824o–1," after "824o," in two places.

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 114–94, §61003(b)(2), inserted "824o–1," after "824o,".

2005—Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 109–58, §1295(a)(1), substituted "Notwithstanding subsection (f), the provisions of sections 824b(a)(2), 824e(e), 824i, 824j, 824j–1, 824k, 824o, 824p, 824q, 824r, 824s, 824t, 824u, and 824v of this title" for "The provisions of sections 824i, 824j, and 824k of this title" and "Compliance with any order or rule of the Commission under the provisions of section 824b(a)(2), 824e(e), 824i, 824j, 824j–1, 824k, 824o, 824p, 824q, 824r, 824s, 824t, 824u, or 824v of this title" for "Compliance with any order of the Commission under the provisions of section 824i or 824j of this title".

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 109–58, §1295(a)(2), substituted "section 824e(e), 824e(f), 824i, 824j, 824j–1, 824k, 824o, 824p, 824q, 824r, 824s, 824t, 824u, or 824v of this title" for "section 824i, 824j, or 824k of this title".

Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 109–58, §1291(c), which directed amendment of subsec. (f) by substituting "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," for "political subdivision of a state,", was executed by making the substitution for "political subdivision of a State," to reflect the probable intent of Congress.

Subsec. (g)(5). Pub. L. 109–58, §1277(b)(1), substituted "2005" for "1935".

1992—Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 102–486 added subsec. (g).

1978—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 95–617, §204(b)(1), designated existing provisions as par. (1), inserted "except as provided in paragraph (2)" after "in interstate commerce, but", and added par. (2).

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 95–617, §204(b)(2), inserted "(other than facilities subject to such jurisdiction solely by reason of section 824i, 824j, or 824k of this title)" after "under this subchapter".

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2005 Amendment

Amendment by section 1277(b)(1) of Pub. L. 109–58 effective 6 months after Aug. 8, 2005, with provisions relating to effect of compliance with certain regulations approved and made effective prior to such date, see section 1274 of Pub. L. 109–58, set out as an Effective Date note under section 16451 of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare.

State Authorities; Construction

Nothing in amendment by Pub. L. 102–486 to be construed as affecting or intending to affect, or in any way to interfere with, authority of any State or local government relating to environmental protection or siting of facilities, see section 731 of Pub. L. 102–486, set out as a note under section 796 of this title.

Prior Actions; Effect On Other Authorities

Pub. L. 95–617, title II, §214, Nov. 9, 1978, 92 Stat. 3149, provided that:

"(a) Prior Actions.—No provision of this title [enacting sections 823a, 824i to 824k, 824a–1 to 824a–3 and 825q–1 of this title, amending sections 796, 824, 824a, 824d, and 825d of this title and enacting provisions set out as notes under sections 824a, 824d, and 825d of this title] or of any amendment made by this title shall apply to, or affect, any action taken by the Commission [Federal Energy Regulatory Commission] before the date of the enactment of this Act [Nov. 9, 1978].

"(b) Other Authorities.—No provision of this title [enacting sections 823a, 824i to 824k, 824a–1 to 824a–3 and 825q–1 of this title, amending sections 796, 824, 824a, 824d, and 825d of this title and enacting provisions set out as notes under sections 824a, 824d, and 825d of this title] or of any amendment made by this title shall limit, impair or otherwise affect any authority of the Commission or any other agency or instrumentality of the United States under any other provision of law except as specifically provided in this title."

¹ So in original. Section 824e of this title does not contain a subsec. (f).

§824a. Interconnection and coordination of facilities; emergencies; transmission to foreign countries

(a) Regional districts; establishment; notice to State commissions

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 conservation of natural resources, the Commission is empowered and directed to divide the country into regional districts for the voluntary interconnection and coordination of facilities for the generation, 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 public interest. Each such district shall embrace an area which, in the judgment of the Commission, can economically be served by such interconnection and coordinated electric facilities. It shall be the duty of the Commission to promote and encourage such interconnection 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) Sale or exchange of energy; establishing physical connections

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 conditions 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) Temporary connection and exchange of facilities during emergency

(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 temporary connections of facilities and such generation, delivery, interchange, or transmission of electric energy as in its judgment will best meet the emergency and serve the public interest. If the parties affected by such order fail to agree upon the terms of any arrangement between them in carrying out such order, the Commission, after hearing held either before or after such order takes effect, may prescribe by supplemental order such terms as it finds to be just and reasonable, including the compensation or reimbursement 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 ensure 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, or local environmental law or regulation and minimizes any adverse 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 violation 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 environmental 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 necessary 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 practicable. 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 determines 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 825l of this title 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 voluntarily comply with the order, shall remain subject to paragraph (3).

(d) Temporary connection during emergency by persons without jurisdiction of Commission

During the continuance of any emergency requiring immediate action, any person or municipality engaged in the transmission or sale of electric energy and not otherwise subject to the jurisdiction of the Commission may make such temporary connections with any public utility subject to the jurisdiction of the Commission or may construct such temporary facilities for the transmission of electric energy in interstate commerce as may be necessary or appropriate to meet such emergency, and shall not become 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 temporary construction removed or otherwise disposed of upon the termination of such emergency: Provided further, That upon approval of the Commission permanent connections for emergency use only may be made hereunder.

(e) Transmission of electric energy to foreign country

After six months from August 26, 1935, 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 impede or tend to impede the coordination in the public interest of facilities subject to the jurisdiction of the Commission. The Commission 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 necessary or appropriate.

(f) Transmission or sale at wholesale of electric energy; regulation

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 the State across an international boundary and not thereafter transmitted into any other State, or (b) generated in a foreign country and transmitted across an international 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 subchapter. 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 subsection (e).

(g) Continuance of service

In order to insure continuity of service to customers of public utilities, the Commission shall require, by rule, each public utility to—

(1) report promptly to the Commission and any appropriate State regulatory authorities any anticipated shortage of electric energy or capacity which would affect such utility's capability 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 indirectly by such public utility will be treated, without undue prejudice or disadvantage.

(June 10, 1920, ch. 285, pt. II, §202, as added Aug. 26, 1935, ch. 687, title II, §213, 49 Stat. 848; amended Aug. 7, 1953, ch. 343, 67 Stat. 461; Pub. L. 95–617, title II, §206(a), Nov. 9, 1978, 92 Stat. 3141; Pub. L. 114–94, div. F, §61002, Dec. 4, 2015, 129 Stat. 1772.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2015—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 114–94, §61002(a), designated existing provisions as par. (1) and added pars. (2) to (5).

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 114–94, §61002(b), inserted "or municipality" before "engaged in the transmission or sale of electric energy".

1978—Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 95–617 added subsec. (g).

1953—Subsec. (f). Act Aug. 7, 1953, added subsec. (f).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1978 Amendment

Pub. L. 95–617, title II, §206(b), Nov. 9, 1978, 92 Stat. 3142, provided that: "The amendment made by subsection (a) [adding subsec. (g) of this section] shall not affect any proceeding of the Commission [Federal Energy Regulatory Commission] pending on the date of the enactment of this Act [Nov. 9, 1978] or any case pending on such date respecting a proceeding of the Commission."

Executive Documents

Delegation of Functions

Functions of President respecting certain facilities constructed and maintained on United States borders delegated to Secretary of State, see Ex. Ord. No. 11423, Aug. 16, 1968. 33 F.R. 11741, set out as a note under section 301 of Title 3, The President.

Performance of Functions Respecting Electric Power and Natural Gas Facilities Located on United States Borders

For provisions relating to performance of functions by Secretary of Energy respecting electric power and natural gas facilities located on United States borders, see Ex. Ord. No. 10485, Sept. 8, 1953, 18 F.R. 5397, as amended by Ex. Ord. No. 12038, Feb. 3, 1978, 43 F.R. 4957, set out as a note under section 717b of Title 15, Commerce and Trade.

§824a–1. Pooling

(a) State laws

The Commission may, on its own motion, and shall, on application of any person or governmental entity, after public notice and notice to the Governor of the affected State and after affording an opportunity for public hearing, exempt electric utilities, in whole or in part, from any provision of State law, or from any State rule or regulation, which prohibits or prevents the voluntary coordination of electric utilities, including any agreement for central dispatch, if the Commission determines that such voluntary coordination is designed to obtain economical utilization of facilities and resources in any area. No such exemption may be granted if the Commission finds that such provision of State law, or rule or regulation—

(1) is required by any authority of Federal law, or

(2) is designed to protect public health, safety, or welfare, or the environment or conserve energy or is designed to mitigate the effects of emergencies resulting from fuel shortages.

(b) Pooling study

(1) The Commission, in consultation with the reliability councils established under section 202(a) of the Federal Power Act [16 U.S.C. 824a], the Secretary, and the electric utility industry shall study the opportunities for—

(A) conservation of energy,

(B) optimization in the efficiency of use of facilities and resources, and

(C) increased reliability,

through pooling arrangements. Not later than 18 months after November 9, 1978, the Commission shall submit a report containing the results of such study to the President and the Congress.

(2) The Commission may recommend to electric utilities that such utilities should voluntarily enter into negotiations where the opportunities referred to in paragraph (1) exist. The Commission shall report annually to the President and the Congress regarding any such recommendations and subsequent actions taken by electric utilities, by the Commission, and by the Secretary under this Act, the Federal Power Act [16 U.S.C. 791a et seq.], and any other provision of law. Such annual reports shall be included in the Commission's annual report required under the Department of Energy Organization Act [42 U.S.C. 7101 et seq.].

(Pub. L. 95–617, title II, §205, Nov. 9, 1978, 92 Stat. 3140.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

This Act, referred to in subsec. (b)(2), means Pub. L. 95–617, Nov. 9, 1978, 92 Stat. 3117, known as the "Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978". For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 2601 of this title and Tables.

The Federal Power Act, referred to in subsec. (b)(2), is act June 10, 1920, ch. 285, 41 Stat. 1063, which is classified generally to this chapter. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see section 791a of this title and Tables.

The Department of Energy Organization Act, referred to in subsec. (b)(2), is Pub. L. 95–91, Aug. 4, 1977, 91 Stat. 565, which is classified principally to chapter 84 (§7101 et seq.) of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 7101 of Title 42 and Tables.

Codification

Section was enacted as part of the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978, and not as part of the Federal Power Act which generally comprises this chapter.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Definitions

For definitions of terms used in this section, see section 2602 of this title.

§824a–2. Reliability

(a) Study

(1) The Secretary, in consultation with the Commission, shall conduct a study with respect to—

(A) the level of reliability appropriate to adequately serve the needs of electric consumers, taking into account cost effectiveness and the need for energy conservation,

(B) the various methods which could be used in order to achieve such level of reliability and the cost effectiveness of such methods, and

(C) the various procedures that might be used in case of an emergency outage to minimize the public disruption and economic loss that might be caused by such an outage and the cost effectiveness of such procedures.

Such study shall be completed and submitted to the President and the Congress not later than 18 months after November 9, 1978. Before such submittal the Secretary shall provide an opportunity for public comment on the results of such study.

(2) The study under paragraph (1) shall include consideration of the following:

(A) the cost effectiveness of investments in each of the components involved in providing adequate and reliable electric service, including generation, transmission, and distribution facilities, and devices available to the electric consumer;

(B) the environmental and other effects of the investments considered under subparagraph (A);

(C) various types of electric utility systems in terms of generation, transmission, distribution and customer mix, the extent to which differences in reliability levels may be desirable, and the cost-effectiveness of the various methods which could be used to decrease the number and severity of any outages among the various types of systems;

(D) alternatives to adding new generation facilities to achieve such desired levels of reliability (including conservation);

(E) the cost-effectiveness of adding a number of small, decentralized conventional and nonconventional generating units rather than a small number of large generating units with a similar total megawatt capacity for achieving the desired level of reliability; and

(F) any standards for electric utility reliability used by, or suggested for use by, the electric utility industry in terms of cost-effectiveness in achieving the desired level of reliability, including equipment standards, standards for operating procedures and training of personnel, and standards relating the number and severity of outages to periods of time.

(b) Examination of reliability issues by reliability councils

The Secretary, in consultation with the Commission, may, from time to time, request the reliability councils established under section 202(a) of the Federal Power Act [16 U.S.C. 824a(a) of this title] or other appropriate persons (including Federal agencies) to examine and report to him concerning any electric utility reliability issue. The Secretary shall report to the Congress (in its annual report or in the report required under subsection (a) if appropriate) the results of any examination under the preceding sentence.

(c) Department of Energy recommendations

The Secretary, in consultation with the Commission, and after opportunity for public comment, may recommend industry standards for reliability to the electric utility industry, including standards with respect to equipment, operating procedures and training of personnel, and standards relating to the level or levels of reliability appropriate to adequately and reliably serve the needs of electric consumers. The Secretary shall include in his annual report—

(1) any recommendations made under this subsection or any recommendations respecting electric utility reliability problems under any other provision of law, and

(2) a description of actions taken by electric utilities with respect to such recommendations.

(Pub. L. 95–617, title II, §209, Nov. 9, 1978, 92 Stat. 3143.)

Editorial Notes

Codification

Section was enacted as part of the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978, and not as part of the Federal Power Act which generally comprises this chapter.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Definitions

For definitions of terms used in this section, see section 2602 of this title.

§824a–3. Cogeneration and small power production

(a) Cogeneration and small power production rules

Not later than 1 year after November 9, 1978, the Commission shall prescribe, and from time to time thereafter revise, such rules as it determines necessary to encourage cogeneration and small power production, and to encourage geothermal small power production facilities of not more than 80 megawatts capacity, which rules require electric utilities to offer to—

(1) sell electric energy to qualifying cogeneration facilities and qualifying small power production facilities ¹ and

(2) purchase electric energy from such facilities.

Such rules shall be prescribed, after consultation with representatives of Federal and State regulatory agencies having ratemaking authority for electric utilities, and after public notice and a reasonable opportunity for interested persons (including State and Federal agencies) to submit oral as well as written data, views, and arguments. Such rules shall include provisions respecting minimum reliability of qualifying cogeneration facilities and qualifying small power production facilities (including reliability of such facilities during emergencies) and rules respecting reliability of electric energy service to be available to such facilities from electric utilities during emergencies. Such rules may not authorize a qualifying cogeneration facility or qualifying small power production facility to make any sale for purposes other than resale.

(b) Rates for purchases by electric utilities

The rules prescribed under subsection (a) shall insure that, in requiring any electric utility to offer to purchase electric energy from any qualifying cogeneration facility or qualifying small power production facility, the rates for such purchase—

(1) shall be just and reasonable to the electric consumers of the electric utility and in the public interest, and

(2) shall not discriminate against qualifying cogenerators or qualifying small power producers.

No such rule prescribed under subsection (a) shall provide for a rate which exceeds the incremental cost to the electric utility of alternative electric energy.

(c) Rates for sales by utilities

The rules prescribed under subsection (a) shall insure that, in requiring any electric utility to offer to sell electric energy to any qualifying cogeneration facility or qualifying small power production facility, the rates for such sale—

(1) shall be just and reasonable and in the public interest, and

(2) shall not discriminate against the qualifying cogenerators or qualifying small power producers.

(d) "Incremental cost of alternative electric energy" defined

For purposes of this section, the term "incremental cost of alternative electric energy" means, with respect to electric energy purchased from a qualifying cogenerator or qualifying small power producer, the cost to the electric utility of the electric energy which, but for the purchase from such cogenerator or small power producer, such utility would generate or purchase from another source.

(e) Exemptions

(1) Not later than 1 year after November 9, 1978, and from time to time thereafter, the Commission shall, after consultation with representatives of State regulatory authorities, electric utilities, owners of cogeneration facilities and owners of small power production facilities, and after public notice and a reasonable opportunity for interested persons (including State and Federal agencies) to submit oral as well as written data, views, and arguments, prescribe rules under which geothermal small power production facilities of not more than 80 megawatts capacity, qualifying cogeneration facilities, and qualifying small power production facilities are exempted in whole or part from the Federal Power Act [16 U.S.C. 791a et seq.], from the Public Utility Holding Company Act,² from State laws and regulations respecting the rates, or respecting the financial or organizational regulation, of electric utilities, or from any combination of the foregoing, if the Commission determines such exemption is necessary to encourage cogeneration and small power production.

(2) No qualifying small power production facility (other than a qualifying small power production facility which is an eligible solar, wind, waste, or geothermal facility as defined in section 3(17)(E) of the Federal Power Act [16 U.S.C. 796(17)(E)]) which has a power production capacity which, together with any other facilities located at the same site (as determined by the Commission), exceeds 30 megawatts, or 80 megawatts for a qualifying small power production facility using geothermal energy as the primary energy source, may be exempted under rules under paragraph (1) from any provision of law or regulation referred to in paragraph (1), except that any qualifying small power production facility which produces electric energy solely by the use of biomass as a primary energy source, may be exempted by the Commission under such rules from the Public Utility Holding Company Act ² and from State laws and regulations referred to in such paragraph (1).

(3) No qualifying small power production facility or qualifying cogeneration facility may be exempted under this subsection from—

(A) any State law or regulation in effect in a State pursuant to subsection (f),

(B) the provisions of section 210, 211, or 212 of the Federal Power Act [16 U.S.C. 824i, 824j, or 824k] or the necessary authorities for enforcement of any such provision under the Federal Power Act [16 U.S.C. 791a et seq.], or

(C) any license or permit requirement under part I of the Federal Power Act [16 U.S.C. 791a et seq.] any provision under such Act related to such a license or permit requirement, or the necessary authorities for enforcement of any such requirement.

(f) Implementation of rules for qualifying cogeneration and qualifying small power production facilities

(1) Beginning on or before the date one year after any rule is prescribed by the Commission under subsection (a) or revised under such subsection, each State regulatory authority shall, after notice and opportunity for public hearing, implement such rule (or revised rule) for each electric utility for which it has ratemaking authority.

(2) Beginning on or before the date one year after any rule is prescribed by the Commission under subsection (a) or revised under such subsection, each nonregulated electric utility shall, after notice and opportunity for public hearing, implement such rule (or revised rule).

(g) Judicial review and enforcement

(1) Judicial review may be obtained respecting any proceeding conducted by a State regulatory authority or nonregulated electric utility for purposes of implementing any requirement of a rule under subsection (a) in the same manner, and under the same requirements, as judicial review may be obtained under section 2633 of this title in the case of a proceeding to which section 2633 of this title applies.

(2) Any person (including the Secretary) may bring an action against any electric utility, qualifying small power producer, or qualifying cogenerator to enforce any requirement established by a State regulatory authority or nonregulated electric utility pursuant to subsection (f). Any such action shall be brought only in the manner, and under the requirements, as provided under section 2633 of this title with respect to an action to which section 2633 of this title applies.

(h) Commission enforcement

(1) For purposes of enforcement of any rule prescribed by the Commission under subsection (a) with respect to any operations of an electric utility, a qualifying cogeneration facility or a qualifying small power production facility which are subject to the jurisdiction of the Commission under part II of the Federal Power Act [16 U.S.C. 824 et seq.], such rule shall be treated as a rule under the Federal Power Act [16 U.S.C. 791a et seq.]. Nothing in subsection (g) shall apply to so much of the operations of an electric utility, a qualifying cogeneration facility or a qualifying small power production facility as are subject to the jurisdiction of the Commission under part II of the Federal Power Act.

(2)(A) The Commission may enforce the requirements of subsection (f) against any State regulatory authority or nonregulated electric utility. For purposes of any such enforcement, the requirements of subsection (f)(1) shall be treated as a rule enforceable under the Federal Power Act [16 U.S.C. 791a et seq.]. For purposes of any such action, a State regulatory authority or nonregulated electric utility shall be treated as a person within the meaning of the Federal Power Act. No enforcement action may be brought by the Commission under this section other than—

(i) an action against the State regulatory authority or nonregulated electric utility for failure to comply with the requirements of subsection (f) ¹ or

(ii) an action under paragraph (1).

(B) Any electric utility, qualifying cogenerator, or qualifying small power producer may petition the Commission to enforce the requirements of subsection (f) as provided in subparagraph (A) of this paragraph. If the Commission does not initiate an enforcement action under subparagraph (A) against a State regulatory authority or nonregulated electric utility within 60 days following the date on which a petition is filed under this subparagraph with respect to such authority, the petitioner may bring an action in the appropriate United States district court to require such State regulatory authority or nonregulated electric utility to comply with such requirements, and such court may issue such injunctive or other relief as may be appropriate. The Commission may intervene as a matter of right in any such action.

