Collapse to view only § 900.13 - Severability.
- § 900.1 - Purpose and scope.
- § 900.2 - Definitions.
- § 900.3 - Applicability to other projects.
- § 900.4 - Purpose and scope of IIP Process.
- § 900.5 - Initiation of IIP Process.
- § 900.6 - Project proponent resource reports.
- § 900.7 - Standard and project-specific schedules.
- § 900.8 - IIP Process review meeting.
- § 900.9 - IIP Process close-out meeting.
- § 900.10 - Consolidated administrative docket.
- § 900.11 - NEPA lead agency and selection of NEPA joint lead agency.
- § 900.12 - Environmental review.
- § 900.13 - Severability.
§ 900.1 - Purpose and scope.
(a) Pursuant to section 216(h) of the Federal Power Act (16 U.S.C. 824p(h)), the Department of Energy (DOE) establishes the Coordinated Interagency Transmission Authorizations and Permits Program (CITAP Program) under this part to coordinate the review and processes related to Federal authorizations necessary to site a proposed electric transmission facility. Pursuant to section 216(h)(4)(A), this part establishes the mechanism by which DOE will set prompt and binding intermediate milestones and ultimate deadlines for the processes related to deciding whether to issue such authorizations. In addition, as the lead agency and in collaboration with any National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) joint lead agency and in consultation with the relevant Federal entities, as applicable, DOE will prepare a single environmental review document, which will be designed to serve the needs of all relevant Federal agencies and inform all Federal authorization decisions on the proposed electric transmission project.
(b) This part provides a process for the timely submission of information needed for Federal decisions related to authorizations for siting proposed electric transmission projects. This part seeks to ensure that these projects are developed consistent with the nation's environmental laws, including laws that address endangered and threatened species, critical habitats, and cultural and historic properties. This part provides a framework, called the Integrated Interagency Pre-Application (IIP) Process, by which DOE will coordinate submission of materials necessary for Federal authorizations and related environmental reviews required under Federal law to site proposed electric transmission facilities, and integrates the IIP Process into the CITAP Program.
(c) This part describes the timing and procedures for the IIP Process, which should be initiated prior to a project proponent's submission of any application for a required Federal authorization. The IIP Process provides for timely and focused pre-application meetings with relevant Federal and non-Federal entities. In addition, the IIP Process facilitates early identification of potential siting constraints and opportunities. The IIP Process promotes thorough and consistent stakeholder engagement by a project proponent. At the close-out of each IIP Process, DOE will establish the schedule for all Federal reviews and authorizations required to site a proposed electric transmission facility, in coordination with the relevant Federal entities.
(d) This part improves the Federal permitting process by facilitating the early submission, compilation, and documentation of information needed for coordinated review by relevant Federal entities under the National Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.). This part also facilitates expeditious action on necessary Federal authorizations by ensuring that relevant Federal entities coordinate their consideration of those applications and by providing non-Federal entities the opportunity to coordinate their non-Federal permitting and environmental reviews with the reviews of the relevant Federal entities.
(e) This part facilitates improved and earlier coordination of and consultation between relevant Federal entities, relevant non-Federal entities, and others pursuant to section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (54 U.S.C. 306108) (NHPA) and its implementing regulations found at 36 CFR part 800. Under this part, DOE may determine it has an undertaking with the potential to affect historic properties and may, at that time, authorize a project proponent, as a CITAP applicant, to initiate section 106 consultation for the undertaking consistent with 36 CFR 800.2(c)(4). Prior to that determination, this part requires project proponents to gather initial information and make recommendations relevant to the section 106 process to the extent possible. This part also establishes DOE as lead for the section 106 process, consistent with DOE's role as lead or joint lead agency for purposes of NEPA, in order to maximize opportunities for coordination between the NEPA and section 106 processes. Federal entities remain responsible for government-to-government consultation with Indian Tribes (and government-to-sovereign consultation in the context of Native Hawaiian relations) and for any findings and determinations required by and reserved to Federal agencies in 36 CFR part 800.
(f) This part applies only to qualifying projects as defined by § 900.2.
(g) Participation in the IIP Process does not alter any requirements to obtain necessary Federal authorizations for proposed electric transmission projects. Nor does this part alter any responsibilities of the relevant Federal entities for environmental review or consultation under applicable law.
(h) The Director may waive any requirement imposed on a project proponent under this part if, in the Director's discretion, the Director determines that the requirement is unnecessary, duplicative, or impracticable under the circumstances relevant to the proposed electric transmission project. Where the principal project developer is itself a Federal entity that would be otherwise expected to prepare an environmental review document for the project, the Director shall consider modifications to the requirements under this part as may be necessary under the circumstances.
§ 900.2 - Definitions.
As used in this part:
Analysis area means a geographical area established for a resource report at the IIP Process initial meeting and modified at the IIP Process review meeting, if applicable.
Authorization means any license, permit, approval, finding, determination, or other administrative decision required under Federal, Tribal, State, or local law to site a proposed electric transmission facility, including special use authorization, certifications, opinions, or other approvals.
Communities of Interest means the following communities that could be affected by a proposed electric transmission project: disadvantaged communities; rural communities; Tribal communities; indigenous communities; geographically proximate communities; communities with environmental justice concerns; and energy communities.
Director means the Director of the DOE Grid Deployment Office, that person's delegate, or another DOE official designated to perform the functions of this part by the Secretary of Energy.
Federal authorization means any authorization required under Federal law.
Federal entity means any Federal agency or department.
Indian Tribe has the same meaning as provided by 25 U.S.C. 5304(e).
Mitigation approach means an approach that applies a conceptual plan to identify appropriate measures to avoid, minimize, or compensate for potential impacts to resources from a proposed electric transmission project, consistent with 40 CFR 1508.1(s) or any successor regulation. A mitigation approach identifies the needs and baseline conditions of targeted resources, potential impacts from the proposed project, cumulative impacts of past and reasonably foreseeable future disturbances to those resources, and future disturbance trends, then uses this information to identify priorities for measures across the relevant area. Such an approach includes full consideration of the conditions of additionality (meaning that the benefits of a compensatory mitigation measure improve upon the baseline conditions in a manner that is demonstrably new and would not have occurred without the mitigation measure) and durability (meaning that the effectiveness of a mitigation measure is sustained for the duration of the associated direct and indirect impacts).
MOU signatory agency means a Federal entity that has entered into the currently effective memorandum of understanding (MOU) under section 216(h)(7)(B)(i) of the Federal Power Act, such as the interagency MOU executed in May 2023, titled “Memorandum of Understanding among the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Department of Commerce, Department of Defense, Department of Energy, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Council on Environmental Quality, the Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council, Department of the Interior, and the Office of Management and Budget Regarding Facilitating Federal Authorizations for Electric Transmission Facilities.”
NEPA joint lead agency means the Federal entity designated under § 900.11.
Non-Federal entity means an Indian Tribe, multi-State governmental entity, State agency, or local government agency.
Participating agencies means:
(1) The Department of Agriculture (USDA);
(2) The Department of Commerce;
(3) The Department of Defense (DOD);
(4) The Department of Energy;
(5) The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA);
(6) The Council on Environmental Quality;
(7) The Office of Management and Budget;
(8) The Department of the Interior (DOI);
(9) The Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council (FPISC);
(10) Other agencies and offices as the Secretary of Energy may from time to time invite to participate; and
(11) The following independent agencies, to the extent consistent with their statutory authority and obligations, and determined by the chair or executive director of each agency, as appropriate:
(i) The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC); and
(ii) The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation.
Potentially affected landowner means an owner of a real property interest that is potentially affected directly (e.g., crossed or used) or indirectly (e.g., changed in use) by a project right-of-way, potential route, or proposed ancillary or access site, as identified in § 900.6.
Project area means the area located between the two end points of the proposed electric transmission facility containing the study corridors selected by the project proponent for in-depth consideration for the proposed project and the immediate surroundings of the end points of the proposed facility. The project area does not necessarily coincide with “permit area,” “area of potential effect,” “action area,” or other terms specific to a certain type of regulatory review.
Project proponent means a person or entity who initiates the IIP Process in anticipation of seeking a Federal authorization for a proposed electric transmission project.
Qualifying project means:
(1) A proposed electric transmission line and its attendant facilities:
(i) That will either be a high-voltage (230 kV or above) line or a regionally or nationally significant line, as determined by DOE based upon relevant factors, including but not limited to, reduction in congestion costs for generating and delivering energy, mitigation of weather and variable generation uncertainty, and enhanced diversity of supply;
(ii) Which is expected to be used, in whole or in part, for the transmission of electric energy in interstate or international commerce for sale at wholesale;
(iii) Which is expected to require preparation of an environmental impact statement (EIS) pursuant to NEPA to inform an agency decision on a Federal authorization;
(iv) Which is not proposed for authorization under section 8(p) of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1337(p));
(v) Which is not seeking a construction or modification permit from FERC pursuant to section 216(b) of the Federal Power Act (16 U.S.C. 824p(b)); and
(vi) Which will not be wholly located within the Electric Reliability Council of Texas interconnection; or
(2) Any other proposed electric transmission facility that is approved by the Director under the process set out in § 900.3.
