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2019 Conference

May 21–23, 2019

Westin Arlington Gateway, Arlington, VA, USA

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104 Citizen Involvement in Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Proceedings

Wednesday, May 22, 2019 at 8:00 AM–8:50 AM EDT
Prefunction ACD
Key Words

Citizen participation, FERC, Right to be heard, Pipelines

Short Description

Citizen participation is required as the United States government makes decisions. The Right to be Heard is a basic consumer right. Problems at Standing Rock because of the Keystone XL Pipeline led to international awareness that current policies disadvantage those who attempt to stand up for their own land when the natural gas industry seeks to use it for its infrastructure. In recent years, citizens have become increasingly frustrated with decisions made by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). Citizens affected by pipeline prjoects report lack of effective involvement in decision making processes and no consideration of the landowners' needs for their own land by pipeline companies.  This study evaluates the citizen participation process used by FERC as it approved certificates for two natural gas transmission pipelines between 2014 and 2017. A scorecard and rating system were developed. The scores for the processes used were 42% and 44%; scores that any school would label "failing." Recommendations are made for policy changes including establishing the Office of Public Participation required by law in 1978 and developing true consumer / landowner involvement  processes.

First & Corresponding Author

Irene Leech, Virginia Tech
Authors in the order to be printed

Irene Leech

Additional Authors

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