(i) Federal contracts

No contract between a Federal agency and any electric utility for the sale of electric energy by such Federal agency for resale which is entered into after November 9, 1978, may contain any provision which will have the effect of preventing the implementation of any rule under this section with respect to such utility. Any provision in any such contract which has such effect shall be null and void.

(j) New dams and diversions

Except for a hydroelectric project located at a Government dam (as defined in section 3(10) of the Federal Power Act [16 U.S.C. 796(10)]) at which non-Federal hydroelectric development is permissible, this section shall not apply to any hydroelectric project which impounds or diverts the water of a natural watercourse by means of a new dam or diversion unless the project meets each of the following requirements:

(1) No substantial adverse effects

At the time of issuance of the license or exemption for the project, the Commission finds that the project will not have substantial adverse effects on the environment, including recreation and water quality. Such finding shall be made by the Commission after taking into consideration terms and conditions imposed under either paragraph (3) of this subsection or section 10 of the Federal Power Act [16 U.S.C. 803] (whichever is appropriate as required by that Act [16 U.S.C. 791a et seq.] or the Electric Consumers Protection Act of 1986) and compliance with other environmental requirements applicable to the project.

(2) Protected rivers

At the time the application for a license or exemption for the project is accepted by the Commission (in accordance with the Commission's regulations and procedures in effect on January 1, 1986, including those relating to environmental consultation), such project is not located on either of the following:

(A) Any segment of a natural watercourse which is included in (or designated for potential inclusion in) a State or national wild and scenic river system.

(B) Any segment of a natural watercourse which the State has determined, in accordance with applicable State law, to possess unique natural, recreational, cultural, or scenic attributes which would be adversely affected by hydroelectric development.

(3) Fish and wildlife terms and conditions

The project meets the terms and conditions set by fish and wildlife agencies under the same procedures as provided for under section 30(c) of the Federal Power Act [16 U.S.C. 823a(c)].

(k) "New dam or diversion" defined

For purposes of this section, the term "new dam or diversion" means a dam or diversion which requires, for purposes of installing any hydroelectric power project, any construction, or enlargement of any impoundment or diversion structure (other than repairs or reconstruction or the addition of flashboards or similar adjustable devices) ³

(l) Definitions

For purposes of this section, the terms "small power production facility", "qualifying small power production facility", "qualifying small power producer", "primary energy source", "cogeneration facility", "qualifying cogeneration facility", and "qualifying cogenerator" have the respective meanings provided for such terms under section 3(17) and (18) of the Federal Power Act [16 U.S.C. 796(17), (18)].

(m) Termination of mandatory purchase and sale requirements

(1) Obligation to purchase

After August 8, 2005, no electric utility shall be required to enter into a new contract or obligation to purchase electric energy from a qualifying cogeneration facility or a qualifying small power production facility under this section if the Commission finds that the qualifying cogeneration facility or qualifying small power production facility has nondiscriminatory access to—

(A)(i) independently administered, auction-based day ahead and real time wholesale markets for the sale of electric energy; and (ii) wholesale markets for long-term sales of capacity and electric energy; or

(B)(i) transmission and interconnection services that are provided by a Commission-approved regional transmission entity and administered pursuant to an open access transmission tariff that affords nondiscriminatory treatment to all customers; and (ii) competitive wholesale markets that provide a meaningful opportunity to sell capacity, including long-term and short-term sales, and electric energy, including long-term, short-term and real-time sales, to buyers other than the utility to which the qualifying facility is interconnected. In determining whether a meaningful opportunity to sell exists, the Commission shall consider, among other factors, evidence of transactions within the relevant market; or

(C) wholesale markets for the sale of capacity and electric energy that are, at a minimum, of comparable competitive quality as markets described in subparagraphs (A) and (B).

(2) Revised purchase and sale obligation for new facilities

(A) After August 8, 2005, no electric utility shall be required pursuant to this section to enter into a new contract or obligation to purchase from or sell electric energy to a facility that is not an existing qualifying cogeneration facility unless the facility meets the criteria for qualifying cogeneration facilities established by the Commission pursuant to the rulemaking required by subsection (n).

(B) For the purposes of this paragraph, the term "existing qualifying cogeneration facility" means a facility that—

(i) was a qualifying cogeneration facility on August 8, 2005; or

(ii) had filed with the Commission a notice of self-certification, self recertification or an application for Commission certification under 18 CFR 292.207 prior to the date on which the Commission issues the final rule required by subsection (n).

(3) Commission review

Any electric utility may file an application with the Commission for relief from the mandatory purchase obligation pursuant to this subsection on a service territory-wide basis. Such application shall set forth the factual basis upon which relief is requested and describe why the conditions set forth in subparagraph (A), (B), or (C) of paragraph (1) of this subsection have been met. After notice, including sufficient notice to potentially affected qualifying cogeneration facilities and qualifying small power production facilities, and an opportunity for comment, the Commission shall make a final determination within 90 days of such application regarding whether the conditions set forth in subparagraph (A), (B), or (C) of paragraph (1) have been met.

(4) Reinstatement of obligation to purchase

At any time after the Commission makes a finding under paragraph (3) relieving an electric utility of its obligation to purchase electric energy, a qualifying cogeneration facility, a qualifying small power production facility, a State agency, or any other affected person may apply to the Commission for an order reinstating the electric utility's obligation to purchase electric energy under this section. Such application shall set forth the factual basis upon which the application is based and describe why the conditions set forth in subparagraph (A), (B), or (C) of paragraph (1) of this subsection are no longer met. After notice, including sufficient notice to potentially affected utilities, and opportunity for comment, the Commission shall issue an order within 90 days of such application reinstating the electric utility's obligation to purchase electric energy under this section if the Commission finds that the conditions set forth in subparagraphs (A), (B) or (C) of paragraph (1) which relieved the obligation to purchase, are no longer met.

(5) Obligation to sell

After August 8, 2005, no electric utility shall be required to enter into a new contract or obligation to sell electric energy to a qualifying cogeneration facility or a qualifying small power production facility under this section if the Commission finds that—

(A) competing retail electric suppliers are willing and able to sell and deliver electric energy to the qualifying cogeneration facility or qualifying small power production facility; and

(B) the electric utility is not required by State law to sell electric energy in its service territory.

(6) No effect on existing rights and remedies

Nothing in this subsection affects the rights or remedies of any party under any contract or obligation, in effect or pending approval before the appropriate State regulatory authority or non-regulated electric utility on August 8, 2005, to purchase electric energy or capacity from or to sell electric energy or capacity to a qualifying cogeneration facility or qualifying small power production facility under this Act (including the right to recover costs of purchasing electric energy or capacity).

(7) Recovery of costs

(A) The Commission shall issue and enforce such regulations as are necessary to ensure that an electric utility that purchases electric energy or capacity from a qualifying cogeneration facility or qualifying small power production facility in accordance with any legally enforceable obligation entered into or imposed under this section recovers all prudently incurred costs associated with the purchase.

(B) A regulation under subparagraph (A) shall be enforceable in accordance with the provisions of law applicable to enforcement of regulations under the Federal Power Act (16 U.S.C. 791a et seq.).

(n) Rulemaking for new qualifying facilities

(1)(A) Not later than 180 days after August 8, 2005, the Commission shall issue a rule revising the criteria in 18 CFR 292.205 for new qualifying cogeneration facilities seeking to sell electric energy pursuant to this section to ensure—

(i) that the thermal energy output of a new qualifying cogeneration facility is used in a productive and beneficial manner;

(ii) the electrical, thermal, and chemical output of the cogeneration facility is used fundamentally for industrial, commercial, or institutional purposes and is not intended fundamentally for sale to an electric utility, taking into account technological, efficiency, economic, and variable thermal energy requirements, as well as State laws applicable to sales of electric energy from a qualifying facility to its host facility; and

(iii) continuing progress in the development of efficient electric energy generating technology.

(B) The rule issued pursuant to paragraph (1)(A) of this subsection shall be applicable only to facilities that seek to sell electric energy pursuant to this section. For all other purposes, except as specifically provided in subsection (m)(2)(A), qualifying facility status shall be determined in accordance with the rules and regulations of this Act.

(2) Notwithstanding rule revisions under paragraph (1), the Commission's criteria for qualifying cogeneration facilities in effect prior to the date on which the Commission issues the final rule required by paragraph (1) shall continue to apply to any cogeneration facility that—

(A) was a qualifying cogeneration facility on August 8, 2005, or

(B) had filed with the Commission a notice of self-certification, self-recertification or an application for Commission certification under 18 CFR 292.207 prior to the date on which the Commission issues the final rule required by paragraph (1).

(Pub. L. 95–617, title II, §210, Nov. 9, 1978, 92 Stat. 3144; Pub. L. 96–294, title VI, §643(b), June 30, 1980, 94 Stat. 770; Pub. L. 99–495, §8(a), Oct. 16, 1986, 100 Stat. 1249; Pub. L. 101–575, §2, Nov. 15, 1990, 104 Stat. 2834; Pub. L. 109–58, title XII, §1253(a), Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 967.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The Federal Power Act, referred to in subsecs. (e), (h), (j)(1), and (m)(7)(B), is act June 10, 1920, ch. 285, 41 Stat. 1063, which is classified generally to this chapter (§791a et seq.). Part I of the Federal Power Act is classified generally to subchapter I (§791a et seq.) of this chapter. Part II of the Federal Power Act is classified generally to this subchapter (§824 et seq.). For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see section 791a of this title and Tables.

The Public Utility Holding Company Act, referred to in subsec. (e), probably means the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, title I of act Aug. 26, 1935, ch. 687, 49 Stat. 803, which was classified generally to chapter 2C (§79 et seq.) of Title 15, Commerce and Trade, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 109–58, title XII, §1263, Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 974. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Tables.

The Electric Consumers Protection Act of 1986, referred to in subsec. (j)(1), is Pub. L. 99–495, Oct. 16, 1986, 100 Stat. 1243. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title of 1986 Amendment note set out under section 791a of this title and Tables.

This Act, referred to in subsecs. (m)(6) and (n)(1)(B), is Pub. L. 95–617, Nov. 9, 1978, 92 Stat. 3117, known as the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 2601 of this title and Tables.

Codification

Section was enacted as part of the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978, and not as part of the Federal Power Act which generally comprises this chapter.

August 8, 2005, referred to in subsec. (n)(1)(A), was in the original "the date of enactment of this section", which was translated as meaning the date of enactment of Pub. L. 109–58, which enacted subsecs. (m) and (n) of this section, to reflect the probable intent of Congress.

Amendments

2005—Subsecs. (m), (n). Pub. L. 109–58 added subsecs. (m) and (n).

1990—Subsec. (e)(2). Pub. L. 101–575 inserted "(other than a qualifying small power production facility which is an eligible solar, wind, waste, or geothermal facility as defined in section 3(17)(E) of the Federal Power Act)" after first reference to "facility".

1986—Subsecs. (j) to (l). Pub. L. 99–495 added subsecs. (j) and (k) and redesignated former subsec. (j) as (l).

1980—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 96–294, §643(b)(1), inserted provisions relating to encouragement of geothermal small power production facilities.

Subsec. (e)(1). Pub. L. 96–294, §643(b)(2), inserted provisions relating to applicability to geothermal small power production facilities.

Subsec. (e)(2). Pub. L. 96–294, §643(b)(3), inserted provisions respecting a qualifying small power production facility using geothermal energy as the primary energy source.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1986 Amendment

Pub. L. 99–495, §8(b), Oct. 16, 1986, 100 Stat. 1250, provided that:

"(1) Subsection (j) of section 210 of the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (as amended by subsection (a) of this section) [16 U.S.C. 824a–3(j)] shall apply to any project for which benefits under section 210 of the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 are sought and for which a license or exemption is issued by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission after the enactment of this Act [Oct. 16, 1986], except as otherwise provided in paragraph (2), (3) or (4) of this subsection.

"(2) Subsection (j) shall not apply to the project if the application for license or exemption for the project was filed, and accepted for filing by the Commission, before the enactment of this Act [Oct. 16, 1986].

"(3) Paragraphs (1) and (3) of such subsection (j) shall not apply if the application for the license or exemption for the project was filed before the enactment of this Act [Oct. 16, 1986] and accepted for filing by the Commission (in accordance with the Commission's regulations and procedures in effect on January 1, 1986, including those relating to the requirement for environmental consultation) within 3 years after such enactment.

"(4)(A) Paragraph (3) of subsection (j) shall not apply for projects where the license or exemption application was filed after enactment of this Act [Oct. 16, 1986] if, based on a petition filed by the applicant for such project within 18 months after such enactment, the Commission determines (after public notice and opportunity for public comment of at least 45 days) that the applicant has demonstrated that he had committed (prior to the enactment of this Act) substantial monetary resources directly related to the development of the project and to the diligent and timely completion of all requirements of the Commission for filing an acceptable application for license or exemption. Such petition shall be publicly available and shall be filed in such form as the Commission shall require by rule issued within 120 days after the enactment of this Act. The public notice required under this subparagraph shall include written notice by the petitioner to affected Federal and State agencies.

"(B) In the case of any petition referred to in subparagraph (A), if the applicant had a preliminary permit and had completed environmental consultations (required by Commission regulations and procedures in effect on January 1, 1986) prior to enactment, there shall be a rebuttable presumption that such applicant had committed substantial monetary resources prior to enactment.

"(C) The applicant for a license or exemption for a project described in subparagraph (A) may petition the Commission for an initial determination under paragraph (1) of section 210(j) of the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 [16 U.S.C. 824a–3(j)(1)] prior to the time the license or exemption is issued. If the Commission initially finds that the project will have substantial adverse effects on the environment within the meaning of such paragraph (1), prior to making a final finding under that paragraph the Commission shall afford the applicant a reasonable opportunity to provide for mitigation of such adverse effects. The Commission shall make a final finding under such paragraph (1) at the time the license or exemption is issued. If the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has notified the State of its initial finding and the State has not taken any action described in paragraph (2) of section 210(j) before such final finding, the failure to take such action shall be the basis for a rebuttable presumption that there is not a substantial adverse effect on the environment related to natural, recreational, cultural, or scenic attributes for purposes of such finding.

"(D) If a petition under subparagraph (A) is denied, all provisions of section 210(j) of the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 [16 U.S.C. 824a–3(j)] shall apply to the project regardless of when the license or exemption is issued."

Amendment by Pub. L. 99–495 effective with respect to each license, permit, or exemption issued under this chapter after Oct. 16, 1986, see section 18 of Pub. L. 99–495, set out as a note under section 797 of this title.

Calculation of Avoided Cost

Pub. L. 102–486, title XIII, §1335, Oct. 24, 1992, 106 Stat. 2984, provided that: "Nothing in section 210 of the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (Public Law 95–617) [16 U.S.C. 824a–3] requires a State regulatory authority or nonregulated electric utility to treat a cost reasonably identified to be incurred or to have been incurred in the construction or operation of a facility or a project which has been selected by the Department of Energy and provided Federal funding pursuant to the Clean Coal Program authorized by Public Law 98–473 [see Tables for classification] as an incremental cost of alternative electric energy."

Applicability of 1980 Amendment to Facilities Using Solar Energy as Primary Energy Source

Pub. L. 100–202, §101(d) [title III, §310], Dec. 22, 1987, 101 Stat. 1329–104, 1329-126, provided that:

"(a) The amendments made by section 643(b) of the Energy Security Act (Public Law 96–294) [amending this section] and any regulations issued to implement such amendment shall apply to qualifying small power production facilities (as such term is defined in the Federal Power Act [16 U.S.C. 791a et seq.]) using solar energy as the primary energy source to the same extent such amendments and regulations apply to qualifying small power production facilities using geothermal energy as the primary energy source, except that nothing in this Act [see Tables for classification] shall preclude the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission from revising its regulations to limit the availability of exemptions authorized under this Act as it determines to be required in the public interest and consistent with its obligations and duties under section 210 of the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 [this section].

"(b) The provisions of subsection (a) shall apply to a facility using solar energy as the primary energy source only if either of the following is submitted to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission during the two-year period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act [Dec. 22, 1987]:

"(1) An application for certification of the facility as a qualifying small power production facility.

"(2) Notice that the facility meets the requirements for qualification."

Study and Report to Congressional Committees on Application of Provisions Relating to Cogeneration, Small Power Production, and Interconnection Authority to Hydroelectric Power Facilities

Pub. L. 99–495, §8(d), Oct. 16, 1986, 100 Stat. 1251, provided that:

"(1) The Commission shall conduct a study (in accordance with section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 [42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C)]) of whether the benefits of section 210 of the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 [16 U.S.C. 824a–3] and section 210 of the Federal Power Act [16 U.S.C. 824i] should be applied to hydroelectric power facilities utilizing new dams or diversions (within the meaning of section 210(k) of the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978).

"(2) The study under this subsection shall take into consideration the need for such new dams or diversions for power purposes, the environmental impacts of such new dams and diversions (both with and without the application of the amendments made by this Act to sections 4, 10, and 30 of the Federal Power Act [16 U.S.C. 797, 803, 823a] and section 210 of the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 [16 U.S.C. 824a–3]), the environmental effects of such facilities alone and in combination with other existing or proposed dams or diversions on the same waterway, the intent of Congress to encourage and give priority to the application of section 210 of Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 to existing dams and diversions rather than such new dams or diversions, and the impact of such section 210 on the rates paid by electric power consumers.

"(3) The study under this subsection shall be initiated within 3 months after enactment of this Act [Oct. 16, 1986] and completed as promptly as practicable.

"(4) A report containing the results of the study conducted under this subsection shall be submitted to the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the United States House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the United States Senate while both Houses are in session.

"(5) The report submitted under paragraph (4) shall include a determination (and the basis thereof) by the Commission, based on the study and a public hearing and subject to review under section 313(b) of the Federal Power Act [16 U.S.C. 825l(b)], whether any of the benefits referred to in paragraph (1) should be available for such facilities and whether applications for preliminary permits (or licenses where no preliminary permit has been issued) for such small power production facilities utilizing new dams or diversions should be accepted by the Commission after the moratorium period specified in subsection (e). The report shall include such other administrative and legislative recommendations as the Commission deems appropriate.

"(6) If the study under this subsection has not been completed within 18 months after its initiation, the Commission shall notify the Committees referred to in paragraph (4) of the reasons for the delay and specify a date when it will be completed and a report submitted."

Moratorium on Application of This Section to New Dams

Pub. L. 99–495, §8(e), Oct. 16, 1986, 100 Stat. 1251, provided that: "Notwithstanding the amendments made by subsection (a) of this section [amending section 824a–3 of this title], in the case of a project for which a license or exemption is issued after the enactment of this Act [Oct. 16, 1986], section 210 of the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 [16 U.S.C. 824a–3] shall not apply during the moratorium period if the project utilizes a new dam or diversion (as defined in section 210(k) of such Act) unless the project is either—

"(1) a project located at a Government dam (as defined in section 3(10) of the Federal Power Act [16 U.S.C. 796(10)]) at which non-Federal hydroelectric development is permissible, or

"(2) a project described in paragraphs (2), (3), or (4) of subsection (b) [set out as a note above].

For purposes of this subsection, the term 'moratorium period' means the period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act and ending at the expiration of the first full session of Congress after the session during which the report under subsection (d) [set out as a note above] has been submitted to the Congress."

Definitions

For definitions of terms used in this section, see section 2602 of this title.

¹ So in original. Probably should be followed by a comma.

² See References in Text note below.

³ So in original. Probably should be followed by a period.

§824a–4. Seasonal diversity electricity exchange

(a) Authority

The Secretary may acquire rights-of-way by purchase, including eminent domain, through North Dakota, South Dakota, and Nebraska for transmission facilities for the seasonal diversity exchange of electric power to and from Canada if he determines—

(1) after opportunity for public hearing—

(A) that the exchange is in the public interest and would further the purposes referred to in section 2611(1) and (2) of this title and that the acquisition of such rights-of-way and the construction and operation of such transmission facilities for such purposes is otherwise in the public interest,

(B) that a permit has been issued in accordance with subsection (b) for such construction, operation, maintenance, and connection of the facilities at the border for the transmission of electric energy between the United States and Canada as is necessary for such exchange of electric power, and

(C) that each affected State has approved the portion of the transmission route located in each State in accordance with applicable State law, or if there is no such applicable State law in such State, the Governor has approved such portion; and

(2) after consultation with the Secretary of the Interior and the heads of other affected Federal agencies, that the Secretary of the Interior and the heads of such,¹ other agencies concur in writing in the location of such portion of the transmission facilities as crosses Federal land under the jurisdiction of such Secretary or such other Federal agency, as the case may be.