Relevant Federal entity means a Federal entity with jurisdictional interests that may have an effect on a proposed electric transmission project, that is responsible for issuing a Federal authorization for the proposed project, that has relevant expertise with respect to environmental and other issues pertinent to or potentially affected by the proposed project, or that provides funding for the proposed project. The term includes participating agencies. The term includes a Federal entity with either permitting or non-permitting authority; for example, those entities with which consultation or review must be completed before a project may commence, such as DOD for an examination of military test, training, or operational impacts.
Relevant non-Federal entity means a non-Federal entity with relevant expertise or jurisdiction within the project area, that is responsible for issuing an authorization for the proposed electric transmission project, that has relevant expertise with respect to environmental and other issues pertinent to or potentially affected by the proposed project, or that provides funding for the proposed project. The term includes an entity with either permitting or non-permitting authority, such as an Indian Tribe, Native Hawaiian Organization, or State or Tribal Historic Preservation Office with whom consultation must be completed in accordance with section 106 of the NHPA prior to approval of a permit, right-of-way, or other authorization required for a Federal authorization.
Route means an area along a linear path within which a proposed electric transmission facility could be sited that is:
(1) Wide enough to allow minor adjustments in the alignment of the proposed facility to avoid sensitive features or to accommodate potential engineering constraints; and
(2) Narrow enough to allow detailed study.
Stakeholder means any relevant non-Federal entity, interested non-governmental organization, potentially affected landowner, or other interested person or organization.
Study corridor means a contiguous area (not to exceed one mile in width) within the project area where potential routes or route segments may be considered for further study. A study corridor does not necessarily coincide with “permit area,” “area of potential effect,” “action area,” or other defined terms of art that are specific to types of regulatory review.
§ 900.3 - Applicability to other projects.
(a) Following the procedures set out in this section, the Director may determine that a proposed electric transmission facility that does not meet the description of a qualifying project under paragraph (1) of the definition in § 900.2 is a qualifying project under paragraph (2) of the definition.
(b) A requestor seeking DOE assistance under this part for a proposed electric transmission facility that does not meet the description of a qualifying project under paragraph (1) of the definition in § 900.2 must file a request for coordination with the Director. The request must contain:
(1) The legal name of the requester; its principal place of business; and the name, title, and mailing address of the person or persons to whom communications concerning the request for coordination are to be addressed;
(2) A concise description of the proposed facility sufficient to explain its scope and purpose;
(3) A list of anticipated relevant Federal entities involved in the proposed facility; and
(4) A list of anticipated relevant non-Federal entities involved in the proposed facility, including any agency serial or docket numbers for pending applications.
(c) Not later than 30 calendar days after the date that the Director receives a request under this section, the Director, in consultation with the relevant Federal entities, will determine if the proposed electric transmission facility is a qualifying project under this part and will notify the project proponent in writing of one of the following:
(1) If accepted, that the proposed facility is a qualifying project and the project proponent must submit an initiation request as set forth under § 900.5; or
(2) If not accepted, that the proposed facility is not a qualifying project, a justification of that determination, and an indication that the project proponent must follow the procedures of each relevant Federal entity that has jurisdiction over the proposed facility without DOE performing a coordinating function.
(d) In making the determination whether a proposed electric transmission facility is a qualifying project, the Director may consider:
(1) Whether the proposed facility would benefit from CITAP Program coordination;
(2) Whether the proposed facility would result in reduced congestion costs for generating and delivering energy;
(3) Whether the proposed facility would result in mitigation of weather and variable generation uncertainty;
(4) Whether the proposed facility would result in an enhanced diversity of supply; and
(5) Any other relevant factors, as determined by the Director.
(e) For a proposed facility that is seeking a construction or modification permit pursuant to section 216(b) of the Federal Power Act, DOE may only consider a request for assistance under this section if the request under paragraph (b) of this section is consistent with Delegation Order No. S1-DEL-FERC-2006 or any similar, subsequent delegation that the Secretary may order.
(f) At the discretion of the MOU signatory agencies, this section may be applied to a proposed electric transmission facility proposed for authorization under section 8(p) of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, if the proposed authorization is independent of any generation project.
(g) This section does not apply to:
(1) A proposed electric transmission facility proposed to be authorized under section 8(p) of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act in conjunction with a generation project; or
(2) A proposed electric transmission facility wholly located within the Electric Reliability Council of Texas interconnection.
§ 900.4 - Purpose and scope of IIP Process.
(a) The Integrated Interagency Pre-Application (IIP) Process is intended for a project proponent who has identified potential study corridors or potential routes and the proposed locations of any intermediate substations for a proposed electric transmission project. To the extent possible, the project proponent should use the following criteria to identify potential study corridors and potential routes:
(1) Potential environmental, visual, historic, cultural, economic, social, or health effects or harm based on the proposed project or proposed siting, and anticipated constraints (for instance, pole height and corridor width based on line capacity to improve safety and resiliency of the project);
(2) Potential cultural resources, sacred sites, and historic properties that may be eligible for or listed in the National Register of Historic Places;
(3) Areas under (or potentially under) special protection by State or Federal statute and areas subject to a Federal entity or non-Federal entity decision that could potentially increase the time needed for project evaluation and siting a transmission line route. Such areas may include, but are not limited to, properties or sites that may be of traditional religious or cultural importance to Indian Tribes, National Scenic and Historic Trails, National Landscape Conservation System units managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Land and Water Conservation Fund lands, National Wildlife Refuges, national monuments, National Historic Landmarks, units of the National Park System, national marine sanctuaries, and marine national monuments;
(4) Opportunities to site potential routes through designated corridors, previously disturbed lands, and lands with existing infrastructure as a means of potentially reducing impacts and known conflicts as well as the time needed for affected Federal land managers to evaluate an application for a Federal authorization if the route is sited through such areas (e.g., colocation with existing infrastructure or location on previously disturbed lands, in energy corridors designated by the Department of the Interior or the Department of Agriculture under section 503 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (Pub. L. 94-579) or section 368 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (Pub. L. 109-58), existing rights-of-way, National Interest Electric Transmission Corridors designated under Federal Power Act section 216(a), or utility corridors identified in a land management plan);
(5) Potential constraints caused by impacts on military test, training, and operational missions, including impacts on installations, ranges, and airspace;
(6) Potential constraints caused by impacts on the United States' aviation system;
(7) Potential constraints caused by impacts to navigable waters of the United States; and
(8) Potential avoidance, minimization, offsetting, and compensatory (onsite and offsite) measures, developed through a mitigation approach to reduce or offset the potential impact of the proposed project to resources requiring mitigation.
(b) Participation in the IIP Process is a prerequisite for the coordination provided by DOE between relevant Federal entities, relevant non-Federal entities, and the project proponent.
(c) The IIP Process ensures early interaction between the project proponents, relevant Federal entities, and relevant non-Federal entities to enhance early understanding by those entities. Through the IIP Process, the project proponent will provide relevant Federal entities and relevant non-Federal entities with a clear description of the proposed electric transmission project, the project proponent's siting process, and the environmental and community setting being considered by the project proponent for siting the proposed electric transmission facility; and will coordinate with relevant Federal entities to develop resource reports that will serve as inputs, as appropriate, into the relevant Federal analyses and facilitate early identification of project issues.
(d) The IIP Process is an iterative process anchored by three meetings: the initial meeting, review meeting, and close-out meeting. These meetings, defined in §§ 900.5, 900.8 and 900.9, are milestones in the process and do not preclude any additional meetings or communications between the project proponent and the relevant Federal entities. The iterative nature of the process is provided for in procedures for evaluating the completeness of submitted materials and the suitability of materials for the relevant Federal entities' decision-making before each milestone.
(e) DOE, in exercising its responsibilities under this part, will communicate regularly with FERC, electric reliability organizations and electric transmission organizations approved by FERC, relevant Federal entities, and project proponents. DOE will use information technologies to provide opportunities for relevant Federal entities to participate remotely.
(f) DOE, in exercising its responsibilities under this part, will to the maximum extent practicable and consistent with Federal law, coordinate the IIP Process with any relevant non-Federal entities. DOE will use information technologies to provide opportunities and reduce burdens for relevant non-Federal entities to participate remotely.
(g) The Director may at any time require the project proponent to provide additional information necessary to resolve issues raised by the IIP Process.
(h) Pursuant to 10 CFR 1004.11, any person submitting information during the IIP Process that the person believes to be confidential and exempt by law from public disclosure should submit two well-marked copies, one marked “confidential” that includes all the information believed to be confidential, and one marked “non-confidential” with the information believed to be confidential deleted or redacted. DOE will make its own determination about the confidential status of the information and treat it according to its determination, in accordance with applicable law. The project proponent must request confidential treatment for all material filed with DOE containing non-public location, character, and ownership information about cultural resources.
(i) Pursuant to 10 CFR 1004.13, any person submitting information during the IIP Process that the person believes might contain Critical Electric Infrastructure Information (CEII) should submit a request for CEII designation of information.
§ 900.5 - Initiation of IIP Process.
(a) Initiation request. A project proponent shall submit an initiation request to DOE. The project proponent may decide when to submit the initiation request. The initiation request must include, based on best available information:
(1) A summary of the proposed electric transmission project, as described by paragraph (b) of this section;
(2) Associated maps, geospatial information, and studies (provided in electronic format), as described by paragraph (c) of this section;
(3) A project participation plan, as described by paragraph (d) of this section; and
(4) A statement regarding the proposed project's status pursuant to Title 41 of the Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act (FAST-41) (42 U.S.C. 4370m-2(b)(2)), as described by paragraph (e) of this section.
