| If
you have any questions about these activities, please contact the Task
Force at 202-586-3464, email to energytaskforce@hq.doe.gov,
or via fax at 202-586-2999.
Memorandum
of Understanding on Coordination of Environmental Reviews for Pipeline
Repair Projects
This
memorandum enhances coordination of the processes through which
agencies with environmental and historic preservation review responsibilities
under various statutes meet those responsibilities in connection with
the authorizations required to repair natural gas and hazardous liquid
pipelines that have been identified by pipeline operators as in need
of repair on a timely basis to protect life, health or physical property.
The MOU supports the development of a comprehensive, "one-stop"
information system to allow pipeline operators and agencies alike access
to the best available information on pipeline testing and repair schedules,
agency official contact information, natural resource conservation needs,
and recommendations on management practices for testing and repair.
Memorandum
of Understanding on Deep Water Ports
On May
20, 2004, the final Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for inter-agency
coordination on licensing of Deepwater Ports, pursuant to the Deepwater
Port Act, was signed and distributed. Agencies involved: USACOE, DOC,
DOD, DOE, Homeland Security, DOI, DOS, DOT, EPA, FERC and CEQ.
Streamlining
the Department of the Interior Administrative Appeals Processes - Ongoing
The Task
Force heard concerns about the administrative review process for energy-related
projects from a number of sources. As a result, the Task Force worked
with the Department of the Interior to develop both a strategic plan
to set into place appropriate time limits on appeal decisions for new
cases filed with the Interior Board of Land Appeals (IBLA), and a tactical
plan to significantly reduce the existing backlog of appeals at IBLA.
Task Force staff prepared the following charts to graphically represent
pending and completed appeals at the IBLA.
Energy
Right-of-way Permitting Workshop - October 8-9, 2002
Federal
Agencies Agree on Improved Pipeline Permitting Process - October 2002
This agreement
will improve coordination and cooperation on the permitting of natural
gas transmission pipelines. Ten federal agencies have agreed to initiate
discussions earlier in the permitting process and to perform simultaneous
rather than concurrent reviews, which will foster more effective decision
making and compliance with environmental and historic preservation laws.
Summary
of Task Force Effort to Date - September 2002
Protecting
Power Lines from Wildfires - July 2002
Western
fires resulted in utilities and transmission providers being forced
to take lines out of service due to fire threat. This placed existing
pressure on an already strained system, increasing the likelihood of
power outages, brownouts and price spikes to western consumers. Properly
maintained rights of way under transmission lines on federal lands is
a key preventive measure the federal government could take to reduce
fire risk. The letter was sent to encourage relevant agencies to take
such appropriate steps to protect transmission lines.
Transmission
Siting and Permitting Protocol - June 2002
The Task
Force actively participated in the drafting of the "Protocol among
the Members of the Western Governors' Association, the US Department
of the Interior, the US Department of Agriculture, the US Department
of Energy, and the Council on Environmental Quality Governing the Siting
and Permitting of Interstate Electric Transmission Lines in the Western
United States." The protocol was signed on June 23, 2002.
Crossborder
Interagency Working Group - Spring 2002
Open
Houses - November/December 2001
The
Task Force held open house hours twice a week during the months of November
and December, 2001. This time was available for further elaboration on
comments already submitted or for others who wished to share their views.
Request
for Public Comment - August-October 2001
Last modified
August 26, 2004 |