The Secretary shall provide to any State such cooperation and technical assistance as the State may request and as he determines appropriate in the selection of a transmission route. If the transmission route approved by any State does not appear to be feasible and in the public interest, the Secretary shall encourage such State to review such route and to develop a route that is feasible and in the public interest. Any exercise by the Secretary of the power of eminent domain under this section shall be in accordance with other applicable provisions of Federal law. The Secretary shall provide public notice of his intention to acquire any right-of-way before exercising such power of eminent domain with respect to such right-of-way.

(b) Permit

Notwithstanding any transfer of functions under the first sentence of section 301(b) of the Department of Energy Organization Act [42 U.S.C. 7151(b)], no permit referred to in subsection (a)(1)(B) may be issued unless the Commission has conducted hearings and made the findings required under section 202(e) of the Federal Power Act [16 U.S.C. 824a(e)] and under the applicable execution order respecting the construction, operation, maintenance, or connection at the borders of the United States of facilities for the transmission of electric energy between the United States and a foreign country. Any finding of the Commission under an applicable executive order referred to in this subsection shall be treated for purposes of judicial review as an order issued under section 202(e) of the Federal Power Act.

(c) Timely acquisition by other means

The Secretary may not acquire any rights-of-day ² under this section unless he determines that the holder or holders of a permit referred to in subsection (a)(1)(B) are unable to acquire such rights-of-way under State condemnation authority, or after reasonable opportunity for negotiation, without unreasonably delaying construction, taking into consideration the impact of such delay on completion of the facilities in a timely fashion.

(d) Payments by permittees

(1) The property interest acquired by the Secretary under this section (whether by eminent domain or other purchase) shall be transferred by the Secretary to the holder of a permit referred to in subsection (b) if such holder has made payment to the Secretary of the entire costs of the acquisition of such property interest, including administrative costs. The Secretary may accept, and expend, for purposes of such acquisition, amounts from any such person before acquiring a property interest to be transferred to such person under this section.

(2) If no payment is made by a permit holder under paragraph (1), within a reasonable time, the Secretary shall offer such rights-of-way to the original owner for reacquisition at the original price paid by the Secretary. If such original owner refuses to reacquire such property after a reasonable period, the Secretary shall dispose of such property in accordance with applicable provisions of law governing disposal of property of the United States.

(e) Federal law governing Federal lands

This section shall not affect any Federal law governing Federal lands.

(Pub. L. 95–617, title VI, §602, Nov. 9, 1978, 92 Stat. 3164.)

Editorial Notes

Codification

Subsection (f), which required the Secretary to report annually to Congress on actions taken pursuant to this section, terminated, effective May 15, 2000, pursuant to section 3003 of Pub. L. 104–66, as amended, set out as a note under section 1113 of Title 31, Money and Finance. See, also, page 90 of House Document No. 103–7.

Section was enacted as part of the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978, and not as part of the Federal Power Act which generally comprises this chapter.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Definitions

For definitions of terms used in this section, see section 2602 of this title.

¹ So in original. The comma probably should not appear.

² So in original. Probably should be "rights-of-way".

§824b. Disposition of property; consolidations; purchase of securities

(a) Authorization

(1) No public utility shall, without first having secured an order of the Commission authorizing it to do so—

(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 whatsoever;

(C) purchase, acquire, or take any security with a value in excess of $10,000,000 of any other public utility; or

(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 ratemaking purposes.

(2) No holding company in a holding company system that includes a transmitting utility or an electric utility shall purchase, acquire, or take any security with a value in excess of $10,000,000 of, or, by any means whatsoever, directly or indirectly, 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 authorizing it to do so.

(3) Upon receipt of an application for such approval the Commission shall give reasonable notice in writing to the Governor 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 Commission shall approve the proposed disposition, consolidation, acquisition, 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 company or the pledge or encumbrance of utility assets for the benefit of an associate company, unless the Commission determines 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 criteria for transactions, that normally meet the standards established in paragraph (4). The Commission shall provide expedited 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 Commission does not act within 180 days, such application shall be 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 paragraph (4) and issues an order tolling the time for acting on the application for not more than 180 days, at the end of which additional period the Commission shall grant or deny the application.

(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 Holding Company Act of 2005 [42 U.S.C. 16451 et seq.].

(7)(A) Not later than 180 days after September 28, 2018, the Commission shall promulgate a rule requiring any public utility that is seeking to merge or consolidate, directly or indirectly, its facilities subject to the jurisdiction 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 subparagraph (A), the Commission shall, to the maximum extent practicable, minimize the paperwork burden resulting from the collection of information.

(b) Orders of Commission

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 maintenance of adequate service and the coordination in the public interest 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.

(June 10, 1920, ch. 285, pt. II, §203, as added Aug. 26, 1935, ch. 687, title II, §213, 49 Stat. 849; amended Pub. L. 109–58, title XII, §1289(a), Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 982; Pub. L. 115–247, §§1, 2, Sept. 28, 2018, 132 Stat. 3152.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The Public Utility Holding Company Act of 2005, referred to in subsec. (a)(6), is subtitle F of title XII of Pub. L. 109–58, Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 972, which is classified principally to part D (§16451 et seq.) of subchapter XII of chapter 149 of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 15801 of Title 42 and Tables.

Amendments

2018—Subsec. (a)(1)(B). Pub. L. 115–247, §1, added subpar. (B) and struck out former subpar. (B) which read as follows: "merge or consolidate, directly or indirectly, such facilities or any part thereof with those of any other person, by any means whatsoever;".

Subsec. (a)(7). Pub. L. 115–247, §2, added par. (7).

2005—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 109–58 amended subsec. (a) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (a) read as follows: "No public utility shall 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 $50,000, or by any means whatsoever, directly or indirectly, merge or consolidate such facilities or any part thereof with those of any other person, or purchase, acquire, or take any security of any other public utility, without first having secured an order of the Commission authorizing it to do so. Upon application for such approval the Commission shall give reasonable notice in writing to the Governor 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. After notice and opportunity for hearing, if the Commission finds that the proposed disposition, consolidation, acquisition, or control will be consistent with the public interest, it shall approve the same."

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2018 Amendment

Pub. L. 115–247, §3, Sept. 28, 2018, 132 Stat. 3152, provided that: "The amendment made by section 1 [amending this section] shall take effect 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act [Sept. 28, 2018]."

Effective Date of 2005 Amendment

Pub. L. 109–58, title XII, §1289(b), (c), Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 983, provided that:

"(b) Effective Date.—The amendments made by this section [amending this section] shall take effect 6 months after the date of enactment of this Act [Aug. 8, 2005].

"(c) Transition Provision.—The amendments made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall not apply to any application under section 203 of the Federal Power Act (16 U.S.C. 824b) that was filed on or before the date of enactment of this Act [Aug. 8, 2005]."

§824c. Issuance of securities; assumption of liabilities

(a) Authorization by Commission

No public utility shall issue any security, or assume 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 authorizes such issue or assumption of liability. The Commission shall make such order only 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 consistent 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 August 26, 1935.

(b) Application approval or modification; supplemental orders

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 opportunity for hearing and for good cause shown, make such supplemental orders in the premises as it may find necessary or appropriate, and may by any such supplemental order modify the provisions 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, subject always to the requirements of subsection (a) of this section.

(c) Compliance with order of Commission

No public utility shall, without the consent of the Commission, 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) Authorization of capitalization not to exceed amount paid

The Commission shall not authorize the capitalization of the right to be a corporation or of any franchise, permit, or contract for consolidation, merger, or lease in excess of the amount (exclusive of any tax or annual charge) actually paid as the consideration for such right, franchise, permit, or contract.

(e) Notes or drafts maturing less than one year after issuance

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 liability, 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 than 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 regulation require.

(f) Public utility securities regulated by State not affected

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) Guarantee or obligation on part of United States

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) Filing duplicate reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission

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 sections 77g, 78l, and 78m of title 15.

(June 10, 1920, ch. 285, pt. II, §204, as added Aug. 26, 1935, ch. 687, title II, §213, 49 Stat. 850.)

Executive Documents

Transfer of Functions

Executive and administrative functions of Securities and Exchange Commission, with certain exceptions, transferred to Chairman of such Commission, with authority vested in him to authorize their performance by any officer, employee, or administrative unit under his jurisdiction, by Reorg. Plan No. 10 of 1950, §§1, 2, eff. May 24, 1950, 15 F.R. 3175, 64 Stat. 1265, set out in the Appendix to Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.

§824d. Rates and charges; schedules; suspension of new rates; automatic adjustment clauses

(a) Just and reasonable rates

All rates and charges made, demanded, or received by any public utility for or in connection with the transmission or sale of electric energy subject to the jurisdiction of the 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) Preference or advantage unlawful

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.

(c) Schedules

Under such rules and regulations as the Commission may prescribe, every public utility shall file with the Commission, within such time and in such form as the Commission may designate, and shall keep open in convenient form and place for public inspection schedules showing all rates and charges for any transmission or sale subject to the jurisdiction of the Commission, and the classifications, 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) Notice required for rate changes

Unless the Commission otherwise orders, no change shall be made by any public utility in any such rate, charge, classification, 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 Commission and keeping open for public inspection new schedules stating plainly the change or changes to be made in the schedule or schedules 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 herein 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) Suspension of new rates; hearings; five-month period

Whenever any such new schedule is filed the Commission shall have authority, either upon complaint or upon its own initiative 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 operation of such schedule and defer the use of such rate, charge, classification, 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, classification, or service goes into effect, the Commission may make such orders with reference thereto as would be proper in a proceeding 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 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 refund, 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 hearing and decision of such questions preference over other questions pending before it and decide the same as speedily as possible.

(f) Review of automatic adjustment clauses and public utility practices; action by Commission; "automatic adjustment clause" defined

(1) Not later than 2 years after November 9, 1978, 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 incentives 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 generic or other separate proceedings applicable to one or more utilities.

(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 utility to—

(A) modify the terms and provisions of any automatic adjustment clause, or

(B) cease any practice in connection with the clause,

if such clause or practice does not result in the economical purchase and use of fuel, electric energy, or other items, the cost of which is included in any rate schedule under an automatic adjustment clause.

(4) As used in this subsection, the term "automatic adjustment clause" means a provision of a rate schedule which provides for increases or decreases (or both), without prior hearing, in rates reflecting increases or decreases (or both) in costs incurred by an electric utility. Such term does not include any rate which takes effect subject to refund and subject to a later determination of the appropriate amount of such rate.

(g) Inaction of Commissioners

(1) In general

With respect to a change described in subsection (d), if the Commission permits the 60-day period established therein to expire without issuing an order accepting 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 825l(a) of this title; 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) Appeal

If, pursuant to this subsection, a person seeks a rehearing under section 825l(a) of this title, 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 825l(b) of this title.

(June 10, 1920, ch. 285, pt. II, §205, as added Aug. 26, 1935, ch. 687, title II, §213, 49 Stat. 851; amended Pub. L. 95–617, title II, §§207(a), 208, Nov. 9, 1978, 92 Stat. 3142; Pub. L. 115–270, title III, §3006, Oct. 23, 2018, 132 Stat. 3868.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2018—Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 115–270 added subsec. (g).

1978—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 95–617, §207(a), substituted "sixty" for "thirty" in two places.

Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 95–617, §208, added subsec. (f).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Study of Electric Rate Increases Under Federal Power Act

Section 207(b) of Pub. L. 95–617 directed chairman of Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, in consultation with Secretary, to conduct a study of legal requirements and administrative procedures involved in consideration and resolution of proposed wholesale electric rate increases under Federal Power Act, section 791a et seq. of this title, for purposes of providing for expeditious handling of hearings consistent with due process, preventing imposition of successive rate increases before they have been determined by Commission to be just and reasonable and otherwise lawful, and improving procedures designed to prohibit anticompetitive or unreasonable differences in wholesale and retail rates, or both, and that chairman report to Congress within nine months from Nov. 9, 1978, on results of study, on administrative actions taken as a result of this study, and on any recommendations for changes in existing law that will aid purposes of this section.

§824e. Power of Commission to fix rates and charges; determination of cost of production or transmission

(a) Unjust or preferential rates, etc.; statement of reasons for changes; hearing; specification of issues

Whenever the Commission, after a hearing held upon its own motion or upon complaint, shall find that any rate, charge, or classification, demanded, observed, charged, or collected by any public utility for any transmission or sale subject to the jurisdiction 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 Commission shall determine the just and reasonable rate, charge, classification, rule, regulation, practice, or contract to be thereafter observed 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 Commission 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 adjudicated.

(b) Refund effective date; preferential proceedings; statement of reasons for delay; burden of proof; scope of refund order; refund orders in cases of dilatory behavior; interest

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 effective date shall not be earlier than the date of the filing of such complaint nor later than 5 months after the filing of such complaint. 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 intention to initiate such proceeding nor later than 5 months after the publication date. Upon institution of a proceeding under this section, the Commission shall give to the decision of such proceeding the same preference as provided under section 824d of this title and otherwise act as speedily as possible. If no final decision is rendered 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 decision. 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 preferential 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 proceeding is not concluded within fifteen months after the refund effective date and if the Commission determines at the conclusion of the proceeding that the proceeding was not resolved within the fifteen-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.

(c) Refund considerations; shifting costs; reduction in revenues; "electric utility companies" and "registered holding company" defined

Notwithstanding subsection (b), in a proceeding commenced 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: Provided, 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.¹

(d) Investigation of costs

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 Commission in cases where the Commission has no authority to establish a rate governing the sale of such energy.

(e) Short-term sales

(1) In this subsection:

(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 contracts subject to automatic renewal).

(B) The term "applicable Commission rule" means a Commission 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 824(f) of this title voluntarily makes a short-term sale of electric energy through an organized market in which the rates for the sale are established by Commission-approved 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 paragraph (2) with respect to a voluntary short term sale of electric energy 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 Administration at rates that are higher than the highest just and reasonable rate charged by any other entity for a short-term sale of electric energy in the same geographic market for the same, or most nearly comparable, period as the sale by the Bonneville Power Administration.

(C) In the case of any Federal power marketing agency or the Tennessee Valley Authority, the Commission shall not assert or exercise any regulatory authority or power under paragraph (2) other than the ordering of refunds to achieve a just and reasonable rate.

(June 10, 1920, ch. 285, pt. II, §206, as added Aug. 26, 1935, ch. 687, title II, §213, 49 Stat. 852; amended Pub. L. 100–473, §2, Oct. 6, 1988, 102 Stat. 2299; Pub. L. 109–58, title XII, §§1285, 1286, 1295(b), Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 980, 981, 985.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, referred to in subsec. (c), is title I of act Aug. 26, 1935, ch. 687, 49 Stat. 803, which was classified generally to chapter 2C (§79 et seq.) of Title 15, Commerce and Trade, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 109–58, title XII, §1263, Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 974. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Tables.

Amendments

2005—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 109–58, §1295(b)(1), substituted "hearing held" for "hearing had" in first sentence.

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 109–58, §1295(b)(2), struck out "the public utility to make" before "refunds of any amounts paid" in seventh sentence.

Pub. L. 109–58, §1285, in second sentence, substituted "the date of the filing of such complaint nor later than 5 months after the filing of such complaint" for "the date 60 days after the filing of such complaint nor later than 5 months after the expiration of such 60-day period", in third sentence, substituted "the date of the publication" for "the date 60 days after the publication" and "5 months after the publication date" for "5 months after the expiration of such 60-day period", and in fifth sentence, substituted "If no final decision is rendered 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 decision" for "If no final decision is rendered by the refund effective date or by the conclusion of the 180-day period commencing upon initiation of a proceeding pursuant to this section, whichever is earlier, 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 decision".

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 109–58, §1286, added subsec. (e).

1988—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 100–473, §2(1), inserted provisions for a statement of reasons for listed changes, hearings, and specification of issues.

Subsecs. (b) to (d). Pub. L. 100–473, §2(2), added subsecs. (b) and (c) and redesignated former subsec. (b) as (d).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1988 Amendment

Pub. L. 100–473, §4, Oct. 6, 1988, 102 Stat. 2300, provided that: "The amendments made by this Act [amending this section] are not applicable to complaints filed or motions initiated before the date of enactment of this Act [Oct. 6, 1988] pursuant to section 206 of the Federal Power Act [this section]: Provided, however, That such complaints may be withdrawn and refiled without prejudice."

Limitation on Authority Provided

Pub. L. 100–473, §3, Oct. 6, 1988, 102 Stat. 2300, provided that: "Nothing in subsection (c) of section 206 of the Federal Power Act, as amended (16 U.S.C. 824e(c)) shall be interpreted to confer upon the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission any authority not granted to it elsewhere in such Act [16 U.S.C. 791a et seq.] to issue an order that (1) requires a decrease in system production or transmission costs to be paid by one or more electric utility companies of a registered holding company; 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. For purposes of this section, 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 [15 U.S.C. 79 et seq.]."

Study

Pub. L. 100–473, §5, Oct. 6, 1988, 102 Stat. 2301, directed that, no earlier than three years and no later than four years after Oct. 6, 1988, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission perform a study of effect of amendments to this section, analyzing (1) impact, if any, of such amendments on cost of capital paid by public utilities, (2) any change in average time taken to resolve proceedings under this section, and (3) such other matters as Commission may deem appropriate in public interest, with study to be sent to Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of Senate and Committee on Energy and Commerce of House of Representatives.

¹ See References in Text note below.

§824f. Ordering furnishing of adequate service

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 insufficient, the Commission shall determine the proper, adequate, or sufficient 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.

(June 10, 1920, ch. 285, pt. II, §207, as added Aug. 26, 1935, ch. 687, title II, §213, 49 Stat. 853.)

§824g. Ascertainment of cost of property and depreciation

(a) Investigation of property costs

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) Request for inventory and cost statements

Every public utility upon request shall file with the Commission an inventory of all or any part of its property and a statement of the original cost thereof, and shall keep the Commission informed regarding the cost of all additions, betterments, extensions, and new construction.

(June 10, 1920, ch. 285, pt. II, §208, as added Aug. 26, 1935, ch. 687, title II, §213, 49 Stat. 853.)

§824h. References to State boards by Commission

(a) Composition of boards; force and effect of proceedings

The Commission may refer any matter arising in the administration of this subchapter 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 matter. 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 member of the Commission when designated by the Commission to hold any hearings. The action of such board shall have such force and effect and its proceedings shall be conducted in such manner as the Commission shall by regulations prescribe. The board shall be appointed 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 entitled to the same number of representatives on the board unless the nominating power of such State waives such right. The Commission 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) Cooperation with State commissions

The Commission may confer with any State commission regarding 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 chapter to avail itself of such cooperation, services, records, and facilities as may be afforded by any State commission.

(c) Availability of information and reports to State commissions; Commission experts

The Commission shall make available to the several State 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 a 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 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 provisions of this subsection.

(June 10, 1920, ch. 285, pt. II, §209, as added Aug. 26, 1935, ch. 687, title II, §213, 49 Stat. 853.)

§824i. Interconnection authority

(a) Powers of Commission; application by State regulatory authority

(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 facilities 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 physical connection is ineffective for any reason, such as inadequate size, poor maintenance, or physical unreliability,

(C) such sale or exchange of electric energy or other coordination, 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 necessary to carry out the purposes of any order under subparagraph (A) or (B).

(2) Any State regulatory authority may apply to the Commission 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) Notice, hearing and determination by Commission

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 marketing agency, each affected owner or operator of a cogeneration facility or of a small power production facility, and to the public.¹

(2) afford an opportunity for an evidentiary hearing, and

(3) make a determination with respect to the matters referred to in subsection (c).

(c) Necessary findings

No order may be issued by the Commission under subsection (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 resources, or

(C) improve the reliability of any electric utility system or Federal power marketing agency to which the order applies, and

(3) meets the requirements of section 824k of this title.