(b) Summary of the proposed project. The summary of the proposed electric transmission project may not exceed 10 single-spaced pages unless the project proponent requests a waiver of the page limit, including a rationale for the waiver, and DOE grants the waiver. The summary must include:
(1) The following information:
(i) The project proponent's legal name and principal place of business;
(ii) The project proponent's contact information and designated point(s) of contact;
(iii) Whether the project proponent is an individual, partnership, corporation, or other entity and, if applicable, the State laws under which the project proponent is organized or authorized; and
(iv) If the project proponent resides or has its principal office outside the United States, documentation related to designation by irrevocable power of attorney of an agent residing within the United States;
(2) A statement of the project proponent's interests and objectives;
(3) To the extent available, copies of or links to:
(i) Any regional electric transmission planning documents, regional reliability studies, regional congestion or other related studies that relate to the proposed project or the need for the proposed project; and
(ii) Any relevant interconnection requests;
(4) A description of potential study corridors and routes identified by the project proponent and a brief description of the evaluation criteria and methods used by the project proponent to identify and develop those corridors and routes;
(5) A brief description of the proposed project, including end points, voltage, ownership, intermediate substations if applicable, and, to the extent known, any information about constraints or flexibility with respect to the proposed project;
(6) Identification of any environmental and engineering firms and sub-contractors under contract to develop the proposed project;
(7) The project proponent's proposed schedule for filing necessary Federal and State applications, construction start date, and planned in-service date, assuming receipt of all necessary authorizations; and
(8) A list of anticipated relevant Federal entities and relevant non-Federal entities, including contact information for each Federal agency, State agency, Indian Tribe, or multi-State entity that is responsible for or has a role in issuing an authorization or environmental review for the proposed project.
(c) Maps, geospatial information, and studies. The initiation request must include maps, geospatial information, and studies in support of the information provided in the summary of the proposed project under paragraph (b) of this section. Maps must be of sufficient detail to identify the study corridors and potential routes. Project proponents must provide the maps, information, and studies as electronic data files that may be readily accessed by relevant Federal entities and relevant non-Federal entities. The maps, information, and studies described in this paragraph (c) must include:
(1) Location maps and plot plans to scale showing all major components, including a description of zoning and site availability for any permanent facilities; cultural resource location information in these materials should be submitted in accordance with § 900.4(h);
(2) A map of the project area showing potential study corridors and potential routes;
(3) Existing data or studies relevant to the summary of the proposed project; and
(4) Citations identifying sources, data, and analyses used to develop the summary of the proposed project.
(d) Project participation plan. The project participation plan, which may not exceed 10, single-spaced pages, summarizes the outreach that the project proponent conducted prior to submission of the initiation request, and describes the project proponent's planned outreach to communities of interest going forward. A supplemental appendix may be submitted to provide sufficient detail in addition to the narrative elements. The project participation plan must include:
(1) A summary of prior outreach to communities of interest and stakeholders including:
(i) A description of what work already has been done, including stakeholder and community outreach and public engagement, as well as any entities and organizations interested in the proposed electric transmission project;
(ii) A list of environmental, engineering, public affairs, other contractors or consultants employed by the proponent to facilitate public outreach;
(iii) A description of any materials provided to the public, such as environmental surveys or studies;
(iv) A description of the communities of interest identified and the process by which they were identified;
(v) A general description of the real property interests that would be impacted by the proposed project and the rights that the owners of those property interests would have under State law; and
(vi) A summary of comments received during these previous engagement activities, issues identified by stakeholders, communities of interest (including various resource issues, differing project alternative study corridors or routes, and revisions to routes), and responses provided to commenters, if applicable; and
(2) A public engagement plan, which must:
(i) Describe the project proponent's outreach plan and status of those activities, including planned future activities corresponding to each of the items or issues identified in paragraphs (d)(1)(i) through (vi) of this section, specifying the planned dates or frequency;
(ii) Describe the manner in which the project proponent will reach out to communities of interest about potential mitigation of concerns;
(iii) Describe planned outreach activities during the permitting process, including efforts to identify, and engage, individuals with limited English proficiency and linguistically isolated communities, and provide accommodations for individuals with accessibility needs; and
(iv) Discuss the specific tools and actions used by the project proponent to facilitate public communications and public information, including whether the project proponent will have a readily accessible, easily identifiable, single point of contact.
(e) FAST-41 statement. The FAST-41 statement required under paragraph (a) of this section must specify the status of the proposed electric transmission project pursuant to FAST-41 at the time of submission of the initiation request. The statement must either:
(1) State that the project proponent has sought FAST-41 coverage pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 4370m-2(a)(1); and state whether the Executive Director of the FPISC has created an entry on the Permitting Dashboard for the project as a covered project pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 4370m-2(b)(2)(A); or
(2) State that the project proponent elected not to apply to be a FAST-41 covered project at this time.
(f) Initiation request determination. Not later than 20 calendar days after the date that DOE receives an initiation request, DOE shall:
(1) Determine whether the initiation request meets the requirements of this section and, if not previously determined under § 900.3, whether the proposed electric transmission facility is a qualifying project;
(2) Identify the relevant Federal entities and relevant non-Federal entities and provide each with an electronic copy of the initiation request; and
(3) Give notice to the project proponent and relevant Federal and non-Federal entities of DOE's determinations under paragraph (f)(1) of this section.
(g) Deficiencies. If DOE determines under paragraph (f)(1) of this section that the initiation request does not meet the requirements of this section, DOE must provide the reasons for that finding and a description of how the project proponent may, if applicable, address any deficiencies in the initiation request so that DOE may reconsider its determination. If DOE determines under paragraph (f)(1) of this section that the proposed electric transmission facility is not a qualifying project, DOE must provide a justification for the determination and the project proponent may file a request for coordination with the Director as provided in § 900.3. A project to site a proposed electric transmission facility that is not a qualifying project is not eligible for participation in the IIP Process.
(h) Initial meeting. If a project proponent submits a valid initiation request, DOE, in consultation with the identified relevant Federal entities, shall convene the IIP Process initial meeting with the project proponent and all relevant Federal entities notified by DOE under paragraph (f) of this section as soon as practicable and no later than 15 calendar days after the date that DOE provides notice under paragraph (f) that the initiation request meets the requirements of this section. DOE shall also invite relevant non-Federal entities to participate in the initial meeting. During the initial meeting:
(1) DOE and the relevant Federal entities shall discuss with the project proponent the IIP Process, Federal authorization process, related environmental reviews, any arrangements for the project proponent to contribute funds to DOE to cover costs incurred by DOE and the relevant Federal entities in the IIP Process (in accordance with 42 U.S.C. 7278), any requirements for entering into cost recovery agreements, and paying for third-party contractors under DOE's supervision, where applicable;
(2) DOE will identify any Federal applications that must be submitted during the IIP Process, to enable relevant Federal entities to begin work on the review process, and those applications that will be submitted after the IIP Process. All application submittal timelines will be accounted for in the project-specific schedule described in § 900.7;
(3) DOE will establish all analysis areas necessary for the completion of resource reports required under § 900.6;
(4) The project proponent shall describe the proposed electric transmission project and the contents of the initiation request;
(5) DOE and the relevant Federal entities, along with any relevant non-Federal entities who choose to participate, will review the information provided by the project proponent and publicly available information, discuss the study corridors and potential routes identified by the project proponent, discuss the evaluation criteria and methods used to identify those corridors and routes and, to the extent possible and based on agency expertise and experience, identify any additional criteria for adding or modifying potential routes and study corridors;
(6) DOE and the relevant Federal entities will discuss, based on available information provided by the project proponent, any surveys and studies that may be required for potential routes and completion of the resource reports, including biological (including threatened and endangered species or avian, aquatic, and terrestrial species and aquatic habitats of concern), visual, cultural, economic, social, health, and historic surveys and studies.
(i) Feedback to project proponent. Feedback provided to the project proponent under paragraph (h) of this section does not constitute a commitment by any relevant Federal entity to approve or deny a Federal authorization request, nor does the IIP Process limit agency discretion regarding NEPA review.
(j) Draft initial meeting summary. Not later than 10 calendar days after the initial meeting, DOE shall:
(1) Prepare a draft initial meeting summary that includes a summary of the meeting discussion, a description of key issues and information gaps identified during the meeting, and any requests for more information from relevant Federal entities and relevant non-Federal entities; and
(2) Convey the draft summary to the project proponent, relevant Federal entities, and any relevant non-Federal entities that participated in the meeting.
(k) Corrections. The project proponent and entities that received the draft initial meeting summary under paragraph (j) of this section will have 10 calendar days following receipt of the draft initial meeting summary to review the draft and provide corrections to DOE.
(l) Final summary. Not later than 10 calendar days following the close of the 10-day review period under paragraph (k) of this section, DOE shall:
(1) Prepare a final initial meeting summary by incorporating received corrections, as appropriate;
(2) Add the final summary to the consolidated administrative docket described by § 900.10; and
(3) Provide an electronic copy of the summary to all relevant Federal entities, relevant non-Federal entities, and the project proponent.
§ 900.6 - Project proponent resource reports.
(a) Preparation and submission. The project proponent shall prepare and submit to DOE the 13 project proponent resource reports described in this section. The project proponent may submit the resource reports at any time before requesting a review meeting under § 900.8 and shall, at the direction of DOE, revise resource reports in response to comments received from relevant Federal entities and relevant non-Federal entities during the Integrated Interagency Pre-Application (IIP) Process.
(b) Content. Each resource report must include concise descriptions, based on the best available scientific and commercial information, of the known existing environment and major site conditions. The detail of each resource report must be commensurate with the complexity of the proposal and its potential for environmental impacts. Each topic in each resource report must be addressed or its omission justified. If any resource report topic is not addressed at the time the applicable resource report is filed or its omission is not addressed, the report must explain why the topic is missing. If material required for one resource report is provided in another resource report or in another exhibit, it may be incorporated by reference. If outside material is reasonably available for review and comment, a resource report may incorporate that material by reference by including a citation to the material and a brief summary of the material. Consistent with §§ 900.1(h) and 900.4(g), the Director may modify the requirements of this section to reflect differences in onshore and offshore environments and uses.
(c) Requirements for IIP Process progression. Failure of the project proponent to provide at least the required initial or revised content will prevent progress through the IIP Process to the IIP Process review or close-out meetings, unless the Director determines that the project proponent has provided an acceptable reason for the item's absence and an acceptable timeline for filing it. Failure to file within the accepted timeline will prevent further progress in the IIP Process.
(d) General requirements. As appropriate, each resource report shall:
(1) Address conditions or resources that might be directly or indirectly affected by the proposed electric transmission project;
(2) Identify environmental effects expected to occur as a result of the proposed project;
(3) Identify the potential effects of construction, operation (including maintenance and malfunctions), and termination of the proposed project, as well as potential cumulative effects resulting from existing or reasonably foreseeable projects;
(4) Identify measures proposed to enhance the environment or to avoid, minimize, or compensate for potential adverse effects of the proposed project; and
(5) Provide a list of publications, reports, and other literature or communications, including agency communications, that were cited or relied upon to prepare each report.
(e) Federal responsibility. The resource reports prepared by the project proponent under this section do not supplant the requirements under existing environmental laws related to the information required for Federal authorization or consultation processes. The relevant Federal entities shall independently evaluate the information submitted and shall be responsible for the accuracy, scope, and contents of all Federal authorization decision documents and related environmental reviews.
(f) Resource Report 1—General project description. This report should describe all expected facilities associated with the project, special construction and operation procedures, construction timetables, future plans for related construction, and permits, authorizations, and consultations that are expected to be required for proposed project. Resource Report 1 must:
(1) Describe and provide location maps of all facilities to be constructed, modified, abandoned, replaced, or removed, including facilities related to construction and operational support activities and areas such as maintenance bases, staging areas, communications towers, power lines, and new access roads (roads to be built or modified), as well as any existing infrastructure proposed to be used for the project (e.g., connections to existing substations and transmission, and existing access roads);
(2) Describe specific generation resources that are known or reasonably foreseen to be developed or interconnected as a result of the proposed electric transmission project, if any;
(3) Identify facilities constructed by other entities that are related to the proposed project (e.g., fiber optic cables) and where those facilities would be located;
(4) Provide the following information for each facility described under paragraphs (f)(1) through (3) of this section:
(i) A brief description of the facility, including, as appropriate, ownership, land requirements, megawatt size, construction status, and an update of the latest status of Federal, State, and local permits and approvals; and
(ii) Current topographic maps showing the location of the facility;
(5) Provide any communications with the appropriate State Historic Preservation Offices (SHPOs) and Tribal Historic Preservation Offices (THPOs) regarding cultural and historic resources in the project area;
(6) To the extent known, identify the permits, authorizations, and consultations that are expected to be required for proposed project, including consultation under section 106 of the NHPA, consultation under section 7 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (Pub. L. 93-205, as amended, 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), consistency determinations under the Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA), and permits under the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.) (CWA);
(7) Describe any developments in obtaining authorizations and permits or completing required consultations for the proposed project and identify environmental mitigation requirements specified in any permit or proposed in any permit application to the extent not specified elsewhere in this resource report or another resource report;
(8) If the project includes abandonment of certain facilities, rights-of-way, or easements, identify and describe the following:
(i) facilities, rights-of-way, or easements that the project proponent plans to abandon;
(ii) how the facilities, rights-of-way, or easements would be abandoned;
(iii) how the abandoned facilities, rights-of-way, and easements would be restored;
(iv) the owner of the facilities, rights-of-way, or easement after abandonment;
(v) the party responsible for the abandoned facilities, rights-of-way, or easement;
(vi) whether landowners were or are expected to be given the opportunity to request that the abandoned facilities on their property, including foundations and below ground components, be removed; and
(vii) landowners whose preferences regarding abandoned facility removal the project proponent does not intend to honor and reasons why the project proponent does not intend to honor those preferences;
(9) Provide construction timetables and describe, by milepost, proposed construction and restoration methods to be used in areas of rugged topography, residential areas, active croplands, sites where the proposed project would be located parallel to and under roads, and sites where explosives may be used;
(10) Describe estimated workforce requirements for the proposed project, including the number of construction spreads, average workforce requirements for each construction spread, estimated duration of construction from initial clearing to final restoration, and number of personnel to be hired to operate the proposed project;
(11) Describe reasonably foreseeable plans for future expansion of facilities related to the project, including additional land requirements and the compatibility of those plans with the current proposal;
(12) Provide the names and mailing addresses of all potentially affected landowners identified by the project proponent, identify which potentially affected landowners have been notified by the project proponent, and describe the methodology used to identify potentially affected landowners;
(13) Summarize the proposed mitigation approach anticipated by the project proponent to reduce the potential impacts of the proposed project to resources warranting or requiring mitigation; and
(14) Describe how the proposed project will reduce capacity constraints and congestion on the transmission system, meet unmet demand, or connect generation resources (including the expected type of generation, if known) to load, as appropriate.
(g) Resource Report 2—Water use and quality. This report should describe water resources that may be impacted by the proposed project, describe the potential impacts on these resources, and describe the measures taken to avoid and minimize adverse effects to such water resources, where appropriate. Resource Report 2 must:
(1) Identify surface water resources, including perennial waterbodies, intermittent streams, ephemeral waterbodies, municipal water supply or watershed areas, specially designated surface water protection areas and sensitive waterbodies, floodplains, and wetlands, that would be crossed by a potential route;
(2) For each surface water resource that would be crossed by a potential route, identify the approximate width of the crossing, State water quality classifications, any known potential pollutants present in the water or sediments, and any downstream potable water intake sources within the applicable analysis area;
(3) Describe typical staging area requirements at surface water resource crossings and identify and describe each potential surface water crossing where staging areas are likely to be more extensive and could require a mitigation approach to address potential impacts to the water resource;
(4) Provide two copies of floodplain and National Wetland Inventory (NWI) maps or, if not available, appropriate State wetland maps clearly showing the study corridors or potential routes and mileposts;
(5) For each wetland crossing, identify the milepost of the crossing, the wetland classification specified by the USFWS, and the length of the crossing, and describe, by milepost, wetland crossings as determined by field delineations using the current Federal methodology;
(6) For each floodplain crossing, identify the mileposts, acres of floodplains affected, flood elevation, and basis for determining that elevation;
(7) Describe and provide data supporting the expected impact of the proposed project on surface and groundwater resources;
(8) Describe and provide data supporting proposed avoidance and minimization measures as well as protection or enhancement measures that would reduce the potential for adverse impacts to surface and groundwater resources, and discuss any potential compensation expected to be provided for remaining unavoidable impacts to water resources due to the proposed project;
(9) Identify the location of known public and private groundwater supply wells or springs within the applicable analysis area;
(10) Identify locations of EPA or State-designated principal-source aquifers and wellhead protection areas crossed by a potential route;
(11) Discuss the results of any coordination with relevant Federal entities or non-Federal entities related to CWA permitting and include any written correspondence that resulted from the coordination; and
(12) Indicate whether the project proponent expects that a water quality certification (under section 401 of the CWA) will be required for any potential routes.