(d) Motion of Commission

The Commission may, on its own motion, after compliance with the requirements of paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (b), issue an order requiring any action described in subsection (a)(1) if the Commission determines that such order meets the requirements of subsection (c). No such order may be issued upon the Commission's own motion with respect to a Federal power marketing agency.

(e) Definitions

(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 application. With respect to an order issued pursuant to an application 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.

(June 10, 1920, ch. 285, pt. II, §210, as added Pub. L. 95–617, title II, §202, Nov. 9, 1978, 92 Stat. 3135; amended Pub. L. 96–294, title VI, §643(a)(2), June 30, 1980, 94 Stat. 770.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1980—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 96–294 added applicability to geothermal power producers.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Study and Report to Congressional Committees on Application of Provisions Relating to Cogeneration, Small Power Production, and Interconnection Authority to Hydroelectric Power Facilities

For provisions requiring the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to conduct a study and report to Congress on whether the benefits of this section and section 824a–3 of this title should be applied to hydroelectric power facilities utilizing new dams or diversions, within the meaning of section 824a–3(k) of this title, see section 8(d) of Pub. L. 99–495, set out as a note under section 824a–3 of this title.

¹ So in original. The period probably should be a comma.

§824j. Wheeling authority

(a) Transmission service by any electric utility; notice, hearing and findings by Commission

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 subsection requiring a transmitting utility to provide transmission services (including any enlargement of transmission capacity necessary 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 section 824k of this title, 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) Reliability of electric service

No order may be issued under this section or section 824i of this title if, after giving consideration to consistently applied regional or national reliability standards, guidelines, or criteria, the Commission finds that such order would unreasonably impair the continued reliability of electric systems affected by the order.

(c) Replacement of electric energy

No order may be issued under subsection (a) or (b) which 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

(2) currently provided to the applicant by the utility subject 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 become effective until termination of such rate schedule or the modification becomes effective.

(d) Termination or modification of order; notice, hearing and findings of Commission; contents of order; inclusion in order of terms and conditions agreed upon by parties

(1) Any transmitting utility ordered under subsection (a) or (b) to provide transmission services may apply to the Commission for an order permitting such transmitting utility to cease providing all, or any portion of, such services. After public 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 Commission has found, that—

(A) due to changed circumstances, the requirements applicable, under this section and section 824k of this title, to the issuance of an order under subsection (a) or (b) are no longer met, or ¹

(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

(C) the ordered transmission services require enlargement 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 finding 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 opportunity 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 utilities 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 terminating or modifying such order (including, if appropriate, the return of the transmission capacity when necessary to take 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) "Facilities" defined

As used in this section, the term "facilities" means only facilities used for the generation or transmission of electric energy.

(June 10, 1920, ch. 285, pt. II, §211, as added Pub. L. 95–617, title II, §203, Nov. 9, 1978, 92 Stat. 3136; amended Pub. L. 96–294, title VI, §643(a)(3), June 30, 1980, 94 Stat. 770; Pub. L. 99–495, §15, Oct. 16, 1986, 100 Stat. 1257; Pub. L. 102–486, title VII, §721, Oct. 24, 1992, 106 Stat. 2915; Pub. L. 109–58, title XII, §1295(c), Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 985.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2005—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 109–58, §1295(c)(1), struck out par. (2) designation before introductory provisions, redesignated former subpars. (A) and (B) as pars. (1) and (2), respectively, and in par. (2) substituted "termination or modification" for "termination of modification".

Subsec. (d)(1). Pub. L. 109–58, §1295(c)(2), substituted "if the transmitting utility providing" for "if the electric utility providing" in introductory provisions.

1992—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 102–486, §721(1), amended first sentence generally. Prior to amendment, first sentence read as follows: "Any electric utility, geothermal power producer (including a producer which is not an electric utility), or Federal power marketing agency may apply to the Commission for an order under this subsection requiring any other electric utility to provide transmission services to the applicant (including any enlargement of transmission capacity necessary to provide such services)."

Pub. L. 102–486, §721(2), in second sentence, substituted "the Commission may issue such order if it finds that such order meets the requirements of section 824k of this title, 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." for "the Commission may issue such order if it finds that such order—

"(1) is in the public interest,

"(2) would—

"(A) conserve a significant amount of energy,

"(B) significantly promote the efficient use of facilities and resources, or

"(C) improve the reliability of any electric utility system to which the order applies, and

"(3) meets the requirements of section 824k of this title."

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 102–486, §721(3), amended subsec. (b) generally, substituting provisions relating to reliability of electric service for provisions which related to transmission service by sellers of electric energy for resale and notice, hearing, and determinations by Commission.

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 102–486, §721(4), struck out pars. (1), (3), and (4), and substituted "which requires the transmitting" for "which requires the electric" in introductory provisions of par. (2). Prior to amendment, pars. (1), (3), and (4) read as follows:

"(1) No order may be issued under subsection (a) of this section unless the Commission determines that such order would reasonably preserve existing competitive relationships.

"(3) No order may be issued under the authority of subsection (a) or (b) of this section which is inconsistent with any State law which governs the retail marketing areas of electric utilities.

"(4) No order may be issued under subsection (a) or (b) of this section which provides for the transmission of electric energy directly to an ultimate consumer."

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 102–486, §721(5), in first sentence substituted "transmitting" for "electric" before "utility" in two places, in second sentence inserted "each affected transmitting utility," before "and each affected electric utility", in par. (1) substituted ", or" for period at end of subpar. (B) and added subpar. (C), and in par. (3)(B) substituted "transmitting" for "electric" before "utility".

1986—Subsec. (c)(2)(B). Pub. L. 99–495 inserted provisions 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 become effective until termination of such rate schedule or the modification becomes effective.

1980—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 96–294 added applicability to geothermal power producers.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1986 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 99–495 effective with respect to each license, permit, or exemption issued under this chapter after Oct. 16, 1986, see section 18 of Pub. L. 99–495, set out as a note under section 797 of this title.

State Authorities; Construction

Nothing in amendment by Pub. L. 102–486 to be construed as affecting or intending to affect, or in any way to interfere with, authority of any State or local government relating to environmental protection or siting of facilities, see section 731 of Pub. L. 102–486, set out as a note under section 796 of this title.

¹ So in original. The word "or" probably should not appear.

§824j–1. Open access by unregulated transmitting utilities

(a) Definition of unregulated transmitting utility

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 824(f) of this title.

(b) Transmission operation services

Subject to section 824k(h) of this title, the Commission may, by rule or order, require an unregulated transmitting utility to provide transmission services—

(1) at rates that are comparable to those that the unregulated 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.

(c) Exemption

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 electricity 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) Local distribution facilities

The requirements of subsection (b) shall not apply to facilities used in local distribution.

(e) Exemption termination

If the Commission, after an evidentiary hearing held on a complaint and after giving consideration to reliability standards established under section 824o of this title, finds on the basis of a preponderance of the evidence that any exemption granted pursuant to subsection (c) unreasonably impairs the continued reliability of an interconnected transmission system, the Commission shall revoke the exemption granted to the transmitting utility.

(f) Application to unregulated transmitting utilities

The rate changing procedures applicable to public utilities under subsections (c) and (d) of section 824d of this title are applicable to unregulated transmitting utilities for purposes of this section.

(g) Remand

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) Other requests

The provision of transmission services under subsection (b) does not preclude a request for transmission services under section 824j of this title.

(i) Limitation

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 title 26.

(j) Transfer of control of transmitting facilities

Nothing in this section authorizes the Commission to require an unregulated transmitting utility to transfer control or operational control of its transmitting facilities to a Transmission Organization that is designated to provide nondiscriminatory transmission access.

(June 10, 1920, ch. 285, pt. II, §211A, as added Pub. L. 109–58, title XII, §1231, Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 955.)

§824k. Orders requiring interconnection or wheeling

(a) Rates, charges, terms, and conditions for wholesale transmission services

An order under section 824j of this title shall require the transmitting utility subject to the order to provide wholesale transmission services at rates, charges, terms, and conditions which permit the recovery by such utility of all the costs incurred 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 providing the transmission service, and the costs of any enlargement of transmission facilities. Such rates, charges, terms, and conditions 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 824j of this title 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 utility's existing wholesale, retail, and transmission customers.

(b) Repealed. Pub. L. 102–486, title VII, §722(1), Oct. 24, 1992, 106 Stat. 2916

(c) Issuance of proposed order; agreement by parties to terms and conditions of order; approval by Commission; inclusion in final order; failure to agree

(1) Before issuing an order under section 824i of this title or subsection (a) or (b) of section 824j of this title, the Commission shall issue a proposed order and set a reasonable time for parties to the proposed interconnection or transmission order to agree to terms and conditions under which such order is to be carried out, including the apportionment of costs between them and the compensation or reimbursement 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 jeopardize 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 824i of this title, if the parties fail to agree within the time set by the Commission or if the Commission 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 824j of this title, 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) Statement of reasons for denial

If the Commission does not issue any order applied for under section 824i or 824j of this title, the Commission shall, by order, deny such application and state the reasons for such denial.

(e) Savings provisions

(1) No provision of section 824i, 824j, 824m of this title, or this section shall be treated as requiring any person to utilize the authority of any such section in lieu of any other authority of law. Except as provided in section 824i, 824j, 824m of this title, 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 824i, 824j, 824l, 824m of this title, 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 section 12 of title 15, except that such term includes section 45 of title 15 to the extent that such section relates to unfair methods of competition.

(f) Effective date of order; hearing; notice; review

(1) No order under section 824i or 824j of this title requiring the Tennessee Valley Authority (hereinafter in this subsection referred to as the "TVA") to take any action shall take effect for 60 days following the date of issuance of the order. Within 60 days following the issuance by the Commission of any order under section 824i or of section 824j of this title 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 delivery 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 [16 U.S.C. 831 et seq.].

(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 public, and shall promptly make the determination referred to in paragraph (1). Upon initiation of such hearing, the Commission shall stay the effectiveness of the order under section 824i or 824j of this title until whichever of the following dates is applicable—

(A) the date on which there is a final determination (including 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 Congress (within the meaning of the third sentence of section 15d(a) of the TVA Act [16 U.S.C. 831n–4(a)]) 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 order under section 824i or 824j of this title, and any electric utility or other entity 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 824i or section 824j of this title requiring the TVA to take any action on the grounds that such action requires a specific authorization of the Congress pursuant to the third sentence of section 15d(a) of the TVA Act [16 U.S.C. 831n–4(a)].

(g) Prohibition on orders inconsistent with retail marketing areas

No order may be issued under this chapter which is inconsistent with any State law which governs the retail marketing areas of electric utilities.

(h) Prohibition on mandatory retail wheeling and sham wholesale transactions

No order issued under this chapter 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 instrumentality of a State or a political subdivision); a corporation or association that has ever received a loan for the purposes of providing electric service from the Administrator of the Rural Electrification Administration under the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 [7 U.S.C. 901 et seq.]; 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, directly or indirectly, by any one or more of the foregoing; and

(B) such entity was providing electric service to such ultimate consumer on October 24, 1992, or would utilize transmission or distribution facilities that it owns or controls to deliver all such electric energy 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) Laws applicable to Federal Columbia River Transmission System

(1) The Commission shall have authority pursuant to section 824i of this title, section 824j of this title, this section, and section 824l of this title to (A) order the Administrator of the Bonneville Power Administration to provide transmission service and (B) establish the terms and conditions of such service. In applying such sections to the Federal Columbia River Transmission System, the Commission shall assure that—

(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 824i of this title, section 824j of this title, this section, or section 824l of this title, except that no rate for the transmission of power on the system shall be unjust, unreasonable, or unduly discriminatory or preferential, as determined by the Commission.

(2) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter with respect to the procedures for the determination of terms and conditions for transmission service—

(A) when the Administrator of the Bonneville Power Administration either (i) in response to a written request for specific 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 paragraphs (1) through (3) of section 839e(i) of this title, except that the hearing officer shall, unless the hearing officer becomes unavailable to the agency, make a recommended decision to the Administrator that states the hearing officer's findings and conclusions, 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 824j of this title 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 824j of this title for transmission service under terms and conditions different than those offered by the Administrator, or following the denial of a request for transmission service by the Administrator, and such application is filed within 60 days of the Administrator's final determination and in accordance with Commission procedures, the Commission shall—

(i) in the event the Administrator has conducted a hearing as herein provided for (I) accord parties to the Administrator's hearing the opportunity to offer for the Commission record materials excluded by the Administrator from the hearing record, (II) accord such parties the opportunity 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 transmission service based on the Administrator's hearing record, the Commission record, section 824j of this title and this section, 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 824j of this title and this section, including providing the opportunity for a hearing.

(3) Notwithstanding those provisions of section 825l(b) of this title 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 Bonneville 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 Northwest, as that region is defined by section 839a(14) of this title.

(4) To the extent the Administrator of the Bonneville Power Administration cannot be required under section 824j of this title, as a result of the Administrator's other statutory mandates, either to (A) provide 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 require, the applicant shall not be required to provide similar transmission 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 824i of this title, section 824j of this title, this section, or section 824l of this title requiring the Administrator of the Bonneville Power Administration to provide transmission 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 839a(14) of this title, as is needed to assure adequate and reliable service to loads in that region.

(j) Equitability within territory restricted electric systems

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 824j of this title may require such electric utility (or a distributor of such electric utility) to provide 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 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 October 24, 1992, and which before October 1, 1991, gave its notice of termination under its power supply contract with such electric utility.

(k) ERCOT utilities

(1) Rates

Any order under section 824j of this title requiring provision 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 compensation based, insofar as practicable and consistent with subsection (a), on the transmission ratemaking methodology used by the Public Utility Commission of Texas.

(2) Definitions

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.

(June 10, 1920, ch. 285, pt. II, §212, as added Pub. L. 95–617, title II, §204(a), Nov. 9, 1978, 92 Stat. 3138; amended Pub. L. 102–486, title VII, §722, Oct. 24, 1992, 106 Stat. 2916.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The TVA Act, referred to in subsec. (f)(1), means act May 18, 1933, ch. 32, 48 Stat. 58, known as the Tennessee Valley Authority Act of 1933, which is classified generally to chapter 12A (§831 et seq.) of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see section 831 of this title and Tables.

The Rural Electrification Act of 1936, referred to in subsec. (h)(2)(A), is act May 20, 1936, ch. 432, 49 Stat. 1363, which is classified generally to chapter 31 (§901 et seq.) of Title 7, Agriculture. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see section 901 of Title 7 and Tables.

The Energy Policy Act of 1992, referred to in subsec. (i)(2)(A)(III), (B)(i), is Pub. L. 102–486, Oct. 24, 1992, 106 Stat. 2776. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 13201 of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare and Tables.

Amendments

1992—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 102–486, §722(1), added subsec. (a) and struck out former subsec. (a) which related to determinations by Commission.

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 102–486, §722(1), struck out subsec. (b) which required applicants for orders to be ready, willing, and able to reimburse parties subject to such orders.

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 102–486, §722(2), amended subsec. (e) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (e) related to utilization of interconnection or wheeling authority in lieu of other authority and limitation of Commission authority.

Subsecs. (g) to (k). Pub. L. 102–486, §722(3), added subsecs. (g) to (k).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

State Authorities; Construction

Nothing in amendment by Pub. L. 102–486 to be construed as affecting or intending to affect, or in any way to interfere with, authority of any State or local government relating to environmental protection or siting of facilities, see section 731 of Pub. L. 102–486, set out as a note under section 796 of this title.

§824l. Information requirements

(a) Requests for wholesale transmission services

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 explanation, with specific reference to the facts and circumstances of the request, stating (1) the transmitting utility's basis for the proposed 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) Transmission capacity and constraints

Not later than 1 year after October 24, 1992, the Commission shall promulgate a rule requiring that information be submitted annually to the Commission by transmitting utilities which is adequate to inform potential transmission customers, State regulatory authorities, and the public of potentially available transmission capacity and known constraints.

(June 10, 1920, ch. 285, pt. II, §213, as added Pub. L. 102–486, title VII, §723, Oct. 24, 1992, 106 Stat. 2919.)

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

State Authorities; Construction

Nothing in this section to be construed as affecting or intending to affect, or in any way to interfere with, authority of any State or local government relating to environmental protection or siting of facilities, see section 731 of Pub. L. 102–486, set out as a note under section 796 of this title.

§824m. 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 824d of this title if, after notice and opportunity for hearing, the Commission finds that such rate or charge results from the receipt of any undue preference or advantage from an electric utility which is an associate company or an affiliate of the exempt wholesale generator. For purposes of this section, the terms "associate company" and "affiliate" shall have the same meaning as provided in section 16451 of title 42.¹

(June 10, 1920, ch. 285, pt. II, §214, as added Pub. L. 102–486, title VII, §724, Oct. 24, 1992, 106 Stat. 2920; amended Pub. L. 109–58, title XII, §1277(b)(2), Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 978.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Section 16451 of title 42, referred to in text, was in the original "section 2(a) of the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 2005" and was translated as reading "section 1262" of that Act, meaning section 1262 of subtitle F of title XII of Pub. L. 109–58, to reflect the probable intent of Congress, because subtitle F of title XII of Pub. L. 109–58 does not contain a section 2 and section 1262 of subtitle F of title XII of Pub. L. 109–58 defines terms.

Amendments

2005—Pub. L. 109–58 substituted "section 16451 of title 42" for "section 79b(a) of title 15".

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2005 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 109–58 effective 6 months after Aug. 8, 2005, with provisions relating to effect of compliance with certain regulations approved and made effective prior to such date, see section 1274 of Pub. L. 109–58, set out as an Effective Date note under section 16451 of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare.

State Authorities; Construction

Nothing in this section to be construed as affecting or intending to affect, or in any way to interfere with, authority of any State or local government relating to environmental protection or siting of facilities, see section 731 of Pub. L. 102–486, set out as a note under section 796 of this title.

¹ See References in Text note below.

§824n. Repealed. Pub. L. 109–58, title XII, §1232(e)(3), Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 957

Section, Pub. L. 106–377, §1(a)(2) [title III, §311], Oct. 27, 2000, 114 Stat. 1441, 1441A-80, related to authority regarding formation and operation of regional transmission organizations.

§824o. Electric reliability

(a) Definitions

For purposes of this section:

(1) The term "bulk-power system" means—

(A) facilities and control systems necessary for operating an interconnected electric energy transmission network (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 distribution 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 extent 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 capacity or generation capacity.

(4) The term "reliable operation" means operating the elements 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 elements.

(5) The term "Interconnection" means a geographic area in which the operation of bulk-power system components is synchronized such that the failure of one or more of such components 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 Regional Transmission Organization, Independent System Operator, independent transmission provider, or other transmission organization finally approved by the Commission for the operation of transmission facilities.

(7) The term "regional entity" means an entity having enforcement authority pursuant to subsection (e)(4).

(8) The term "cybersecurity incident" means a malicious act or suspicious event that disrupts, or was an attempt to disrupt, 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) Jurisdiction and applicability

(1) The Commission shall have jurisdiction, within the United States, over the ERO certified by the Commission under subsection (c), any regional entities, and all users, owners and operators of the bulk-power system, including but not limited to the entities described in section 824(f) of this title, 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 August 8, 2005.

(c) Certification

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 Organization. The Commission may certify one such ERO if the Commission determines that such ERO—

(1) has the ability to develop and enforce, subject to subsection (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 directors 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 section;

(C) provide fair and impartial procedures for enforcement of reliability standards through the imposition of penalties in accordance with subsection (e) (including limitations on activities, functions, or operations, or other appropriate sanctions);

(D) provide for reasonable notice and opportunity for public comment, due process, openness, and balance of interests 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) Reliability standards

(1) The Electric Reliability Organization shall file each reliability standard or modification to a reliability 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 determines that the standard is just, reasonable, not unduly discriminatory or preferential, and in the public interest. The Commission shall give due weight to the technical expertise of the Electric Reliability Organization with respect to the content of a proposed standard or modification to a reliability standard and to the technical 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 modification shall take effect upon approval by the Commission.

(3) The Electric Reliability Organization shall rebuttably presume that a proposal from a regional entity organized on an Interconnection-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 preferential, and in the public interest.

(4) The Commission shall remand to the Electric Reliability Organization for further consideration a proposed reliability standard 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 Commission considers such a new or modified reliability standard appropriate 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 ordered 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 reliability standard and any such provision;

(B) the Commission orders a change to such provision pursuant to section 824e of this title; and

(C) the ordered change becomes effective under this subchapter.

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) Enforcement

(1) The ERO may impose, subject to paragraph (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 subsection (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 shall be subject to review by the Commission, on its own motion or upon application by the user, owner or operator that is the subject of the penalty filed within 30 days after the date such notice is filed with the Commission. Application to the Commission for review, or the initiation of review by the Commission on its own motion, shall not operate as a stay of such penalty unless the Commission 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 expedited 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 system if the Commission finds, after notice and opportunity for a hearing, that the user or owner or operator of the bulk-power system 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 stakeholder board.

(B) the regional entity otherwise satisfies the provisions of subsection (c)(1) and (2); and

(C) the agreement promotes effective and efficient administration of bulk-power system reliability.

The Commission may modify such delegation. The ERO and the Commission shall rebuttably presume that a proposal for delegation to a regional entity organized on an Interconnection-wide basis promotes effective and efficient administration of bulk-power system reliability and should be approved. Such regulation may provide that the Commission may assign the ERO's authority to enforce reliability standards under paragraph (1) directly to a regional 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 compliance 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 reasonable 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) Changes in Electric Reliability Organization rules

The Electric Reliability Organization shall file with the Commission for approval any proposed rule or proposed rule change, accompanied by an explanation of its basis and purpose. The Commission, 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) Reliability reports

The ERO shall conduct periodic assessments of the reliability and adequacy of the bulk-power system in North America.

(h) Coordination with Canada and Mexico

The President is urged to negotiate international agreements with the governments 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) Savings provisions

(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 adequacy 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, adequacy, and reliability of electric service within that State, as long as such action is not inconsistent with any reliability standard, except 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 opportunity for comment, the Commission shall issue a final order determining 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) Regional advisory bodies

The Commission shall establish 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 include 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 Commission 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 discriminatory or preferential, and in the public interest, whether fees proposed to be assessed within the region are just, reasonable, not unduly discriminatory or preferential, and in the public interest and any other responsibilities requested by the Commission. The Commission may give deference to the advice of any such regional advisory body if that body is organized on an Interconnection-wide basis.

(k) Alaska and Hawaii

The provisions of this section do not apply to Alaska or Hawaii.

(June 10, 1920, ch. 285, pt. II, §215, as added Pub. L. 109–58, title XII, §1211(a), Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 941.)

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Status of ERO

Pub. L. 109–58, title XII, §1211(b), Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 946, provided that: "The Electric Reliability Organization certified by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission under section 215(c) of the Federal Power Act [16 U.S.C. 824o(c)] and any regional entity delegated enforcement authority pursuant to section 215(e)(4) of that Act [16 U.S.C. 824o(e)(4)] are not departments, agencies, or instrumentalities of the United States Government."

Access Approvals by Federal Agencies

Pub. L. 109–58, title XII, §1211(c), Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 946, provided that: "Federal agencies responsible for approving access to electric transmission or distribution facilities located on lands within the United States shall, in accordance with applicable law, expedite any Federal agency approvals that are necessary to allow the owners or operators of such facilities to comply with any reliability standard, approved by the [Federal Energy Regulatory] Commission under section 215 of the Federal Power Act [16 U.S.C. 824o], that pertains to vegetation management, electric service restoration, or resolution of situations that imminently endanger the reliability or safety of the facilities."

§824o–1. Critical electric infrastructure security

(a) Definitions

For purposes of this section:

(1) Bulk-power system; Electric Reliability Organization; 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 824o(a) of this title, respectively.

(2) Critical electric infrastructure

The term "critical 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 security, economic security, public health or safety, or any combination of such matters.

(3) Critical electric infrastructure information

The term "critical electric infrastructure information" means information related to critical electric infrastructure, or proposed critical electrical infrastructure, generated by or provided 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 information under the Commission's regulations.

(4) Defense critical electric infrastructure

The term "defense critical electric infrastructure" means any electric 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) Electromagnetic pulse

The term "electromagnetic pulse" means 1 or more pulses of electromagnetic energy emitted 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) Geomagnetic storm

The term "geomagnetic storm" means a temporary disturbance of the Earth's magnetic field resulting from solar activity.

(7) Grid 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, software, and data, that are essential to the reliability of critical electric infrastructure or of defense critical electric infrastructure; and

(ii) disruption of the operation of such devices or networks, 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 infrastructure or on defense critical electric infrastructure; and

(ii) significant adverse effects on the reliability of critical electric infrastructure or of defense critical electric infrastructure as a result of such physical attack.

(8) Secretary

The term "Secretary" means the Secretary of Energy.

(b) Authority to address grid security emergency

(1) Authority

Whenever the President issues and provides 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 during such emergency. As soon as practicable but not later than 180 days after December 4, 2015, the Secretary shall, after notice and opportunity for comment, establish rules of procedure that ensure that such authority can be exercised expeditiously.

(2) Notification of Congress

Whenever the President issues and provides to the Secretary a written directive or determination under paragraph (1), the President shall promptly notify congressional committees of relevant jurisdiction, including 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) Consultation

Before issuing an order for emergency measures under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall, to the extent practicable in light of the nature of the grid security emergency and the urgency of the need for action, consult with appropriate governmental authorities in Canada and Mexico, entities described in paragraph (4), the Electricity Sub-sector Coordinating Council, the Commission, and other appropriate Federal agencies regarding implementation of such emergency measures.

(4) Application

An order for emergency measures under this subsection may apply to—

(A) the Electric Reliability Organization;

(B) a regional entity; or

(C) any owner, user, or operator of critical electric infrastructure or of defense critical electric infrastructure within the United States.

(5) Expiration and reissuance

(A) In general

Except as provided in subparagraph (B), an order for emergency measures issued under paragraph (1) shall expire no later than 15 days after its issuance.

(B) Extensions

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 emergency measure continues to be required.

(6) Cost recovery

(A) Critical electric infrastructure

If the Commission determines that owners, operators, or users of critical 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 regulated rates or market prices for the electric energy or services sold by such owners, operators, or users, the Commission shall, consistent with the requirements of section 824d of this title, after notice and an opportunity for comment, establish a mechanism that permits such owners, operators, or users to recover such costs.

(B) Defense 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 incremental costs of the measures.

(7) Temporary access to classified information

The Secretary, and other appropriate Federal agencies, shall, to the extent practicable and consistent with their obligations to protect classified information, provide temporary access to classified 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.

(c) Designation of critical defense facilities

Not later than 180 days after December 4, 2015, the Secretary, 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 designate 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 energy provided to such facility by an external provider.

The Secretary may, in consultation with appropriate Federal agencies and appropriate owners, users, or operators of defense critical electric infrastructure, periodically revise the list of designated facilities as necessary.

(d) Protection and sharing of critical electric infrastructure information

(1) Protection of critical electric infrastructure information

Critical electric infrastructure information—

(A) shall be exempt from disclosure under section 552(b)(3) of title 5; 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) Designation and sharing of critical electric infrastructure information

Not later than one year after December 4, 2015, the Commission, after consultation with the Secretary, shall promulgate such regulations as necessary to—

(A) establish criteria and procedures to designate information as critical electric infrastructure information;

(B) prohibit the unauthorized disclosure of critical electric infrastructure information;

(C) ensure there are appropriate sanctions in place for Commissioners, officers, employees, or agents of the Commission 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 Reliability 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 established 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) Authority to designate

Information may be designated by the Commission or the Secretary as critical electric infrastructure information pursuant to the criteria and procedures established by the Commission under paragraph (2)(A).

(4) Considerations

In exercising their respective authorities under this subsection, the Commission and the Secretary shall take into consideration the role of State commissions in reviewing the prudence and cost of investments, determining the rates and terms of conditions for electric services, and ensuring the safety and reliability of the bulk-power system and distribution facilities within their respective jurisdictions.

(5) Protocols

The Commission and the Secretary shall, in consultation with Canadian and Mexican authorities, develop protocols for the voluntary sharing of critical electric infrastructure information with Canadian and Mexican authorities and owners, operators, and users of the bulk-power system outside the United States.

(6) No required sharing of information

Nothing in this section shall require a person or entity in possession of critical electric infrastructure information to share such information with Federal, State, political subdivision, or tribal authorities, or any other person or entity.

(7) Submission of information to Congress

Nothing in this section shall permit or authorize the withholding of information from Congress, any committee or subcommittee thereof, or the Comptroller General.

(8) Disclosure of nonprotected information

In implementing this section, the Commission and the Secretary shall segregate critical electric infrastructure information or information that reasonably could be expected to lead to the disclosure 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) Duration 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) Removal of designation

The Commission or the Secretary, as appropriate, shall remove the designation of critical electric infrastructure information, in whole or in part, from a document or electronic communication if the Commission or the Secretary, as appropriate, determines that the unauthorized disclosure of such information could no longer be used to impair the security or reliability of the bulk-power system or distribution facilities.

(11) Judicial review of designations

Notwithstanding section 825l(b) of this title, 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 subsection shall be subject to review under chapter 7 of title 5, 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 determination under review to determine whether such documents or any part thereof were improperly designated or not designated as critical electric infrastructure information.

(e) Security clearances

The Secretary shall facilitate and, to the extent practicable, expedite the acquisition of adequate security clearances by key personnel of any entity subject to the requirements 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 appropriate Federal agencies shall, to the extent practicable and consistent with their obligations to protect classified and critical electric infrastructure information, share timely actionable information regarding grid security with appropriate key personnel of owners, operators, and users of the critical electric infrastructure.

(f) Clarifications of liability

(1) Compliance with or violation of this chapter

Except as provided in paragraph (4), to the extent any action or omission 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 provision of this chapter, including any reliability standard approved by the Commission pursuant to section 824o of this title, such action or omission shall not be considered a violation of such rule, order, regulation, or provision.

(2) Relation to section 824a(c) of this title

Except as provided in paragraph (4), an action or omission taken by an owner, operator, or user of critical electric infrastructure or of defense critical electric infrastructure to comply with an order for emergency measures issued under subsection (b)(1) shall be treated as an action or omission taken to comply with an order issued under section 824a(c) of this title for purposes of such section.

(3) Sharing or receipt of information

No cause of action shall lie or be maintained in any Federal or State court for the sharing or receipt of information under, and that is conducted in accordance with, subsection (d).

(4) Rule 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.

(June 10, 1920, ch. 285, pt. II, §215A, as added Pub. L. 114–94, div. F, §61003(a), Dec. 4, 2015, 129 Stat. 1773.)

§824p. Siting of interstate electric transmission facilities

(a) Designation of national interest electric transmission corridors

(1) Not later than 1 year after August 8, 2005, and every 3 years thereafter, the Secretary of Energy (referred to in this section as the "Secretary"), in consultation with affected States and Indian Tribes, shall conduct a study of electric transmission capacity constraints and congestion.

(2) Not less frequently than once every 3 years, the Secretary, after considering alternatives and recommendations from interested parties (including an opportunity for comment from affected States and Indian Tribes), shall issue a report, based on the study under paragraph (1) or other information relating to electric transmission capacity constraints and congestion, which may designate as a national interest electric transmission corridor any geographic area that—

(i) ¹ is experiencing electric energy transmission capacity constraints or congestion that adversely affects consumers; or

(ii) ² is expected to experience such energy transmission capacity constraints or congestion.

(3) Not less frequently than once every 3 years, the Secretary, in conducting the study under paragraph (1) and issuing the report under paragraph (2), shall consult with any appropriate regional entity referred to in section 824o of this title.

(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 limited sources of energy; and

(ii) a diversification of supply is warranted;

(C) the energy independence or energy security of the United States would be served by the designation;

(D) the designation would be in the interest of national energy policy;

(E) the designation would enhance national defense and homeland security;

(F) the designation would enhance the ability of facilities that generate or transmit firm or intermittent energy to connect to the electric grid;

(G) the designation—

(i) maximizes existing rights-of-way; and

(ii) avoids and minimizes, to the maximum extent practicable, and offsets to the extent appropriate and practicable, sensitive environmental areas and cultural heritage sites; and

(H) the designation would result in a reduction in the cost to purchase electric energy for consumers.

(b) Construction permit

Except as provided in subsection (i), the Commission may, after notice and an opportunity for hearing, 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 or interregional 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 chapter 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

(C) a State commission or other entity that has authority to approve the siting of the facilities—

(i) has not made a determination on an application seeking approval pursuant to applicable law by the date that is 1 year after the later of—

(I) the date on which the application was filed; and

(II) the date on which the relevant national interest electric transmission corridor was designated by the Secretary under subsection (a);

(ii) has conditioned its approval in such a manner that the proposed construction or modification will not significantly reduce transmission capacity constraints or congestion in interstate commerce or is not economically feasible; or

(iii) has denied an application seeking approval pursuant to applicable law;

(2) the facilities to be authorized by the permit will be used for the transmission of electric energy in interstate commerce;

(3) the proposed construction or modification is consistent with the public interest;

(4) the proposed construction or modification will significantly reduce transmission congestion in interstate commerce and protects or benefits consumers;

(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 existing towers or structures.

(c) Permit applications

(1) Permit applications under subsection (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

(C) the manner of service of notice of the permit application on interested persons.

(d) Comments

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 located, each affected Federal agency and Indian tribe, private property 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) Rights-of-way

(1) In the case of a permit under subsection (b) for electric transmission facilities to be located on property 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, and operate and maintain, the transmission facilities and, in the determination of the Commission, the permit holder has made good faith efforts to engage with landowners and other stakeholders early in the applicable permitting process, 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 purpose other than the construction, modification, operation, or maintenance 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) Compensation

(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 property taken on the date of the exercise of eminent domain authority.

(g) State law

Nothing in this section precludes any person from constructing or modifying any transmission facility in accordance with State law.

(h) Coordination of Federal authorizations for transmission facilities

(1) In this subsection:

(A) The term "Federal authorization" means any authorization required under Federal law in order to site a transmission facility.

(B) The term "Federal authorization" includes such permits, 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 Federal 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 conducting 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 consultation with agencies responsible for Federal authorizations and, as appropriate, with Indian tribes, multistate entities, and State agencies that are willing to coordinate their own separate permitting and environmental reviews with the Federal authorization and environmental reviews, shall establish prompt and binding intermediate 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 necessary, 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.

(C) The Secretary shall provide an expeditious pre-application 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 prospective 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 corridors designated under section 503 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act ³ (43 U.S.C. 1763) by fully taking into account prior analyses and decisions relating to the corridors.

(C) The document shall include consideration by the relevant agencies of any applicable criteria or other matters as required under applicable law.

(6)(A) If any agency has denied a Federal authorization required for a transmission facility, or has failed to act by the deadline established by the Secretary pursuant to this section for deciding 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, review the denial or failure to take action on the pending application.

(B) Based on the overall record and in consultation with the affected agency, the President may—

(i) issue the necessary authorization with any appropriate conditions; or

(ii) deny the application.

(C) The President shall issue a decision not later than 90 days 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, including 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 August 8, 2005, the Secretary shall issue any regulations necessary to implement this subsection.

(B)(i) Not later than 1 year after August 8, 2005, the Secretary and the heads of all Federal agencies with authority to issue Federal authorizations shall enter into a memorandum of understanding to ensure the timely and coordinated review and permitting of electricity transmission facilities.

(ii) Interested Indian tribes, multistate entities, and State agencies may enter the memorandum of understanding.

(C) The head of each Federal agency with authority to issue a 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, commensurate 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 authorization issued before August 8, 2005), the authorization shall be reviewed for renewal taking fully into account reliance on such electricity infrastructure, recognizing the importance of the authorization for public health, safety, and economic 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 regional entities) approved by the Commission; and

(C) Transmission Organizations approved by the Commission.

(i) Interstate compacts

(1) The consent of Congress is given for three or more contiguous States to enter into an interstate compact, subject to approval by Congress, establishing regional 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 responsibilities of those States.

(2) The Secretary shall provide technical assistance to regional transmission siting agencies established under this subsection.

(3) The regional transmission siting agencies shall have the authority to review, certify, and permit siting of transmission facilities, 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 facility within a State that is a party to a compact, unless the Secretary determines that the members of the compact are in disagreement after the later of—

(A) the date that is 1 year after the date on which the relevant application for the facility was filed; and

(B) the date that is 1 year after the date on which the relevant national interest electric transmission corridor was designated by the Secretary under subsection (a).

(j) Relationship to other laws

(1) Except as specifically provided, nothing in this section affects any requirement of an environmental law of the United States, including the National Environmental 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 Monument.

(k) ERCOT

This section shall not apply within the area referred to in section 824k(k)(2)(A) of this title.

(June 10, 1920, ch. 285, pt. II, §216, as added Pub. L. 109–58, title XII, §1221(a), Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 946; amended Pub. L. 117–58, div. D, title I, §40105, Nov. 15, 2021, 135 Stat. 933.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The National Forest Management Act of 1976, referred to in subsec. (h)(6)(D)(i), is Pub. L. 94–588, Oct. 22, 1976, 90 Stat. 2949, which enacted sections 472a, 521b, 1600, and 1611 to 1614 of this title, amended sections 500, 515, 516, 518, 576b, and 1601 to 1610 of this title, repealed sections 476, 513, and 514 of this title, and enacted provisions set out as notes under sections 476, 513, 528, 594–2, and 1600 of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title of 1976 Amendment note set out under section 1600 of this title and Tables.

The Endangered Species Act of 1973, referred to in subsec. (h)(6)(D)(ii), is Pub. L. 93–205, Dec. 28, 1973, 87 Stat. 884, which is classified principally to chapter 35 (§1531 et seq.) of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 1531 of this title and Tables.

The Federal Water Pollution Control Act, referred to in subsec. (h)(6)(D)(iii), is act June 30, 1948, ch. 758, as amended generally by Pub. L. 92–500, §2, Oct. 18, 1972, 86 Stat. 816, which is classified generally to chapter 26 (§1251 et seq.) of Title 33, Navigation and Navigable Waters. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 1251 of Title 33 and Tables.

The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, referred to in subsecs. (h)(6)(D)(iv) and (j), is Pub. L. 91–190, Jan. 1, 1970, 83 Stat. 852, which is classified generally to chapter 55 (§4321 et seq.) of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 4321 of Title 42 and Tables.

The Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, referred to in subsec. (h)(6)(D)(v), is Pub. L. 94–579, Oct. 21, 1976, 90 Stat. 2743, which is classified principally to chapter 35 (§1701 et seq.) of Title 43, Public Lands. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 1701 of Title 43 and Tables.

Amendments

2021—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 117–58, §40105(a)(1), inserted "and Indian Tribes" after "affected States" and "capacity constraints and" before "congestion".

Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 117–58, §40105(a)(2), substituted "Not less frequently than once every 3 years, the Secretary, after" for "After" and "affected States and Indian Tribes), shall issue a report, based on the study under paragraph (1) or other information relating to electric transmission capacity constraints and congestion, which may designate as a national interest electric transmission corridor any geographic area that—" for "affected States), the Secretary shall issue a report, based on the study, which may designate any geographic area experiencing electric energy transmission capacity constraints or congestion that adversely affects consumers as a national interest electric transmission corridor." and added subpars. (i) and (ii).

Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 117–58, §40105(a)(3), substituted "Not less frequently than once every 3 years, the Secretary, in conducting the study under paragraph (1) and issuing the report under paragraph (2), shall consult" for "The Secretary shall conduct the study and issue the report in consultation".

Subsec. (a)(4)(C). Pub. L. 117–58, §40105(a)(4)(A), inserted "or energy security" after "independence".

Subsec. (a)(4)(F) to (H). Pub. L. 117–58, §40105(a)(4)(B)–(D), added subpars. (F) to (H).

Subsec. (b)(1)(A)(ii). Pub. L. 117–58, §40105(b)(1)(A), inserted "or interregional benefits" after "interstate benefits".

Subsec. (b)(1)(C). Pub. L. 117–58, §40105(b)(1)(B), added subpar. (C) and struck out former subpar. (C) which related to State commission or other authority withholding approval of construction or giving conditional approval that will not result in significant reduction of transmission congestion in interstate commerce or is not economically feasible.