(h) Resource Report 3—Fish, wildlife, and vegetation. This report should identify and describe potential impacts to aquatic and terrestrial habitats, wildlife, and plants from the proposed project and discuss potential avoidance, minimization, or compensation measures, and enhancement or protection measures to reduce adverse impacts to these resources. Resource Report 3 must:
(1) Describe aquatic habitats that occur in the applicable analysis area, including commercial and recreational warmwater, coldwater, and saltwater fisheries and associated significant habitats such as spawning or rearing areas, estuaries, and other essential fish habitats;
(2) Describe terrestrial habitats that occur in the project area, including wetlands, typical wildlife habitats, and rare, unique, or otherwise significant habitats;
(3) Identify fish, wildlife, and plants that may be affected by the proposed project, including species that have commercial, recreational, or aesthetic value and that may be affected by the proposed project;
(4) Describe and provide the acreage of vegetation cover types that would be affected by the proposed project, including unique ecosystems or communities such as remnant prairie or old-growth forest, or significant individual plants, such as old-growth specimen trees;
(5) Describe the impact of the proposed project on aquatic and terrestrial habitats, including potential loss and fragmentation;
(6) Describe the potential impact of the proposed project on Federally listed, candidate, or proposed endangered or threatened species, State, Tribal, and local species of concern, and those species' habitats, including the possibility of a major alteration to ecosystems or biodiversity;
(7) Describe the potential impact of maintenance, clearing, and treatment of the applicable analysis area on fish, wildlife, and plant life;
(8) Identify all Federally listed, candidate, or proposed endangered or threatened species that may be affected by the proposed project and proposed or designated critical habitats that potentially occur in the applicable analysis area;
(9) Identify all State, Tribal, and local species of concern that may be affected by the proposed project;
(10) Identify all known and potential bald and golden eagle nesting and roosting sites, migratory bird flyways, and any sites important to migratory bird breeding, feeding, and sheltering within the applicable analysis areas. These identifications should coincide with the USFWS's most current range and location maps at the time this resource report is submitted;
(11) Discuss the results of any discussions conducted by the proponent to date with relevant Federal entities or relevant non-Federal entities related to fish, wildlife, and vegetation resources, and include any written correspondence that resulted from the discussions;
(12) Include the results of any appropriate surveys that have already been conducted, as well as plans and protocols for future surveys. If potentially suitable habitat is present, species-specific surveys may be required;
(13) If present, identify all Federally designated essential fish habitat (EFH) that occurs in the applicable analysis area and provide:
(i) Information on all EFH, as identified by the pertinent Federal fishery management plans, which may be adversely affected by potential routes;
(ii) The results of discussions with National Marine Fisheries Service; and
(iii) Any resulting EFH assessments that were evaluated, and EFH Conservation Recommendations that were provided by the National Marine Fisheries Service;
(14) Describe potential avoidance, minimization, or compensation measures, and enhancement or protection measures to address adverse effects described in paragraphs (h)(5), (6), and (7) of this section;
(15) Describe anticipated site-specific mitigation approaches for fisheries, wildlife (including migration corridors and seasonal areas of use), grazing, and plant life;
(16) Describe proposed measures to avoid and minimize incidental take of Federally listed and candidate species and species of concern, including eagles and migratory birds; and
(17) Include copies of any correspondence not otherwise provided pursuant to this paragraph (h) containing recommendations from appropriate Federal, State, and local fish and wildlife agencies to avoid or limit impact on wildlife, fish, fisheries, habitats, and plants, and the project proponent's response to those recommendations.
(i) Resource Report 4—Cultural resources. This report should describe the location of known cultural and historic resources, previous surveys and listings of cultural and historic resources, the potential effects that construction, operation, and maintenance of the proposed project will have on those resources, and initial recommendations for avoidance and minimization measures to address potential effects to those resources. The information provided in Resource Report 4 will contribute to the satisfaction of DOE's and relevant Federal entities' obligations under section 106 of the NHPA.
(1) Resource Report 4 must contain:
(i) A summary of known cultural and historic resources in the applicable analysis area including but not limited to those listed or eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places, such as properties of religious and cultural significance to Indian Tribes, and any material remains of past human life or activities that are of an archeological interest;
(ii) A description of potential effects that construction, operation, and maintenance of the proposed project will have on resources identified in paragraph (i)(1)(i) of this section;
(iii) Documentation of the project proponent's initial communications and engagement, including preliminary outreach and coordination, with Indian Tribes, indigenous peoples, THPOs, SHPOs, communities of interest, and other entities having knowledge of, interest regarding, or an understanding about the resources identified in paragraph (i)(1)(i) of this section and any written comments from SHPOs, THPOs, other Tribal historic preservation offices or governments, or others, as appropriate and available;
(iv) Recommended avoidance and minimization measures to address potential effects of the proposed project;
(v) Any relevant existing surveys or listings of cultural and historic resources in the affected environment; and
(vi) Recommendations for any additional surveys needed; and
(vii) A description, by milepost, of any area that has not been surveyed due to a denial of access by landowners.
(2) The project proponent must update this report with the results of any additional surveys that the project proponent chooses to undertake, as identified in in paragraph (i)(1)(vi) of this section, after the initial submission of this report.
(3) The project proponent must request confidential treatment for all material filed with DOE containing non-public location, character, and ownership information about cultural resources in accordance with § 900.4(h).
(j) Resource Report 5—Socioeconomics. This report should identify and quantify the impacts of constructing and operating the proposed project on the demographics and economics of communities in the applicable analysis area, including minority and underrepresented communities. Resource Report 5 must:
(1) Describe the socioeconomic resources that may be affected in the applicable analysis area;
(2) Describe the positive and adverse socioeconomic impacts of the proposed project;
(3) Evaluate the impact of any substantial migration of people into the applicable analysis area on governmental facilities and services and describe plans to reduce the impact on the local infrastructure;
(4) Describe on-site labor requirements during construction and operation, including projections of the number of construction personnel who currently reside within the applicable analysis area, who would commute daily to the site from outside the analysis area, or who would relocate temporarily within the analysis area;
(5) Determine whether existing affordable housing within the applicable analysis area is sufficient to meet the needs of the additional population; and
(6) Describe the number and types of residences and businesses that would be displaced by the proposed project, procedures to be used to acquire these properties, and types and amounts of relocation assistance payments.
(k) Resource Report 6—Tribal interests. This report must identify the Indian Tribes and indigenous communities that may be affected by the construction, operation, and maintenance of the project facilities, including those Indian Tribes and indigenous communities that may attach religious and cultural significance to cultural resources within the project area. In developing this report, the project proponent should consider both Indian Tribes with contemporary presence in the project area and Indian Tribes with historic connections to the area. To the extent Indian Tribes and indigenous communities are willing to communicate and share resource information, this report must discuss the potential impacts of project construction, operation, and maintenance on Indian Tribes and Tribal interests. This discussion must include impacts to sacred sites and Treaty rights, impacts related to enumerated resources and areas identified in the resource reports listed in this section (for instance, water rights, access to property, wildlife and ecological resources, etc.), and set forth available information on any additional, relevant traditional cultural and religious resources that could be affected by the proposed electric transmission project that are not already addressed. This resource report should acknowledge existing relationships between adjacent and underlying Federal land management agencies and the Indian Tribes. In developing this report, the project proponent should engage the Federal land manager early to leverage existing relationships. Specific site or property locations, the disclosure of which may create a risk of harm, theft, or destruction of archaeological or Native American cultural resources and information which would violate any Federal law, including section 9 of the Archaeological Resources Protection Act of 1979 (Pub. L. 96-95, as amended) (16 U.S.C. 470hh) and section 304 of the NHPA (54 U.S.C. 307103), should be submitted consistent with § 900.4(h). The project proponent must request confidential treatment for all material filed with DOE containing non-public location, character, and ownership information about Tribal resources in accordance with § 900.4(h).
(l) Resource Report 7—Communities of Interest. This report must summarize best available information about the presence of communities of interest. The resource report must identify and describe the potential impacts of constructing, operating, and maintaining the proposed electric transmission project on communities of interest; and describe any proposed mitigation approaches for such impacts or community concerns. The report must include a discussion of any disproportionate and/or adverse human health or environmental impacts to communities of interest.
(m) Resource Report 8—Geological resources and hazards. This report should describe geological resources that might be directly or indirectly affected by the proposed electric transmission project and methods to reduce those effects. The report should also describe geological hazards that could place project facilities at risk and methods proposed to mitigate those risks. Resource Report 8 must:
(1) Describe geological resources in the applicable analysis area that are currently or potentially exploitable, if relevant;
(2) Identify, by milepost, existing and potential geological hazards and areas of nonroutine geotechnical concern in the applicable analysis area, such as high seismicity areas, active faults, and areas susceptible to soil liquefaction; planned, active, and abandoned mines; karst terrain (including significant caves protected under the Federal Cave Resources Protection Act (Pub. L. 100-691, as amended) (16 U.S.C. 4301 et seq.)); and areas of potential ground failure, such as subsidence, slumping, and land sliding;
(3) Discuss the risks posed to the proposed project from each hazard or area of nonroutine geotechnical concern identified in paragraph (m)(2) of this section;
(4) Describe how the proposed project would be located or designed to avoid or minimize adverse effects to geological resources and reduce risk to project facilities, including geotechnical investigations and monitoring that would be conducted before, during, and after construction;
(5) Discuss the potential for blasting to affect structures and the measures to be taken to remedy such effects; and
(6) Specify methods to be used to prevent project-induced contamination from mines or from mine tailings along the right-of-way and discuss whether the proposed project would hinder mine reclamation or expansion efforts.
(n) Resource Report 9—Soil resources. This report should describe the soils that could be crossed by the proposed electric transmission project, the potential effect on those soils, and the proposed mitigation approach for those effects. Resource Report 9 must:
(1) List, by milepost, the soil associations that would be crossed by each potential route and describe the erosion potential, fertility, and drainage characteristics of each association;
(2) For the applicable analysis area:
(i) List the soil series within the area and the percentage of the area comprised of each series;
(ii) List the percentage of each series which would be permanently disturbed;
(iii) Describe the characteristics of each soil series; and
(iv) Indicate which soil units are classified as prime or unique farmland by the USDA, Natural Resources Conservation Service;
(3) Identify potential impacts from: soil erosion due to water, wind, or loss of vegetation; soil compaction and damage to soil structure resulting from movement of construction vehicles; wet soils and soils with poor drainage that are especially prone to structural damage; damage to drainage tile systems due to movement of construction vehicles and trenching activities; and interference with the operation of agricultural equipment due to the probability of large stones or blasted rock occurring on or near the surface as a result of construction;
(4) Identify, by milepost, cropland and residential areas where loss of soil fertility due to trenching and backfilling could occur; and
(5) Describe the proposed mitigation approach to reduce the potential for adverse impact to soils or agricultural productivity.