Subsec. (e)(1). Pub. L. 117–58, §40105(c), substituted "modify, and operate and maintain, the transmission facilities and, in the determination of the Commission, the permit holder has made good faith efforts to engage with landowners and other stakeholders early in the applicable permitting process, the" for "modify the transmission facilities, the".

Subsec. (i)(2). Pub. L. 117–58, §40105(d)(1), substituted "shall provide" for "may provide".

Subsec. (i)(4). Pub. L. 117–58, §40105(d)(2), substituted "the Secretary determines that the members of the compact are in disagreement after the later of—" and subpars. (A) and (B) for "the members 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)."

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Wage Rate Requirements

For provisions relating to rates of wages to be paid to laborers and mechanics on projects for construction, alteration, or repair work funded under div. D or an amendment by div. D of Pub. L. 117–58, including authority of Secretary of Labor, see section 18851 of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare.

¹ So in original. Probably should be "(A)".

² So in original. Probably should be "(B)".

³ So in original. Probably should be followed by "of 1976".

§824q. Native load service obligation

(a) Definitions

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, provides electric service to end-users.

(2) The term "load-serving entity" means a distribution utility or an electric utility that has a service obligation.

(3) The term "service obligation" means a requirement applicable 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 distribution utility.

(4) The term "State utility" means a State or any political subdivision of a State, or any agency, authority, or instrumentality 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) Meeting service obligations

(1) Paragraph (2) applies to any load-serving entity that, as of August 8, 2005—

(A) owns generation facilities, markets the output of Federal 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 output of the generation facilities or the purchased energy to meet the service obligation.

(2) Any load-serving entity described in paragraph (1) is entitled to use the firm transmission rights, or, equivalent tradable or financial transmission rights, in order to deliver the output or purchased energy, or the output of other generating facilities or purchased energy to the extent deliverable using the rights, to the extent required to meet the service obligation of the load-serving entity.

(3)(A) To the extent that all or a portion of the service obligation covered by the firm transmission rights or equivalent tradable or financial transmission rights is transferred to another load-serving 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 obligation.

(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 Commission under this chapter 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 secure firm transmission rights (or equivalent tradable or financial rights) on a long-term basis for long-term power supply arrangements made, or planned, to meet such needs.

(c) Allocation of transmission rights

Nothing in subsections (b)(1), (b)(2), and (b)(3) of this section shall affect any existing or future methodology employed by a Transmission Organization 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 January 1, 2005, and the Commission determines that any future allocation or auction is just, reasonable and not unduly discriminatory 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 respect to any application by such Transmission Organization that would change its methodology the Commission shall exercise its authority in a manner consistent with the ¹ chapter 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 generation ownership or power purchase arrangements remain in effect.

(d) Certain transmission rights

The Commission may exercise authority under this chapter 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) Obligation to build

Nothing in this chapter 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) Contracts

Nothing in this section shall provide a basis for abrogating any contract or service agreement for firm transmission service or rights in effect as of August 8, 2005. If an ISO in the Western Interconnection had allocated financial transmission rights prior to August 8, 2005, 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 ownership or future ownership of transmission facilities), such load-serving entities may not be required, without their consent, to convert 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 accordance with the ISO tariff.

(g) Water pumping facilities

The Commission shall ensure that any entity described in section 824(f) of this title that owns transmission facilities used predominately to support its own water pumping facilities 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 referred to in section 824k(k)(2)(A) of this title.

(i) Jurisdiction

This section does not authorize the Commission to take any action not otherwise within the jurisdiction of the Commission.

(j) TVA area

(1) Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3), for purposes 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 section 824k(j) of this title.

(3) The Commission shall not issue an order on the basis of this subsection that is contrary to the purposes of section 824k(j) of this title.

(k) Effect of exercising rights

An entity that to the extent required to meet its service obligations exercises rights described in subsection (b) shall not be considered by such action as engaging in undue discrimination or preference under this chapter.

(June 10, 1920, ch. 285, pt. II, §217, as added Pub. L. 109–58, title XII, §1233(a), Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 957.)

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

FERC Rulemaking on Long-Term Transmission Rights in Organized Markets

Pub. L. 109–58, title XII, §1233(b), Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 960, provided that: "Within 1 year after the date of enactment of this section [Aug. 8, 2005] and after notice and an opportunity for comment, the [Federal Energy Regulatory] Commission shall by rule or order, implement section 217(b)(4) of the Federal Power Act [16 U.S.C. 824q(b)(4)] in Transmission Organizations, as defined by that Act [16 U.S.C. 791a et seq.] with organized electricity markets."

¹ So in original. Probably should be "this".

§824r. Protection of transmission contracts in the Pacific Northwest

(a) Definition of electric utility or person

In this section, the term "electric utility or person" means an electric utility or person that—

(1) as of August 8, 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 839a of this title; or

(B) in that portion of a State included in the geographic area proposed for a regional transmission organization in Commission Docket Number RT01–35 on the date on which that docket was opened.

(b) Protection of transmission contracts

Nothing in this chapter 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 contract or tariff rights associated with the firm transmission rights described in subsection (a).

(June 10, 1920, ch. 285, pt. II, §218, as added Pub. L. 109–58, title XII, §1235, Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 960.)

§824s. Transmission infrastructure investment

(a) Rulemaking requirement

Not later than 1 year after August 8, 2005, the Commission shall establish, 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 consumers by ensuring reliability and reducing the cost of delivered power by reducing transmission congestion.

(b) Contents

The rule shall—

(1) promote reliable and economically efficient transmission and generation of electricity by promoting capital investment 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 facilities;

(2) provide a return on equity that attracts new investment in transmission facilities (including related transmission technologies);

(3) encourage deployment of transmission technologies and other measures to increase the capacity and efficiency of existing transmission facilities and improve the operation of the facilities; and

(4) allow recovery of—

(A) all prudently incurred costs necessary to comply with mandatory reliability standards issued pursuant to section 824o of this title; and

(B) all prudently incurred costs related to transmission infrastructure development pursuant to section 824p of this title.

(c) Incentives

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 Transmission Organization that provides transmission service to such utility.

(d) Just and reasonable rates

All rates approved under the rules adopted pursuant to this section, including any revisions to the rules, are subject to the requirements of sections 824d and 824e of this title that all rates, charges, terms, and conditions be just and reasonable and not unduly discriminatory or preferential.

(June 10, 1920, ch. 285, pt. II, §219, as added Pub. L. 109–58, title XII, §1241, Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 961.)

§824s–1. Incentives for cybersecurity investments

(a) Definitions

In this section:

(1) Advanced cybersecurity technology

The term "advanced cybersecurity technology" means any technology, operational capability, or service, including computer hardware, software, or a related asset, that enhances the security posture of public utilities through improvements in the ability to protect against, detect, respond to, or recover from a cybersecurity threat (as defined in section 650 of title 6).

(2) Advanced cybersecurity technology information

The term "advanced cybersecurity technology information" means information relating to advanced cybersecurity technology or proposed advanced cybersecurity technology that is generated by or provided to the Commission or another Federal agency.

(b) Study

Not later than 180 days after November 15, 2021, the Commission, in consultation with the Secretary of Energy, the North American Electric Reliability Corporation, the Electricity Subsector Coordinating Council, and the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners, shall conduct a study to identify incentive-based, including performance-based, rate treatments for the transmission and sale of electric energy subject to the jurisdiction of the Commission that could be used to encourage—

(1) investment by public utilities in advanced cybersecurity technology; and

(2) participation by public utilities in cybersecurity threat information sharing programs.

(c) Incentive-based rate treatment

Not later than 1 year after the completion of the study under subsection (b), the Commission shall establish, by rule, incentive-based, including performance-based, rate treatments for the transmission of electric energy in interstate commerce and the sale of electric energy at wholesale in interstate commerce by public utilities for the purpose of benefitting consumers by encouraging—

(1) investments by public utilities in advanced cybersecurity technology; and

(2) participation by public utilities in cybersecurity threat information sharing programs.

(d) Factors for consideration

In issuing a rule pursuant to this section, the Commission may provide additional incentives beyond those identified in subsection (c) in any case in which the Commission determines that an investment in advanced cybersecurity technology or information sharing program costs will reduce cybersecurity risks to—

(1) defense critical electric infrastructure (as defined in section 824o–1(a) of this title) and other facilities subject to the jurisdiction of the Commission that are critical to public safety, national defense, or homeland security, as determined by the Commission in consultation with—

(A) the Secretary of Energy;

(B) the Secretary of Homeland Security; and

(C) other appropriate Federal agencies; and

(2) facilities of small or medium-sized public utilities with limited cybersecurity resources, as determined by the Commission.

(e) Ratepayer protection

(1) In general

Any rate approved under a rule issued pursuant to this section, including any revisions to that rule, shall be subject to the requirements of sections 824d and 824e of this title that all rates, charges, terms, and conditions—

(A) shall be just and reasonable; and

(B) shall not be unduly discriminatory or preferential.

(2) Prohibition of duplicate recovery

Any rule issued pursuant to this section shall preclude rate treatments that allow unjust and unreasonable double recovery for advanced cybersecurity technology.

(f) Single-issue rate filings

The Commission shall permit public utilities to apply for incentive-based rate treatment under a rule issued under this section on a single-issue basis by submitting to the Commission a tariff schedule under section 824d of this title that permits recovery of costs and incentives over the depreciable life of the applicable assets, without regard to changes in receipts or other costs of the public utility.

(g) Protection of information

Advanced cybersecurity technology information that is provided to, generated by, or collected by the Federal Government under subsection (b), (c), or (f) shall be considered to be critical electric infrastructure information under section 824o–1 of this title.

(June 10, 1920, ch. 285, pt. II, §219A, as added Pub. L. 117–58, div. D, title I, §40123, Nov. 15, 2021, 135 Stat. 951; amended Pub. L. 117–263, div. G, title LXXI, §7143(d)(2), Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 3663.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2022—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 117–263 substituted "section 650 of title 6" for "section 1501 of title 6".

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Wage Rate Requirements

For provisions relating to rates of wages to be paid to laborers and mechanics on projects for construction, alteration, or repair work funded under div. D or an amendment by div. D of Pub. L. 117–58, including authority of Secretary of Labor, see section 18851 of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare.

§824t. Electricity market transparency rules

(a) In general

(1) The Commission is directed to facilitate price transparency 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 Commission determines necessary and appropriate to carry out the purposes 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 Commission, 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 publishers 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 providing price discovery or market transparency. Nothing in this section, however, shall affect any electronic information filing requirements in effect under this chapter as of August 8, 2005.

(b) Exemption of information from disclosure

(1) Rules described in subsection (a)(2), if adopted, shall exempt 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 Commission shall seek to ensure that consumers and competitive markets 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) Information sharing

(1) Within 180 days of August 8, 2005, the Commission shall conclude a memorandum of understanding with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission relating to information sharing, which shall include, among other things, provisions ensuring that information requests to markets within the respective jurisdiction of each agency are properly coordinated to minimize duplicative information requests, and provisions regarding the treatment of proprietary trading information.

(2) Nothing in this section may be construed to limit or affect the exclusive jurisdiction of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission under the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. 1 et seq.).

(d) Exemption from reporting requirements

The Commission shall not require entities who have a de minimis market presence to comply with the reporting requirements of this section.

(e) Penalties for violations occurring before notice

(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 825o–1 of this title.

(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 subject to the jurisdiction of the Commission has engaged in fraudulent market manipulation activities materially affecting the contract in violation of section 824v of this title.

(f) ERCOT utilities

This section shall not apply to a transaction for the purchase or sale of wholesale electric energy or transmission services within the area described in section 824k(k)(2)(A) of this title.

(June 10, 1920, ch. 285, pt. II, §220, as added Pub. L. 109–58, title XII, §1281, Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 978.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The Commodity Exchange Act, referred to in subsec. (c)(2), is act Sept. 21, 1922, ch. 369, 42 Stat. 998, which is classified generally to chapter 1 (§1 et seq.) of Title 7, Agriculture. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see section 1 of Title 7 and Tables.

§824u. Prohibition on filing false information

No entity (including an entity described in section 824(f) of this title) 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 intent to fraudulently affect the data being compiled by the Federal agency.

(June 10, 1920, ch. 285, pt. II, §221, as added Pub. L. 109–58, title XII, §1282, Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 979.)

§824v. Prohibition of energy market manipulation

(a) In general

It shall be unlawful for any entity (including an entity described in section 824(f) of this title), directly or indirectly, to use or employ, in connection with the purchase or sale of electric energy or the purchase or sale of transmission services subject to the jurisdiction of the Commission, any manipulative or deceptive device or contrivance (as those terms are used in section 78j(b) of title 15), in contravention of such rules and regulations as the Commission may prescribe as necessary or appropriate in the public interest or for the protection of electric ratepayers.

(b) No private right of action

Nothing in this section shall be construed to create a private right of action.

(June 10, 1920, ch. 285, pt. II, §222, as added Pub. L. 109–58, title XII, §1283, Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 979.)

§824w. Joint boards on economic dispatch

(a) In general

The Commission shall convene joint boards on a regional basis pursuant to section 824h of this title 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) Membership

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 participate as a member of each such board.

(c) Powers

The sole authority of each joint board convened under this section shall be to consider issues relevant to what constitutes "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 regarding such issues.

(d) Report to the Congress

Within 1 year after August 8, 2005, 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 consolidate the recommendations of more than one such regional joint board, including any consensus recommendations for statutory or regulatory reform.

(June 10, 1920, ch. 285, pt. II, §223, as added Pub. L. 109–58, title XII, §1298, Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 986.)

SUBCHAPTER III—LICENSEES AND PUBLIC UTILITIES; PROCEDURAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS

§825. Accounts and records

(a) Duty to keep

Every licensee and public utility shall make, keep, and preserve for such periods, such accounts, records of cost-accounting 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 administration of this chapter, including accounts, records, and memoranda of the generation, transmission, distribution, delivery, or sale of electric 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 chapter shall relieve any public utility from keeping any accounts, memoranda, or records which such public utility may be required to keep by or under authority of the laws of any State. The Commission may prescribe a system of accounts to be kept by licensees and public utilities and may classify such licensees and public utilities and prescribe a system of accounts for each class. The Commission, after notice and opportunity for hearing, may determine by order the accounts in which particular outlays and receipts shall be entered, charged, or credited. The burden of proof to justify every accounting entry questioned by the Commission shall be on the person making, authorizing, or requiring such entry, and the Commission may suspend a charge or credit pending submission of satisfactory proof in support thereof.

(b) Access to and examination by the Commission

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 licensees and public utilities to furnish to the Commission, within such reasonable time as the Commission may order, any information with respect thereto which the Commission may by order require, 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 memoranda 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.

(c) Controlling individual

The books, accounts, memoranda, and records of any person who controls, directly or indirectly, a licensee or public utility subject to the jurisdiction of the Commission, and of any other company controlled by such person, insofar as they relate to transactions with or the business of such licensee or public utility, shall be subject to examination on the order of the Commission.

(June 10, 1920, ch. 285, pt. III, §301, as added Aug. 26, 1935, ch. 687, title II, §213, 49 Stat. 854.)

§825a. Rates of depreciation; notice to State authorities before fixing

(a) The Commission may, after hearing, require licensees and public utilities to carry a proper and adequate depreciation account in accordance with such rules, regulations, and forms of account as the Commission may prescribe. The Commission 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 public 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 depreciation 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 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 requirements 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 opportunity to each such commission to present its views, and shall receive and consider such views and recommendations.

(June 10, 1920, ch. 285, pt. III, §302, as added Aug. 26, 1935, ch. 687, title II, §213, 49 Stat. 855.)

§825b. Requirements applicable to agencies of United States

All agencies of the United States engaged in the generation 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 825 and 825a of this title, so far as may be practicable, 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.

(June 10, 1920, ch. 285, pt. III, §303, as added Aug. 26, 1935, ch. 687, title II, §213, 49 Stat. 855.)

§825c. Periodic and special reports; obstructing filing reports or keeping accounts, etc.

(a) Every licensee and every public utility shall file with the Commission such annual and other periodic or special reports 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 chapter. The Commission may prescribe 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 Commission 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 Commission 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 specifies.

(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 chapter or any rule, regulation, or order thereunder.

(June 10, 1920, ch. 285, pt. III, §304, as added Aug. 26, 1935, ch. 687, title II, §213, 49 Stat. 855.)

§825d. Officials dealing in securities

(a) Benefits; making or declaring dividends out of capital account

It shall be unlawful for any officer or director of any public utility to receive for his own benefit, directly or indirectly, 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 proceeds thereof, or to participate in the making or paying of any dividends of such public utility from any funds properly included in capital account.

(b) Interlocking directorates

(1) In general

After 6 months from August 26, 1935, 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 supplying 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 prescribed by the Commission, that neither public nor private interests will be adversely affected thereby. The Commission shall not grant any such authorization in respect of such positions held on August 26, 1935, unless application for such authorization is filed with the Commission within sixty days after that date.

(2) Applicability

(A) In general

In the circumstances described in subparagraph (B), paragraph (1) shall not apply to a person 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 underwrite or participate in the marketing of securities of a public utility.

(B) Circumstances

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 director;

(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) Statement of prior positions; definitions

(1) On or before April 30 of each year, any person, who, during the calendar year preceding the filing date under this subsection, 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 available to the public.

(2) The entities listed for purposes of paragraph (1) are as follows—

(A) any investment bank, bank holding company, foreign bank or subsidiary thereof doing business in the United States, insurance company, or any other organization primarily engaged 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 securities of a public utility;

(C) any company, firm, or organization which produces or 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 purchased (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 company 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 paragraph.

On or before January 31 of each calendar year, each public utility shall publish a list, pursuant to rules prescribed by the Commission, of the purchasers to which subparagraph (D) applies, for purposes 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 registered holding company, unless no company in such system is an electric utility.

(B) The terms "holding company", "registered holding company", and "holding company system" have the same meaning as when used in the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935.¹

(June 10, 1920, ch. 285, pt. III, §305, as added Aug. 26, 1935, ch. 687, title II, §213, 49 Stat. 856; amended Pub. L. 95–617, title II, §211(a), Nov. 9, 1978, 92 Stat. 3147; Pub. L. 106–102, title VII, §737, Nov. 12, 1999, 113 Stat. 1479.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, referred to in subsec. (c)(3)(B), is title I of act Aug. 26, 1935, ch. 687, 49 Stat. 803, which was classified generally to chapter 2C (§79 et seq.) of Title 15, Commerce and Trade, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 109–58, title XII, §1263, Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 974. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Tables.

Amendments

1999—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 106–102 inserted subsec. heading, designated existing provisions as par. (1), inserted heading, and substituted "After 6" for "After six", and added par. (2).

1978—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 95–617 added subsec. (c).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1978 Amendment

Pub. L. 95–617, title II, §211(b), Nov. 9, 1978, 92 Stat. 3147, provided that: "No person shall be required to file a statement under section 305(c)(1) of the Federal Power Act [subsec. (c)(1) of this section] before April 30 of the second calendar year which begins after the date of the enactment of this Act [Nov. 9, 1978] and no public utility shall be required to publish a list under section 305(c)(2) of such Act [subsec. (c)(2) of this section] before January 31 of such second calendar year."

¹ See References in Text note below.

§825e. Complaints

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 contravention of the provisions of this chapter may apply to the Commission 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.

(June 10, 1920, ch. 285, pt. III, §306, as added Aug. 26, 1935, ch. 687, title II, §213, 49 Stat. 856; amended Pub. L. 109–58, title XII, §1284(a), Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 980.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2005—Pub. L. 109–58 inserted "electric utility," after "Any person," and ", transmitting utility," after "licensee" wherever appearing.

§825f. Investigations by Commission

(a) Scope

The Commission may investigate any facts, conditions, practices, or matters which it may find necessary or proper in order to determine whether any person, electric utility, transmitting utility, or other entity has violated or is about to violate any provision of this chapter or any rule, regulation, or order thereunder, or to aid in the enforcement of the provisions of this chapter or in prescribing rules or regulations thereunder, or in obtaining information to serve as a basis for recommending further legislation concerning the matters to which this chapter relates, or in obtaining information about the sale of electric energy at wholesale in interstate commerce and the transmission of electric energy in interstate commerce. 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 concerning any such subject.