(o) Resource Report 10—Land use, recreation, and aesthetics. This report should describe the existing uses of land that may be impacted by the proposed project, and changes to those land uses and impacts to inhabitants and users that would occur if the proposed electric transmission project is approved. Resource Report 10 must:
(1) Describe the width and acreage requirements of all construction and permanent rights-of-way required for project construction, operation, and maintenance;
(2) List existing rights-of-way that would be co-located with or adjacent to the proposed rights-of-way (including temporary construction lines), and any required utility coordination, permits, and fees that would be associated as a result;
(3) Identify, preferably by diagrams, existing rights-of-way that are expected to be used for any portion of the construction or operational right-of-way, the overlap, and how much additional width is expected to be required;
(4) Identify the total amount of land to be purchased or leased for each project facility, the amount of land that would be disturbed for construction, operation, and maintenance of the facility, and the use of the remaining land not required for project operation and maintenance, if any;
(5) Identify the size of typical staging areas and expanded work areas, such as those at railroad, road, and waterbody crossings, and the size and location of all construction materials storage yards and access roads;
(6) Identify, by milepost, the existing use of:
(i) Lands crossed by or adjacent to each project facility; and
(ii) Lands on which a project facility is expected to be located;
(7) Describe:
(i) Planned development within the applicable analysis area that is either included in a master plan or on file with the local planning board or the county;
(ii) The time frame (if available) for such development; and
(iii) Proposed coordination to minimize impacts on land use due to such development;
(8) Identify areas within applicable analysis areas that:
(i) Are owned or controlled by Federal, State or local agencies, or private preservation groups;
(ii) Are directly affected by the proposed project or any project facilities or operational sites; and
(iii) Have special designations not otherwise mentioned in other resource reports.
(iv) Examples of such specially designated areas under this provision may include but are not limited to sugar maple stands, orchards and nurseries, landfills, hazardous waste sites, nature preserves, conservation or agricultural lands subject to conservation or agricultural easements or restrictions, game management areas, remnant prairie, old-growth forest, national or State forests, parks, designated natural, recreational or scenic areas, registered natural landmarks, and areas managed by Federal entities under existing land use plans as Visual Resource Management Class I or Class II areas;
(9) Identify Indian Tribes and indigenous communities that may be affected by the proposed project;
(10) Describe Tribal and indigenous community resources lands, interests, and established treaty rights that may be affected by the proposed project;
(11) Identify properties within the project area which may hold cultural or religious significance for Indian Tribes and indigenous communities, regardless of whether the property is on or off of any Federally recognized Indian reservation;
(12) Identify resources within the applicable analysis area that are included in, or are designated for study for inclusion in, if available: the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System (16 U.S.C. 1271), the National Wildlife Refuge System (16 U.S.C. 668dd), the National Wilderness Preservation System (16 U.S.C. 1131), the National Trails System (16 U.S.C. 1241-1251), the National Park System (54 U.S.C. 100101-120104), National Historic Landmarks (NHLs), National Natural Landmarks (NNLs), Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) acquired Federal lands, LWCF State Assistance Program sites and the Federal Lands to Parks (FLP) program lands, or a wilderness area designated under the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131-1136); or the National Marine Sanctuary System, including national marine sanctuaries (16 U.S.C. 1431-1445c-1.) and Marine National Monuments as designated under authority by the Antiquities Act (54 U.S.C. 320301-320303) or by Congress; National Forests and Grasslands (16 U.S.C. 1609 et seq); and lands in easement programs managed by the Natural Resource Conservation Service or the U.S. Forest Service (16 U.S.C. 3865, et seq.);
(13) Indicate whether the project proponent will need to submit a CZMA Federal consistency certification to State coastal management program(s) for the project, as required by NOAA's Federal consistency regulations at 15 CFR part 930, subpart D;
(14) Describe the impacts the proposed project will have on:
(i) Present uses of land in the applicable analysis area, including commercial uses, mineral resource uses, and recreational uses,
(ii) Public health and safety;
(iii) Federal, State, and Tribal scientific survey, research, and observation activities;
(iv) Sensitive resources and critical habitats;
(v) The aesthetic value of the land and its features; and
(vi) Federal, State or Tribal access limitations.
(15) Describe any temporary or permanent restrictions on land use that would result from the proposed project.
(16) Describe the proposed mitigation approach intended to address impacts described in paragraphs (o)(12) and (13) of this section, as well as protection and enhancement of existing land use;
(17) Provide a proposed operations and maintenance plan for vegetation management, including management of noxious and invasive species;
(18) Describe the visual characteristics of the lands and waters affected by the proposed project. Components of this description include a description of how permanent project facilities will impact the visual character of proposed project right-of-way and surrounding vicinity, and measures proposed to lessen these impacts. Project proponents are encouraged to supplement the text description with visual aids;
(19) Identify, by milepost, all residences and buildings near the proposed electric transmission facility construction right-of-way, and identify the distance of the residence or building from the edge of the right-of-way and provide survey drawings or alignment sheets to illustrate the location of the proposed facility in relation to the buildings;
(20) List all dwellings and related structures, commercial structures, industrial structures, places of worship, hospitals, nursing homes, schools, or other structures normally inhabited by humans or intended to be inhabited by humans on a regular basis within the applicable analysis area and provide a general description of each habitable structure and its distance from the centerline of the proposed project. In cities, towns, or rural subdivisions, houses can be identified in groups, and the report must provide the number of habitable structures in each group and list the distance from the centerline to the closest habitable structure in the group;
(21) List all known commercial AM radio transmitters located within the applicable analysis area and all known FM radio transmitters, microwave relay stations, or other similar electronic installations located within the analysis area; provide a general description of each installation and its distance from the centerline of the proposed project; and locate all installations on a routing map; and
(22) List all known private airstrips within the applicable analysis area and all airports registered with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) with at least one runway more than 3,200 feet in length that are located within the analysis area. Indicate whether any transmission structures will exceed a 100:1 horizontal slope (one foot in height for each 100 feet in distance) from the closest point of the closest runway. List all airports registered with the FAA having no runway more than 3,200 feet in length that are located within the analysis area. Indicate whether any transmission structures will exceed a 50:1 horizontal slope from the closest point of the closest runway. List all heliports located within the analysis area. Indicate whether any transmission structures will exceed a 25:1 horizontal slope from the closest point of the closest landing and takeoff area of the heliport. Provide a general description of each private airstrip, registered airport, and registered heliport, and state the distance of each from the centerline of the proposed transmission line. Locate all airstrips, airports, and heliports on a routing map.
(23) Information made available under paragraphs (o)(9), (10), and (11) must be submitted consistent with § 900.4(h), including information regarding specific site or property locations, the disclosure of which will create a risk of harm, theft, or destruction of archaeological or Native American cultural resources and information which would violate any Federal law, including section 9 of the Archaeological Resources Protection Act of 1979 (Pub. L. 96-95, as amended) (16 U.S.C. 470hh) and section 304 of the NHPA (54 U.S.C. 307103).