(b) Attendance of witnesses and production of documents

For the purpose of any investigation or any other proceeding under this chapter, any member of the Commission, or any officer designated by it, is empowered to administer oaths and affirmations, 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 attendance 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 appear before it shall be paid the same fees and mileage that are paid witnesses in the courts of the United States.

(c) Resort to courts of United States for failure to obey subpena; punishment

In case of contumacy by, or refusal to obey a subpena issued to, any person, the Commission may invoke the aid of any court of the United States within the jurisdiction of which such investigation 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 touching 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 wherever 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, memoranda, 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) Testimony by deposition

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 documentary 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 reduced to writing by the person taking the deposition, or under his direction, and shall, after it has been reduced to writing, be subscribed by the deponent.

(e) Deposition of witness in a foreign country

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 designated 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 Commission.

(f) Deposition fees

Witnesses whose depositions are taken as authorized in this chapter, 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.

(June 10, 1920, ch. 285, pt. III, §307, as added Aug. 26, 1935, ch. 687, title II, §213, 49 Stat. 856; amended Pub. L. 91–452, title II, §221, Oct. 15, 1970, 84 Stat. 929; Pub. L. 109–58, title XII, §1284(b), Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 980.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2005—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 109–58 inserted ", electric utility, transmitting utility, or other entity" after "person" in two places and inserted ", or in obtaining information about the sale of electric energy at wholesale in interstate commerce and the transmission of electric energy in interstate commerce" before period at end of first sentence.

1970—Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 91–452 struck out subsec. (g) which related to the immunity from prosecution of any individual compelled to testify or produce evidence, documentary or otherwise, after claiming his privilege against self-incrimination.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1970 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 91–452 effective on 60th day following Oct. 15, 1970, and not to affect any immunity to which any individual is entitled under this section by reason of any testimony given before 60th day following Oct. 15, 1970, see section 260 of Pub. L. 91–452, set out as an Effective Date; Savings Provision note under section 6001 of Title 18, Crimes and Criminal Procedure.

§825g. Hearings; rules of procedure

(a) Hearings under this chapter may be held before the Commission, any member or members thereof or any representative 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, municipality, 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 chapter 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, investigation, or proceeding or in the manner of taking testimony shall invalidate any order, decision, rule, or regulation issued under the authority of this chapter.

(June 10, 1920, ch. 285, pt. III, §308, as added Aug. 26, 1935, ch. 687, title II, §213, 49 Stat. 858.)

§825h. Administrative powers of Commission; rules, regulations, and orders

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 appropriate to carry out the provisions of this chapter. Among other things, such rules and regulations may define accounting, technical, and trade terms used in this chapter; 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 different date is specified therein, rules and regulations of the Commission shall be effective thirty days after publication in the manner which the Commission shall prescribe. Orders of the Commission shall be effective on the date and in the manner which the Commission shall prescribe. For the purposes of its rules and regulations, 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 Commission shall be filed with its secretary and shall be kept open in convenient form for public inspection and examination during reasonable business hours.

(June 10, 1920, ch. 285, pt. III, §309, as added Aug. 26, 1935, ch. 687, title II, §213, 49 Stat. 858.)

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Commission Review

Pub. L. 99–495, §4(c), Oct. 16, 1986, 100 Stat. 1248, provided that: "In order to ensure that the provisions of Part I of the Federal Power Act [16 U.S.C. 791a et seq.], as amended by this Act, are fully, fairly, and efficiently implemented, that other governmental agencies identified in such Part I are able to carry out their responsibilities, and that the increased workload of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and other agencies is facilitated, the Commission shall, consistent with the provisions of section 309 of the Federal Power Act [16 U.S.C. 825h], review all provisions of that Act [16 U.S.C. 791a et seq.] requiring an action within a 30-day period and, as the Commission deems appropriate, amend its regulations to interpret such period as meaning 'working days', rather than 'calendar days' unless calendar days is specified in such Act for such action."

§825i. Appointment of officers and employees; compensation

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 chapter; and the Commission may, subject to civil-service laws, appoint such other officers and employees as are necessary for carrying out such functions and fix their salaries in accordance with chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of title 5.

(June 10, 1920, ch. 285, pt. III, §310, as added Aug. 26, 1935, ch. 687, title II, §213, 49 Stat. 859; amended Oct. 28, 1949, ch. 782, title XI, §1106(a), 63 Stat. 972.)

Editorial Notes

Codification

Provisions that authorized the Commission to appoint and fix the compensation of such officers, attorneys, examiners, and experts as may be necessary for carrying out its functions under this chapter "without regard to the provisions of other laws applicable to the employment and compensation of officers and employees of the United States" have been omitted as obsolete and superseded.

Such appointments are subject to the civil service laws unless specifically excepted by those laws or by laws enacted subsequent to Executive Order No. 8743, Apr. 23, 1941, issued by the President pursuant to the Act of Nov. 26, 1940, ch. 919, title I, §1, 54 Stat. 1211, which covered most excepted positions into the classified (competitive) civil service. The Order is set out as a note under section 3301 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.

As to the compensation of such personnel, sections 1202 and 1204 of the Classification Act of 1949, 63 Stat. 972, 973, repealed the Classification Act of 1923 and all other laws or parts of laws inconsistent with the 1949 Act. The Classification Act of 1949 was repealed Pub. L. 89–554, Sept. 6, 1966, §8(a), 80 Stat. 632, and reenacted as chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of Title 5. Section 5102 of Title 5 contains the applicability provisions of the 1949 Act, and section 5103 of Title 5 authorizes the Office of Personnel Management to determine the applicability to specific positions and employees.

"Chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of title 5" substituted in text for "the Classification Act of 1949, as amended" on authority of Pub. L. 89–554, §7(b), Sept. 6, 1966, 80 Stat. 631, the first section of which enacted Title 5.

Amendments

1949—Act Oct. 28, 1949, substituted "Classification Act of 1949" for "Classification Act of 1923".

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Repeals

Act Oct. 28, 1949, ch. 782, cited as a credit to this section, was repealed (subject to a savings clause) by Pub. L. 89–554, Sept. 6, 1966, §8, 80 Stat. 632, 655.

§825j. Investigations relating to electric energy; reports to Congress

In order to secure information necessary or appropriate 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 possessions, 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 instrumentality 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, transmission, distribution, and sale; the capacity and output thereof and the relationship between the two; the cost of generation, transmission, and distribution; the rates, charges, and contracts in respect 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.

(June 10, 1920, ch. 285, pt. III, §311, as added Aug. 26, 1935, ch. 687, title II, §213, 49 Stat. 859.)

§825k. Publication and sale of reports

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 Commission, 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 Director of the Government Publishing Office 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 Publishing 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 exigencies of the public service so require, the Joint Committee on Printing may authorize the Commission to make immediate contracts for engraving, lithographing, and photolithographing, without advertisement for proposals: Provided further, That nothing contained in this chapter or any other Act shall prevent the Federal Power Commission from placing orders with other departments or establishments for engraving, lithographing, and photolithographing, in accordance with the provisions of sections 1535 and 1536 of title 31, providing for interdepartmental work.

(June 10, 1920, ch. 285, pt. III, §312, as added Aug. 26, 1935, ch. 687, title II, §213, 49 Stat. 859; amended Pub. L. 113–235, div. H, title I, §1301(b), (d), Dec. 16, 2014, 128 Stat. 2537.)

Editorial Notes

Codification

"Sections 1535 and 1536 of title 31" substituted in text for "sections 601 and 602 of the Act of June 30, 1932 (47 Stat. 417 [31 U.S.C. 686, 686b])" on authority of Pub. L. 97–258, §4(b), Sept. 13, 1982, 96 Stat. 1067, the first section of which enacted Title 31, Money and Finance.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Change of Name

"Director of the Government Publishing Office" substituted for "Public Printer" in text on authority of section 1301(d) of Pub. L. 113–235, set out as a note under section 301 of Title 44, Public Printing and Documents.

"Government Publishing Office" substituted for "Government Printing Office" in text on authority of section 1301(b) of Pub. L. 113–235, set out as a note preceding section 301 of Title 44, Public Printing and Documents.

§825l. Review of orders

(a) Application for rehearing; time periods; modification of order

Any person, electric utility, State, municipality, or State commission aggrieved by an order issued by the Commission in a proceeding under this chapter 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 hearing. 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 order 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 chapter.

(b) Judicial review

Any party to a proceeding under this chapter aggrieved by an order issued by the Commission in such proceeding may obtain a review of such order in the United States court of appeals 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 Columbia, 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 Commission and thereupon the Commission shall file with the court the record upon which the order complained of was entered, as provided in section 2112 of title 28. Upon the filing 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 failure so to do. The finding of the Commission as to the facts, if supported 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 evidence is material and that there were reasonable grounds for failure to adduce such evidence in the proceedings before the Commission, the court may order such additional evidence to be taken before the Commission and to be adduced upon the hearing in such manner and upon such terms and conditions as to the court may seem proper. The Commission may modify its findings as to the facts by reason of the 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 recommendation, 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 Commission, shall be final, subject to review by the Supreme Court of the United States upon certiorari or certification as provided in section 1254 of title 28.

(c) Stay of Commission's order

The filing of an application for rehearing under subsection (a) shall not, unless specifically ordered by the Commission, operate as a stay of the Commission's order. The commencement of proceedings under subsection (b) of this section shall not, unless specifically ordered by the court, operate as a stay of the Commission's order.

(June 10, 1920, ch. 285, pt. III, §313, as added Aug. 26, 1935, ch. 687, title II, §213, 49 Stat. 860; amended June 25, 1948, ch. 646, §32(a), 62 Stat. 991; May 24, 1949, ch. 139, §127, 63 Stat. 107; Pub. L. 85–791, §16, Aug. 28, 1958, 72 Stat. 947; Pub. L. 109–58, title XII, §1284(c), Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 980.)

Editorial Notes

Codification

In subsec. (b), "section 1254 of title 28" substituted for "sections 239 and 240 of the Judicial Code, as amended (U.S.C., title 28, secs. 346 and 347)" on authority of act June 25, 1948, ch. 646, 62 Stat. 869, the first section of which enacted Title 28, Judiciary and Judicial Procedure.

Amendments

2005—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 109–58 inserted "electric utility," after "Any person," and "to which such person," and substituted "brought by any entity unless such entity" for "brought by any person unless such person".

1958—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 85–791, §16(a), inserted sentence to provide that Commission may modify or set aside findings or orders until record has been filed in court of appeals.

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 85–791, §16(b), in second sentence, substituted "transmitted by the clerk of the court to" for "served upon", substituted "file with the court" for "certify and file with the court a transcript of", and inserted "as provided in section 2112 of title 28", and in third sentence, substituted "jurisdiction, which upon the filing of the record with it shall be exclusive" for "exclusive jurisdiction".

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Change of Name

Act June 25, 1948, eff. Sept. 1, 1948, as amended by act May 24, 1949, substituted "court of appeals" for "circuit court of appeals".

§825m. Enforcement provisions

(a) Enjoining and restraining violations

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 chapter, 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 or the United States courts of any Territory or other place subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, to enjoin such acts or practices and to enforce compliance with this chapter or any rule, regulation, 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 evidence as may be available concerning such acts or practices to the Attorney General, who, in his discretion, may institute the necessary criminal proceedings under this chapter.

(b) Writs of mandamus

Upon application of the Commission the district courts of the United States and the United States courts 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 provisions of this chapter or any rule, regulation, or order of the Commission thereunder.

(c) Employment of attorneys

The Commission may employ such attorneys as it finds necessary for proper legal aid and service of the Commission or its members in the conduct of their work, or for proper representation of the public interests in investigations made by it or cases or proceedings pending before it, whether at the Commission's own instance or upon complaint, or to appear for or represent the Commission in any case in court; and the expenses of such employment shall be paid out of the appropriation for the Commission.

(d) Prohibitions on violators

In any proceedings under subsection (a), the court may prohibit, conditionally or unconditionally, and permanently or for such period of time as the court determines, any individual who is engaged or has engaged in practices constituting a violation of section 824u of this title (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.

(June 10, 1920, ch. 285, pt. III, §314, as added Aug. 26, 1935, ch. 687, title II, §213, 49 Stat. 861; amended June 25, 1936, ch. 804, 49 Stat. 1921; June 25, 1948, ch. 646, §32(b), 62 Stat. 991; May 24, 1949, ch. 139, §127, 63 Stat. 107; Pub. L. 109–58, title XII, §1288, Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 982.)

Editorial Notes

Codification

As originally enacted subsecs. (a) and (b) contained references to the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia. Act June 25, 1936, substituted "the district court of the United States for the District of Columbia" for "the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia", and act June 25, 1948, as amended by act May 24, 1949, substituted "United States District Court for the District of Columbia" for "district court of the United States for the District of Columbia". However, the words "United States District Court for the District of Columbia" have been deleted entirely as superfluous in view of section 132(a) of Title 28, Judiciary and Judicial Procedure, which states that "There shall be in each judicial district a district court which shall be a court of record known as the United States District Court for the district", and section 88 of Title 28 which states that "the District of Columbia constitutes one judicial district".

Amendments

2005—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 109–58 added subsec. (d).

§825n. Forfeiture for violations; recovery; applicability

(a) Forfeiture

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 chapter 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 chapter, or to appear by an officer or agent at any hearing or investigation in response to a subpena issued under this chapter, shall forfeit to the United States an amount not exceeding $1,000 to be fixed by the Commission after notice and opportunity for hearing. The imposition or payment of any such forfeiture shall not bar or affect any penalty prescribed in this chapter but such forfeiture shall be in addition to any such penalty.

(b) Recovery

The forfeitures provided for in this chapter 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 United States attorneys, under the direction of the Attorney General of the United States, to prosecute for the recovery of forfeitures under this chapter. The costs and expenses of such prosecution shall be paid from the appropriations for the expenses of the courts of the United States.

(c) Applicability

This section shall not apply in the case of any provision of section 824j, 824k, 824l, or 824m of this title or any rule or order issued under any such provision.

(June 10, 1920, ch. 285, pt. III, §315, as added Aug. 26, 1935, ch. 687, title II, §213, 49 Stat. 861; amended June 25, 1948, ch. 646, §1, 62 Stat. 909; Pub. L. 102–486, title VII, §725(a), Oct. 24, 1992, 106 Stat. 2920; Pub. L. 109–58, title XII, §1295(d), Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 985.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2005—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 109–58 substituted "This section" for "This subsection".

1992—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 102–486 added subsec. (c).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Change of Name

Act June 25, 1948, eff. Sept. 1, 1948, substituted "United States attorney" for "district attorney". See section 541 of Title 28, Judiciary and Judicial Procedure.

State Authorities; Construction

Nothing in amendment by Pub. L. 102–486 to be construed as affecting or intending to affect, or in any way to interfere with, authority of any State or local government relating to environmental protection or siting of facilities, see section 731 of Pub. L. 102–486, set out as a note under section 796 of this title.

§825o. Penalties for violations; applicability of section

(a) Statutory violations

Any person who willfully and knowingly does or causes or suffers to be done any act, matter, or thing in this chapter prohibited or declared to be unlawful, or who willfully and knowingly omits or fails to do any act, matter, or thing in this chapter required 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.

(b) Rules violations

Any person who willfully and knowingly violates any rule, regulation, restriction, condition, or order made or imposed by the Commission under authority of this chapter, or any rule or regulation imposed by the Secretary of the Army under authority of subchapter I of this chapter 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.

(June 10, 1920, ch. 285, pt. III, §316, as added Aug. 26, 1935, ch. 687, title II, §213, 49 Stat. 862; amended July 26, 1947, ch. 343, title II, §205(a), 61 Stat. 501; Pub. L. 102–486, title VII, §725(a), Oct. 24, 1992, 106 Stat. 2920; Pub. L. 109–58, title XII, §1284(d), Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 980.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2005—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 109–58, §1284(d)(1), substituted "$1,000,000" for "$5,000" and "5 years" for "two years".

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 109–58, §1284(d)(2), substituted "$25,000" for "$500".

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 109–58, §1284(d)(3), struck out subsec. (c) which read as follows: "This subsection shall not apply in the case of any provision of section 824j, 824k, 824l, or 824m of this title or any rule or order issued under any such provision."

1992—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 102–486 added subsec. (c).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Change of Name

Department of War designated Department of the Army and title of Secretary of War changed to Secretary of the Army by section 205(a) of act July 26, 1947, ch. 343, title II, 61 Stat. 501. Section 205(a) of act July 26, 1947, was repealed by section 53 of act Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 641. Section 1 of act Aug. 10, 1956, enacted "Title 10, Armed Forces" which in sections 3010 to 3013 continued military Department of the Army under administrative supervision of Secretary of the Army.

State Authorities; Construction

Nothing in amendment by Pub. L. 102–486 to be construed as affecting or intending to affect, or in any way to interfere with, authority of any State or local government relating to environmental protection or siting of facilities, see section 731 of Pub. L. 102–486, set out as a note under section 796 of this title.

§825o–1. Enforcement of certain provisions

(a) Violations

It shall be unlawful for any person to violate any provision of subchapter II or any rule or order issued under any such provision.

(b) Civil penalties

Any person who violates any provision of subchapter 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 accordance with the same provisions as are applicable under section 823b(d) of this title in the case of civil penalties assessed under section 823b of this title. In determining the amount of a proposed penalty, the Commission shall take into consideration the seriousness of the violation and the efforts of such person to remedy the violation in a timely manner.

(June 10, 1920, ch. 285, pt. III, §316A, as added Pub. L. 102–486, title VII, §725(b), Oct. 24, 1992, 106 Stat. 2920; amended Pub. L. 109–58, title XII, §1284(e), Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 980.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2005—Pub. L. 109–58 substituted "subchapter II" for "section 824j, 824k, 824l, or 824m of this title" in subsecs. (a) and (b) and "$1,000,000" for "$10,000" in subsec. (b).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

State Authorities; Construction

Nothing in this section to be construed as affecting or intending to affect, or in any way to interfere with, authority of any State or local government relating to environmental protection or siting of facilities, see section 731 of Pub. L. 102–486, set out as a note under section 796 of this title.

§825p. Jurisdiction of offenses; enforcement of liabilities and duties

The District Courts of the United States, 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 chapter 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 chapter or any rule, regulation, or order thereunder. Any criminal proceeding shall be brought in the district wherein any act or transaction constituting the violation occurred. Any suit or action to enforce any liability or duty created by, or to enjoin any violation of, this chapter or any rule, regulation, or order thereunder may be brought in any such district or in the district wherein the defendant is an inhabitant, and process in such cases may be served wherever the defendant may be found. Judgments and decrees so rendered shall be subject to review as provided in sections 1254, 1291, and 1292 of title 28. No costs shall be assessed against the Commission in any judicial proceeding by or against the Commission under this chapter.

(June 10, 1920, ch. 285, pt. III, §317, as added Aug. 26, 1935, ch. 687, title II, §213, 49 Stat. 862; amended June 25, 1936, ch. 804, 49 Stat. 1921; June 25, 1948, ch. 646, §32(b), 62 Stat. 991; May 24, 1949, ch. 139, §127, 63 Stat. 107.)

Editorial Notes

Codification

As originally enacted, this section contained reference to the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia. Act June 25, 1936, substituted "the district court of the United States for the District of Columbia" for "the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia", and act June 25, 1948, as amended by act May 24, 1949, substituted "United States District Court for the District of Columbia" for "district court of the United States for the District of Columbia". However, the words "United States District Court for the District of Columbia" have been deleted entirely as superfluous in view of section 132(a) of Title 28, Judiciary and Judicial Procedure, which states that "There shall be in each judicial district a district court which shall be a court of record known as the United States District Court for the district", and section 88 of Title 28 which states that "the District of Columbia constitutes one judicial district".

"Sections 1254, 1291, and 1292 of title 28", referred to in text, were substituted for "sections 128 and 240 of the Judicial Code, as amended (U.S.C. title 28, secs. 225 and 347)" on authority of act June 25, 1948, ch. 646, 62 Stat. 869, the first section of which enacted Title 28, Judiciary and Judicial Procedure.