(p) Resource Report 11—Air quality and noise effects. This report should identify the effects of the proposed electric transmission project on the existing air quality and noise environment and describe proposed measures to mitigate the effects. Resource Report 11 must:
(1) Describe the existing air quality in the applicable analysis area, indicate if any project facilities are located within a designated nonattainment or maintenance area under the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.), and provide the distance from the project facilities to any Class I area in the project area;
(2) Estimate emissions from the proposed project and the corresponding impacts on air quality and the environment;
(i) Estimate the reasonably foreseeable emissions, including greenhouse gas emissions, from construction, operation, and maintenance of the project facilities (such as emissions from tailpipes, equipment, fugitive dust, open burning, and substations) expressed in tons per year; include supporting calculations, emissions factors, fuel consumption rates, and annual hours of operation;
(ii) Estimate the reasonably foreseeable change in greenhouse gas emissions from the existing, proposed, and reasonably foreseeable generation resources identified in Resource Report 1 (see paragraph (f) of this section) that may connect to the proposed project or interconnect as a result of the proposed project, if any, as well as any other modeled air emissions impacts;
(iii) For each designated nonattainment or maintenance area, provide a comparison of the emissions from construction, operation, and maintenance of the proposed project with the applicable General Conformity thresholds (40 CFR part 93);
(iv) Identify the corresponding impacts on communities and the environment in the applicable analysis area from the estimated emissions;
(v) Describe any proposed mitigation measures to control emissions identified under this section; and
(vi) Estimate the reasonably foreseeable effect of the proposed project on indirect emissions;
(3) Describe existing noise levels at noise-sensitive areas in the applicable analysis area, such as schools, hospitals, residences, and any areas covered by relevant State or local noise ordinances;
(i) Report existing noise levels as the a-weighted decibel (dBA) Leq (day), Leq (night), and Ldn (day-night sound level) and include the basis for the data or estimates;
(ii) Include a plot plan that identifies the locations and duration of noise measurements, the time of day, weather conditions, wind speed and direction, engine load, and other noise sources present during each measurement; and
(iii) Identify any noise regulations that may be applicable to the proposed project;
(4) Estimate the impact of the proposed project on the noise environment;
(i) Provide a quantitative estimate of the impact of transmission line operation on noise levels at the edge of the proposed right-of-way, including corona, insulator, and Aeolian noise; and provide a quantitative estimate of the impact of operation of proposed substations and appurtenant project facilities on noise levels at nearby noise-sensitive areas, including discrete tones;
(A) Include step-by-step supporting calculations or identify the computer program used to model the noise levels, the input and raw output data and all assumptions made when running the model, far-field sound level data for maximum facility operation (either from the manufacturer or from far-field sound level data measured from similar project facilities in service elsewhere) and the source of the data;
(B) Include sound pressure levels for project facilities, dynamic insertion loss for structures, and sound attenuation from the project facilities to the edge of the right-of-way or to nearby noise-sensitive areas (as applicable);
(ii) Describe the impact of proposed construction activities, including any nighttime construction, on the noise environment; estimate the impact of any horizontal directional drilling, pile driving, or blasting on noise levels at nearby noise-sensitive areas and include supporting assumptions and calculations;
(5) Based on noise estimates, indicate whether the proposed project will comply with applicable noise regulations and whether noise attributable to any proposed substation or appurtenant facility will exceed permissible levels at any pre-existing noise-sensitive area;
(6) Based on noise estimates, determine whether any wildlife-specific noise thresholds may have an impact on the proposed project, such as those thresholds specific to avian species that may be relevant in significant wildlife areas, if appropriate; and
(7) Describe measures, and manufacturer's specifications for equipment, proposed to mitigate noise effects and impacts to air quality, including emission control systems, installation of filters, mufflers, or insulation of piping and buildings, and orientation of equipment away from noise-sensitive areas.
(q) Resource Report 12—Alternatives. This report should describe the range of study corridors that were considered as alternatives during the planning, identification, and design of the proposed electric transmission project and compare the environmental impacts of such corridors and the routes contained in those corridors. This analysis may inform the relevant Federal entities' subsequent analysis of their alternatives during the NEPA process. Resource Report 12 must:
(1) Identify all study corridors and routes contained within those corridors. The report must identify the location of the corridors on maps of sufficient scale to depict their location and relationship to the proposed project, and the relationship of the proposed electric transmission facility to existing rights-of-way;
(2) Discuss the “no action” alternative and the potential for accomplishing the proponent's proposed objectives using alternative means;
(3) Discuss design and construction methods considered by the project proponent;
(4) Identify all the alternative study corridors and routes the project proponent considered in the initial screening for the proposed project but did not recommend for further study and the reasons why the proponent chose not to examine such alternatives.
(5) For alternative study corridors and routes recommended for more in-depth consideration, the report must:
(i) Describe the potential impacts to cultural and historic resources for each alternative;
(ii) Describe the environmental characteristics of each alternative, provide comparative tables showing the differences in environmental characteristics for the alternatives, and include an analysis of the potential relative environmental impacts for each alternative;
(iii) Provide an explanation of the costs to construct, operate, and maintain each alternative, the potential for each alternative to meet project deadlines, and technological and procedural constraints in developing the alternatives; and
(iv) Demonstrate whether and how environmental benefits and costs were weighed against economic benefits and costs to the public.
(r) Resource Report 13—Reliability, resilience, and safety. This report should describe the impacts that would result from a failure of the proposed electric transmission facility, the measures, procedures, and features that would reduce the risk of failure, and measures in place to reduce impacts and protect the public if a failure did occur. Resource Report 13 must:
(1) Discuss events that could result in a failure of the proposed facility, including accidents, intentional destructive acts, and natural catastrophes (accounting for the likelihood of relevant natural catastrophes resulting from climate change);
(2) Describe the reasonably foreseeable impacts that would result from a failure of the proposed electric transmission facility, including hazards to the public, environmental impacts, and service interruptions;
(3) Describe the operational measures, procedures, and design features of the proposed project that would reduce the risk of facility failure;
(4) Describe measures proposed to protect the public from failure of the proposed facility (including coordination with local agencies);
(5) Discuss contingency plans for maintaining service or reducing downtime;
(6) Describe measures used to exclude the public from hazardous areas, measures used to minimize problems arising from malfunctions and accidents (with estimates of probability of occurrence), and identify standard procedures for protecting services and public safety during maintenance and breakdowns; and
(7) Describe improvements to reliability likely to result from the proposed project.
§ 900.7 - Standard and project-specific schedules.
(a) DOE shall publish, and update from time to time, a standard schedule that identifies the steps generally needed to complete decisions on all Federal environmental reviews and authorizations for a proposed electric transmission project. The standard schedule will include recommended timing for each step so as to allow final decisions on all Federal authorizations within two years of the publication of a notice of intent to prepare an environmental review document under § 900.9 or as soon as practicable thereafter, considering the requirements of relevant Federal laws, and the need for robust analysis of proposed project impacts, early and meaningful consultation with potentially affected Indian Tribes and engagement with stakeholders and communities of interest.
(b) During the Integrated Interagency Pre-Application (IIP) Process, DOE, in coordination with any NEPA joint lead agency and relevant Federal entities, shall prepare a project-specific schedule that is informed by the standard schedule prepared under paragraph (a) of this section and that establishes prompt and binding intermediate milestones and ultimate deadlines for the review of, and Federal authorization decisions relating to, a proposed electric transmission project, accounting for relevant statutory requirements, the potential route, reasonable alternative potential routes, if any, the need to assess and address any impacts to military testing, training, and operations, and other factors particular to the specific proposed project, including the need for early and meaningful consultation with potentially affected Indian Tribes and engagement with stakeholders and communities of interest. DOE may revise the project-specific schedule as needed to satisfy applicable statutory requirements, allow for engagement with stakeholders and communities of interest, and account for delays caused by the actions or inactions of the project proponent.
§ 900.8 - IIP Process review meeting.
(a) An Integrated Interagency Pre-Application (IIP) Process review meeting is required for each proposed electric transmission project utilizing the IIP Process and may only be held after the project proponent submits a review meeting request to DOE. The project proponent may submit the request at any time following submission of the initial resource reports required under § 900.6. The review meeting request must include:
(1) A summary table of changes made to the proposed project since the IIP Process initial meeting, including potential environmental and community benefits from improved siting or design;
(2) Maps of potential routes and study corridors, including the proposed line, substations, and other infrastructure, as applicable, with at least as much detail as required for the initiation request described by § 900.5 and as modified in response to early stakeholder input and outreach and feedback from relevant Federal entities and relevant non-Federal entities;
(3) If known, a schedule for completing any upcoming field resource surveys, as appropriate;
(4) A conceptual plan for implementation and monitoring of proposed mitigation measures to avoid, minimize, or compensate for effects of the proposed project, consistent with 40 CFR 1508.1(s) or any successor regulation. This may include compensatory mitigation measures (offsite and onsite);
(5) An updated public engagement plan described in § 900.5(d)(2), reflecting actions undertaken since the project proponent submitted the initiation request and input received from relevant Federal entities and relevant non-Federal entities;
(6) A listing of:
(i) The dates on which the project proponent filed applications or requests for Federal authorizations and the dates on which the project proponent filed revisions to previously filed applications or requests; and
(ii) Estimated dates for filing remaining applications or requests for Federal authorization;
(7) Estimated dates that the project proponent will file requests for authorizations and consultations with relevant non-Federal entities; and
(8) A proposed duration for each Federal land use authorization expected to be required for the proposed project, commensurate with the anticipated use of the proposed electric transmission facility.
(b) Not later than 10 calendar days after the date that DOE receives the review meeting request, DOE shall provide relevant Federal entities and relevant non-Federal entities with materials included in the request and the initial resource reports submitted under § 900.6 via electronic means.
(c) Not later than 60 calendar days after the date that DOE receives the review meeting request, DOE shall:
(1) Determine whether the meeting request meets the requirements of paragraph (a) of this section and whether the initial resource reports are sufficiently detailed; and
(2) Give notice to the project proponent and relevant Federal and non-Federal entities of DOE's determinations under paragraph (c)(1) of this section.
(d) If DOE determines under paragraph (c)(1) of this section that the meeting request does not meet the requirements of paragraph (a) of this section or that the initial resource reports are not sufficiently detailed, DOE must provide the reasons for that finding and a description of how the project proponent may address any deficiencies in the meeting request or resource reports so that DOE may reconsider its determination.
(e) Not later than 15 calendar days after the date that DOE provides notice to the project proponent under paragraph (c) of this section that the review meeting request and initial resource reports have been accepted, DOE shall convene the review meeting with the project proponent and the relevant Federal entities. All relevant non-Federal entities participating in the IIP Process shall also be invited.