§825q. Repealed. Pub. L. 109–58, title XII, §1277(a), Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 978

Section, act June 10, 1920, ch. 285, pt. III, §318, as added Aug. 26, 1935, ch. 687, title II, §213, 49 Stat. 863, related to conflict of jurisdiction.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of Repeal

Repeal effective 6 months after Aug. 8, 2005, with provisions relating to effect of compliance with certain regulations approved and made effective prior to such date, see section 1274 of Pub. L. 109–58, set out as an Effective Date note under section 16451 of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare.

§825q–1. Office of Public Participation

(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 Director shall be appointed by the Chairman with the approval of the Commission.

(B) The Director shall be responsible for the discharge of the functions and duties of the Office. The Director shall be compensated at a rate of pay not greater than the maximum rate of pay prescribed for a senior executive in the Senior Executive Service under section 5382 of title 5.

(3) The Director may appoint, and assign the duties of, employees of such Office, and with the concurrence of the Commission he may fix the compensation of such employees and procure temporary and intermittent services to the same extent as is authorized under section 3109 of title 5.

(b)(1) The Director shall coordinate assistance to the public with respect to authorities exercised by the Commission. The Director shall also coordinate assistance available to persons intervening or participating or proposing to intervene or participate in proceedings before the Commission.

(2) The Commission may, under rules promulgated by it, provide compensation for reasonable attorney's fees, expert witness fees, and other costs of intervening or participating in any proceeding 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 compensation 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 proceeding without receipt of compensation constitutes a significant 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.

(June 10, 1920, ch. 285, pt. III, §319, as added Pub. L. 95–617, title II, §212, Nov. 9, 1978, 92 Stat. 3148; amended Pub. L. 117–58, div. D, title IV, §40432, Nov. 15, 2021, 135 Stat. 1049.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2021—Subsec. (a)(2)(A). Pub. L. 117–58, §40432(1)(A), struck out third sentence which read as follows: "The Director may be removed during his term of office by the Chairman, with the approval of the Commission, only for inefficiency, neglect of duty, or malfeasance in office."

Subsec. (a)(2)(B). Pub. L. 117–58, §40432(1)(B), struck out first sentence which provided for a 4-year term for the Director and substituted "The Director shall be compensated at a rate of pay not greater than the maximum rate of pay prescribed for a senior executive in the Senior Executive Service under section 5382 of title 5." for "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."

Subsec. (b)(4). Pub. L. 117–58, §40432(2), struck out par. (4) which read as follows: "There are authorized 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."

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Wage Rate Requirements

For provisions relating to rates of wages to be paid to laborers and mechanics on projects for construction, alteration, or repair work funded under div. D or an amendment by div. D of Pub. L. 117–58, including authority of Secretary of Labor, see section 18851 of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare.

References in Other Laws to GS–16, 17, or 18 Pay Rates

References in laws to the rates of pay for GS–16, 17, or 18, or to maximum rates of pay under the General Schedule, to be considered references to rates payable under specified sections of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees, see section 529 [title I, §101(c)(1)] of Pub. L. 101–509, set out in a note under section 5376 of Title 5.

§825r. Separability

If any provision of this chapter, or the application of such provision to any person or circumstance, shall be held invalid, the remainder of the chapter, and the application of such provision to persons or circumstances other than those as to which it is held invalid, shall not be affected thereby.

(June 10, 1920, ch. 285, pt. III, §320, formerly §319, as added Aug. 26, 1935, ch. 687, title II, §213, 49 Stat. 863, and renumbered §320, Pub. L. 95–617, title II, §212, Nov. 9, 1978, 92 Stat. 3148.)

§825s. Sale of electric power from reservoir projects; rate schedules; preference in sale; construction of transmission lines; disposition of moneys

Electric power and energy generated at reservoir projects under the control of the Department of the Army and in the opinion of the Secretary of the Army not required in the operation of such projects shall be delivered to the Secretary of Energy who shall transmit and dispose of such power and energy in such manner as to encourage the most widespread use thereof at the lowest possible rates to consumers consistent with sound business principles, the rate schedules to become effective upon confirmation and approval by the Secretary of Energy. Rate schedules shall be drawn having regard to the recovery (upon the basis of the application of such rate schedules to the capacity of the electric facilities of the projects) of the cost of producing and transmitting such electric energy, including the amortization of the capital investment allocated to power over a reasonable period of years. Preference in the sale of such power and energy shall be given to public bodies and cooperatives. The Secretary of Energy is authorized, from funds to be appropriated by the Congress, to construct or acquire, by purchase or other agreement, only such transmission lines and related facilities as may be necessary in order to make the power and energy generated at said projects available in wholesale quantities for sale on fair and reasonable terms and conditions to facilities owned by the Federal Government, public bodies, cooperatives, and privately owned companies. All moneys received from such sales shall be deposited in the Treasury of the United States as miscellaneous receipts.

(Dec. 22, 1944, ch. 665, §5, 58 Stat. 890; July 26, 1947, ch. 343, title II, §205(a), 61 Stat. 501; Pub. L. 95–91, title III, §§301(b), 302(a)(1), Aug. 4, 1977, 91 Stat. 578.)

Editorial Notes

Codification

Section was not enacted as part of the Federal Power Act which generally comprises this chapter.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Change of Name

Department of War designated Department of the Army and title of Secretary of War changed to Secretary of the Army by section 205(a) of act July 26, 1947, ch. 343, title II, 61 Stat. 501. Section 205(a) of act July 26, 1947, was repealed by section 53 of act Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 641. Section 1 of act Aug. 10, 1956, enacted "Title 10, Armed Forces" which in sections 3010 to 3013 continued military Department of the Army under administrative supervision of Secretary of the Army.

Transfer of Functions

"Secretary of Energy" substituted in text for "Secretary of the Interior" in two places and for "Federal Power Commission" pursuant to Pub. L. 95–91, §§301(b), 302(a)(1), which are classified to sections 7151(b) and 7152(a)(1) of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare.

Functions of Secretary of the Interior under this section transferred to Secretary of Energy by section 7152(a)(1) of Title 42.

The Federal Power Commission was terminated, and its functions, personnel, property, funds, etc., were transferred to the Secretary of Energy (except for certain functions which were transferred to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission) by sections 7151(b), 7171(a), 7172(a), 7291, and 7293 of Title 42.

Section as Unaffected by Submerged Lands Act

Provisions of this section as not amended, modified or repealed by the Submerged Lands Act [43 U.S.C. 1301 et seq.], see section 1303 of Title 43, Public Lands.

Executive Documents

Transfer of Functions

Executive and administrative functions of Federal Power Commission, with certain reservations, transferred to Chairman of such Commission, with authority vested in him to authorize their performance by any officer, employee, or administrative unit under his jurisdiction, by Reorg. Plan No. 9 of 1950, §§1, 2, eff. May 24, 1950, 15 F.R. 3175, 64 Stat. 1265, set out as a note under section 792 of this title.

§825s–1. Southwestern area sale and transmission of electric power; disposition of receipts; creation of continuing fund; use of fund

All receipts from the transmission and sale of electric power and energy under the provisions of section 825s of this title, generated or purchased in the southwestern power area, shall be covered into the Treasury of the United States as miscellaneous receipts, except that the Treasury shall set up and maintain from such receipts a continuing fund of $300,000, including the sum of $100,000 in the continuing fund established under the Administrator of the Southwestern Power Administration in the First Supplemental National Defense Appropriation Act, 1944 (57 Stat. 621), which shall be transferred to the fund established; and said fund of $300,000 shall be placed to the credit of the Secretary and shall be subject to check by him to defray emergency expenses necessary to insure continuity of electric service and continuous operation of the facilities, and to cover all costs in connection with the purchase of electric power and energy and rentals for the use of facilities for the transmission and distribution of electric power and energy to public bodies, cooperatives, and privately owned companies: Provided, That expenditures from this fund to cover such costs in connection with the purchase of electric power and energy and rentals for the use of facilities are to be made only in such amounts as may be approved annually in appropriation Acts.

(Oct. 12, 1949, ch. 680, title I, §101, 63 Stat. 767; Aug. 31, 1951, ch. 375, title I, §101, 65 Stat. 249.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The First Supplemental National Defense Appropriation Act, 1944, referred to in text, was act Dec. 23, 1943, ch. 380, title I, §101, 57 Stat. 621, which was not classified to the Code.

Codification

Section was not enacted as part of the Federal Power Act which generally comprises this chapter.

Section as originally enacted contained a provision relating to maximum expenditures for the fiscal year 1952.

Amendments

1951—Act Aug. 31, 1951, inserted proviso.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Use of Fund To Pay for Purchase Power and Wheeling Expenses To Meet Contractual Obligations During Periods of Below-Average Hydropower Generation

Pub. L. 101–101, title III, Sept. 29, 1989, 103 Stat. 660, provided: "That the continuing fund established by the Act of October 12, 1949, c. 680, title I, section 101, as amended [16 U.S.C. 825s–1], shall also be available on an ongoing basis for paying for purchase power and wheeling expenses when the Administrator determines that such expenditures are necessary to meet contractual obligations for the sale and delivery of power during periods of below-average hydropower generation. Payments from the continuing fund shall be limited to the amount required to replace the generation deficiency, and only for the project where the deficiency occurred. Replenishment of the fund shall occur within twelve months of the month in which the funds were first expended."

§825s–2. Southeastern area sale and transmission of electric power; disposition of receipts; creation of continuing funds; use of fund

All receipts from the transmission and sale of electric power and energy under the provisions of section 825s of this title, generated or purchased in the southeastern power area, shall be covered into the Treasury of the United States as miscellaneous receipts, except that the Treasury shall set up and maintain from such receipts a continuing fund of $50,000, and said fund shall be placed to the credit of the Secretary, and shall be subject to check by him to defray emergency expenses necessary to insure continuity of electric service and continuous operation of Government facilities in said area.

(Aug. 31, 1951, ch. 375, title I, §101, 65 Stat. 249.)

Editorial Notes

Codification

Section was not enacted as part of the Federal Power Act which generally comprises this chapter.

§825s–3. Southwestern area sale at uniform systemwide rates of electric power over transmission lines constructed with appropriated funds or used under contractual arrangements

Power and energy marketed by the Southwestern Power Administration pursuant to section 825s of this title, shall be sold at uniform systemwide rates, without discrimination between customers to whom the Southwestern Power Administration delivers such power and energy by means of transmission lines or facilities constructed with appropriated funds, and customers to whom the Southwestern Power Administration delivers such power and energy by means of transmission lines or facilities, the use of which is acquired by lease, wheeling, or other contractual arrangements.

(Pub. L. 95–456, §1, Oct. 13, 1978, 92 Stat. 1230.)

Editorial Notes

Codification

Section was not enacted as part of the Federal Power Act which generally comprises this chapter.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Pub. L. 95–456, §2, Oct. 13, 1978, 92 Stat. 1230, provided that: "This Act [enacting this section] shall not become effective until Contract No. 14–02–00001–1002, effective August 1, 1962, between the United States of America and Associated Electric Cooperative, Inc., Springfield, Missouri, has been amended in a manner mutually agreeable to the parties thereto."

§825s–4. Southwestern Power Administration; deposit and availability of advance payments

Notwithstanding section 3302 of title 31, beginning in fiscal year 2005 and thereafter, such funds as are received by the Southwestern Power Administration from any State, municipality, corporation, association, firm, district, or individual as advance payment for work that is associated with Southwestern's transmission facilities, consistent with that authorized in section 825s of this title, shall be credited to this account and be available until expended.

(Pub. L. 108–447, div. C, title III, Dec. 8, 2004, 118 Stat. 2956.)

Editorial Notes

Codification

Section was enacted as part of the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act, 2005, and also as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2005, and not as part of the Federal Power Act which generally comprises this chapter. Section is based on the proviso in the paragraph under the headings "POWER MARKETING ADMINISTRATIONS" and "Operation and Maintenance, Southwestern Power Administration" in title III of div. C of Pub. L. 108–447.

Prior Provisions

Provisions similar to those in this section were contained in the following prior appropriation act:

Pub. L. 108–137, title III, Dec. 1, 2003, 117 Stat. 1858.

§825s–5. Southeastern Power Administration; deposit and availability of advance payments

Notwithstanding the provisions of section 3302 of title 31, beginning in fiscal year 2008 and thereafter, such funds as are received by the Southeastern Power Administration from any State, municipality, corporation, association, firm, district, or individual as advance payment for work that is associated with Southeastern's Operations and Maintenance, consistent with that authorized in section 825s of this title, shall be credited to this account and be available until expended.

(Pub. L. 110–161, div. C, title III, Dec. 26, 2007, 121 Stat. 1965.)

Editorial Notes

Codification

Section was enacted as part of the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2008, and also as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2008, and not as part of the Federal Power Act which generally comprises this chapter.

§825s–6. Southeastern Power Administration; deposit and availability of discretionary offsetting collections

Notwithstanding the provisions of section 3302 of title 31 and section 825s of this title, all funds collected by the Southeastern Power Administration that are applicable to the repayment of the annual expenses of this account in this and subsequent fiscal years shall be credited to this account as discretionary offsetting collections for the sole purpose of funding such expenses, with such funds remaining available until expended: Provided further, That for purposes of this appropriation, annual expenses means expenditures that are generally recovered in the same year that they are incurred (excluding purchase power and wheeling expenses).

(Pub. L. 111–85, title III, Oct. 28, 2009, 123 Stat. 2869.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

This fiscal year, referred to in text, is the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2010.

Codification

Section was enacted as part of the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010, and not as part of the Federal Power Act which generally comprises this chapter.

§825s–7. Southwestern Power Administration; deposit and availability of discretionary offsetting collections

Notwithstanding section 3302 of title 31 and section 825s of this title, all funds collected by the Southwestern Power Administration that are applicable to the repayment of the annual expenses of this account in this and subsequent fiscal years shall be credited to this account as discretionary offsetting collections for the sole purpose of funding such expenses, with such funds remaining available until expended: Provided further, That for purposes of this appropriation, annual expenses means expenditures that are generally recovered in the same year that they are incurred (excluding purchase power and wheeling expenses).

(Pub. L. 111–85, title III, Oct. 28, 2009, 123 Stat. 2869.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

This fiscal year, referred to in text, is the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2010.

Codification

Section was enacted as part of the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010, and not as part of the Federal Power Act which generally comprises this chapter.

§825s–8. Southeastern Power Administration: rates of basic and premium pay

During fiscal year 2020 and each fiscal year thereafter, notwithstanding any provision of title 5 relating to classification or rates of pay, the Southeastern Power Administration shall pay any power system dispatcher employed by the Administration a rate of basic pay and premium pay based on those prevailing for similar occupations in the electric power industry. Basic pay and premium pay may not be paid under this section to any individual during a calendar year so as to result in a total rate in excess of the rate of basic pay for level V of the Executive Schedule (section 5316 of such title).

(Pub. L. 116–94, div. C, title III, §310, Dec. 20, 2019, 133 Stat. 2681.)

§825t. Utilization of power revenues

No power revenues on any project shall be distributed as profits, before or after retirement of the project debt, and nothing contained in any previous appropriation Act shall be deemed to have authorized such distribution: Provided, That the application of such revenues to the cost of operation, maintenance, and debt service of the irrigation system of the project, or to other purposes in aid of such irrigation system, shall not be construed to be such a distribution.

(July 1, 1946, ch. 529, §1, 60 Stat. 366.)

Editorial Notes

Codification

Section was not enacted as part of the Federal Power Act which generally comprises this chapter.

§825u. Interest rate on power bonds held by Administrator of General Services

The Administrator of General Services or his successor in interest is authorized to reduce the rate of interest to 2½ per centum on all power bonds held by such Agency issued by States, public authorities, counties, municipalities, and other subdivisions of State governments for power projects financed by the Public Works Administration.

(July 31, 1946, ch. 710, §6, 60 Stat. 744; June 30, 1949, ch. 288, title I, §103(a), 63 Stat. 380.)

Editorial Notes

Codification

This section was not enacted as part of the Federal Power Act which generally comprises this chapter.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Transfer of Functions

Functions of Federal Works Agency and of all agencies thereof, together with functions of Federal Works Administrator, transferred to Administrator of General Services by section 103(a) of act June 30, 1949. Both Federal Works Agency and office of Federal Works Administrator abolished by section 103(b) of said act. See Historical and Revision Notes under section 303(b) of Title 40, Public Buildings, Property, and Works. Transfer of functions of Federal Works Agency effective July 1, 1949, see section 605, formerly §505, of act June 30, 1949, ch. 288, 63 Stat. 403; renumbered by act Sept. 5, 1950, ch. 849, §6(a), (b), 64 Stat. 583. Section 303(b) of Title 40 was amended generally by Pub. L. 109–313, §2(a)(1), Oct. 6, 2006, 120 Stat. 1734, and, as so amended, no longer relates to the Federal Works Agency and Commissioner of Public Buildings. See 2006 Amendment note under section 303 of Title 40.

Executive Documents

Transfer of Functions

Functions of Public Works Administration transferred to Federal Works Administrator by Ex. Ord. No. 9357, June 30, 1943, 8 F.R. 9041.

SUBCHAPTER IV—STATE AND MUNICIPAL WATER CONSERVATION FACILITIES

§828. Facilitation of development and construction of water conservation facilities; exemption from certain Federal requirements

In order to facilitate the development and construction by States and municipalities of water conservation facilities, certain requirements in the Federal Power Act [16 U.S.C. 791a et seq.] are made inapplicable to States and municipalities as provided in this subchapter.

(Aug. 15, 1953, ch. 503, §1, 67 Stat. 587.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The Federal Power Act, referred to in text, is act June 10, 1920, ch. 285, 41 Stat. 1063, which is classified generally to this chapter. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see section 791a of this title and Tables.

Codification

Section was not enacted as part of the Federal Power Act which generally comprises this chapter.

§828a. Definitions

The words used in this subchapter shall have the same meanings ascribed to them in the Federal Power Act [16 U.S.C. 791a et seq.].

(Aug. 15, 1953, ch. 503, §2, 67 Stat. 587.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The Federal Power Act, referred to in text, is act June 10, 1920, ch. 285, 41 Stat. 1063, which is classified generally to this chapter. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see section 791a of this title and Tables.

Codification

Section was not enacted as part of the Federal Power Act which generally comprises this chapter.

§828b. Exemption from formula, books and records, and project cost statement requirements; annual charges

Section 807 of this title pertaining to the taking over by the United States of any project upon or after the expiration of a license, and sections 825 and 825a of this title requiring certain records and accounting procedures and section 797(b) of this title requiring the preparation and filing of the statement of actual legitimate original cost of a project, shall not be applicable to any project owned by a State or municipality, and such rights and requirements shall not exist under any license heretofore or hereafter granted to any State or municipality. The Secretary of Energy in determining the amount of annual charges applicable to any such project may determine the annual charges with reference to the actual cost of services incurred by the Secretary with respect to the project.

(Aug. 15, 1953, ch. 503, §3, 67 Stat. 587; Pub. L. 86–124, July 31, 1959, 73 Stat. 271; Pub. L. 95–91, title III, §301(b), Aug. 4, 1977, 91 Stat. 578.)

Editorial Notes

Codification

Section was not enacted as part of the Federal Power Act which generally comprises this chapter.

Amendments

1959—Pub. L. 86–124 struck out "except that the provisions of sections 797(b) and 807 of this title shall continue to be applicable to any license issued for a hydroelectric development in the International Rapids section of the Saint Lawrence River" in first sentence.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Transfer of Functions

"Secretary of Energy" and "Secretary" substituted in text for "Federal Power Commission" and "Commission", respectively, pursuant to Pub. L. 95–91, §301(b), which is classified to section 7151(b) of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare.

The Federal Power Commission was terminated, and its functions, personnel, property, funds, etc., were transferred to the Secretary of Energy (except for certain functions which were transferred to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission) by sections 7151(b), 7171(a), 7172(a), 7291, and 7293 of Title 42.

§828c. Applicability of this subchapter

Except as herein provided, the provisions of this subchapter shall not be construed as repealing or affecting any of the provisions of the Federal Power Act [16 U.S.C. 791a et seq.].

(Aug. 15, 1953, ch. 503, §4, 67 Stat. 587.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The Federal Power Act, referred to in text, is act June 10, 1920, ch. 285, 41 Stat. 1063, which is classified generally to this chapter. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see section 791a of this title and Tables.

Codification

Section was not enacted as part of the Federal Power Act which generally comprises this chapter.