(f) During the IIP Process review meeting:
(1) The relevant Federal entities shall discuss, and modify if needed, the analysis areas used in the initial resource reports;
(2) Relevant Federal entities shall identify any remaining issues of concern, known information gaps or data needs, and potential issues or conflicts that could impact the time it will take the relevant Federal entities to process applications for Federal authorizations for the proposed electric transmission project;
(3) Relevant non-Federal entities may identify remaining issues of concern, information needs, and potential issues or conflicts for the project;
(4) The participants shall discuss the project proponent's updates to the siting process to date, including stakeholder outreach activities, resultant stakeholder input, and project proponent response to stakeholder input;
(5) Led by DOE, all relevant Federal entities shall discuss statutory and regulatory standards that must be met to make decisions for Federal authorizations required for the proposed project;
(6) Led by DOE, all relevant Federal entities shall describe the process for, and estimated time to complete, required Federal authorizations and, where possible, the anticipated cost (e.g., processing and monitoring fees and land use fees);
(7) Led by DOE, all relevant Federal entities shall describe their expectations for complete applications for Federal authorizations for the proposed project;
(8) Led by DOE, all relevant Federal entities shall identify necessary updates to the initial resource reports that must be made before conclusion of the IIP Process, or, as necessary, following conclusion of the IIP Process; and
(9) DOE shall present the proposed project-specific schedule developed under § 900.7.
(g) Not later than 10 calendar days after the review meeting, DOE shall:
(1) Prepare a draft review meeting summary that includes a summary of the meeting discussion, a description of key issues and information gaps identified during the meeting, and any requests for more information from relevant Federal entities and relevant non-Federal entities; and
(2) Convey the draft summary to the project proponent, relevant Federal entities, and any non-Federal entities that participated in the meeting.
(h) The project proponent and entities that received the draft review meeting summary under paragraph (g) of this section will have 10 calendar days following receipt of the draft to review the draft and provide corrections to DOE.
(i) Not later than 10 calendar days following the close of the 10-day review period under paragraph (h) of this section, DOE shall:
(1) Prepare a final review meeting summary incorporating received corrections, as appropriate;
(2) Add the final summary to the consolidated administrative docket described by § 900.10; and
(3) Provide an electronic copy of the summary to the relevant Federal entities, relevant non-Federal entities, and the project proponent.
(j) Not later than 10 calendar days following the close of the 10-day review period under paragraph (h) of this section, DOE shall:
(1) determine whether the project proponent has developed the scope of its proposed project and alternatives sufficiently for DOE to determine that there exists an undertaking for purposes of section 106 of the NHPA; and
(2) if the scope is sufficiently developed, initiate consultation with SHPOs, THPOs, and others consistent with 36 CFR 800.2(c)(4), which may include authorizing a project proponent, as a CITAP applicant, to initiate section 106 consultation and providing appropriate notifications.
(k) After the review meeting and before the IIP Process close-out meeting described by § 900.9 the project proponent shall revise resource reports submitted under § 900.6 based on feedback from relevant Federal entities and relevant non-Federal entities received during the review meeting and based on any updated surveys conducted since the initial meeting.
§ 900.9 - IIP Process close-out meeting.
(a) An Integrated Interagency Pre-Application (IIP) Process close-out meeting concludes the IIP Process for a proposed electric transmission project and may only be held after the project proponent submits a close-out meeting request to DOE. The project proponent may submit the request at any time following the submission of the updated resource reports as required under § 900.8. The close-out meeting request shall include:
(1) A summary table of changes made to the proposed project during the IIP Process, including potential environmental and community benefits from improved siting or design;
(2) A description of all changes made to the proposed project since the review meeting, including a summary of changes made to the updated resource reports in response to the concerns raised during the review meeting;
(3) A final public engagement plan, as described in § 900.5(d)(2);
(4) Requests for Federal authorizations for the proposed project; and
(5) An updated estimated timeline of filing requests for all other authorizations and consultations with non-Federal entities.
(b) Not later than 10 calendar days after the date that DOE receives the close-out meeting request, DOE shall provide relevant Federal entities and relevant non-Federal entities with materials included in the request and any updated resource reports submitted under § 900.6 via electronic means.
(c) Not later than 60 calendar days after the date that DOE receives the close-out meeting request, DOE shall:
(1) Determine whether the meeting request meets the requirements of paragraph (a) of this section and whether the updated resource reports are sufficiently detailed; and
(2) Give notice to the project proponent and relevant Federal and non-Federal entities of DOE's determinations under paragraph (c)(1) of this section.
(d) If DOE determines that the meeting request does not meet the requirements of paragraph (a) of this section or that the updated resource reports are not sufficiently detailed, DOE must provide the reasons for that finding and a description of how the project proponent may address any deficiencies in the meeting request or resource reports so that DOE may reconsider its determination.
(e) Not later than 15 calendar days after the date that DOE provides notice to the project proponent under paragraph (c) of this section that the close-out meeting request and updated resource reports have been accepted, DOE shall convene the close-out meeting with the project proponent and all relevant Federal entities. All relevant non-Federal entities participating in the IIP Process shall also be invited.
(f) The IIP Process close-out meeting concludes the IIP Process. During the close-out meeting:
(1) The participants shall discuss the project proponent's updates to the siting process to date, including stakeholder outreach activities, resultant stakeholder input, and project proponent response to stakeholder input; and
(2) DOE shall present the final project-specific schedule.
(g) Not later than 10 calendar days after the close-out meeting, DOE shall:
(1) Prepare a draft close-out meeting summary; and
(2) Convey the draft summary to the project proponent, relevant Federal entities, and any non-Federal entities that participated in the meeting.
(h) The project proponent and entities that received the draft close-out meeting summary under paragraph (g) of this section will have 10 calendar days following receipt of the draft to review the draft and provide corrections to DOE.
(i) Not later than 10 calendar days following the close of the 10-day review period under paragraph (h) of this section, DOE shall:
(1) Prepare a final close-out meeting summary by incorporating received corrections, as appropriate;
(2) Add the final summary to the consolidated administrative docket described by § 900.10;
(3) Provide an electronic copy of the summary to all relevant Federal entities, relevant non-Federal entities, and the project proponent; and
(4) In the event that the proposed project is not identified as a covered project pursuant to § 900.5(e), notify the FPISC Executive Director that the proposed project ought to be included on the FPISC Dashboard as a transparency project.
(j) DOE and any NEPA joint lead agency shall issue a Notice of Intent to prepare an environmental review document for the proposed project within 90 days of the later of the IIP Process close-out meeting or the receipt of a complete application for a Federal authorization for which NEPA review will be required, as consistent with the final project-specific schedule.
(k) DOE shall issue, for each Federal land use authorization for a proposed electric transmission facility, a preliminary duration determination commensurate with the anticipated use of the proposed facility.
§ 900.10 - Consolidated administrative docket.
(a) DOE shall maintain a consolidated docket of:
(1) All information that DOE distributes to or receives from the project proponent, relevant Federal entities, and relevant non-Federal entities related to the Integrated Interagency Pre-Application (IIP) Process, including:
(i) The IIP initiation request, review meeting request, and close-out meeting request required by §§ 900.5, 900.8, and 900.9;
(ii) The IIP Process final meeting summaries required by §§ 900.5, 900.8 and 900.9;
(iii) The IIP Process final resource reports developed under § 900.6;
(iv) The final project-specific schedule developed under §§ 900.7 and 900.8;
(v) Other documents submitted by the project proponent as part of the IIP Process or provided to the project proponent as part of the IIP Process, including but not limited to maps, publicly available data, and other supporting documentation; and
(vi) Communications between any relevant Federal or non-Federal entity and the project proponent regarding the IIP Process; and
(2) All information assembled and used by relevant Federal entities as the basis for Federal authorizations and related reviews following completion of the IIP Process.
(b) Federal entities should include DOE in all communications with the project proponent related to the IIP Process for the proposed electric transmission project.
(c) DOE shall make the consolidated docket available, as appropriate, to the NEPA joint lead agency selected under § 900.11; any relevant Federal or non-Federal entity responsible for issuing an authorization for the proposed project; and any consulting parties per section 106 of the NHPA, consistent with 36 CFR part 800. DOE shall exclude or redact privileged documents, as appropriate.
(d) Where necessary and appropriate, DOE may require a project proponent to contract with a qualified record-management consultant to compile a contemporaneous docket on behalf of all participating agencies. Any such contractor shall operate at the direction of DOE, and DOE shall retain responsibility and authority over the content of the docket.
(e) Upon request, any member of the public will be provided materials included in the docket, excluding any materials protected as CEII or otherwise required or allowed to be withheld under the Freedom of Information Act.
§ 900.11 - NEPA lead agency and selection of NEPA joint lead agency.
(a) For a proposed electric transmission project that is accepted for the Integrated Interagency Pre-Application (IIP) Process under § 900.5, DOE shall serve as the NEPA lead agency to prepare an environmental review document to serve the needs of all relevant Federal entities. A NEPA joint lead agency to prepare the environmental review document may also be designated pursuant to this section, no later than by the IIP Process review meeting.
(b) The NEPA joint lead agency, if any, shall be the Federal entity with the most significant interest in the management of Federal lands or waters that would be traversed or affected by the proposed project. DOE shall make this determination in consultation with all Federal entities that manage Federal lands or waters traversed or affected by the proposed project. For a proposed project that would traverse lands managed by both the USDA and the DOI, DOE will request that USDA and DOI determine the appropriate NEPA joint lead agency, if any.
§ 900.12 - Environmental review.
(a) After the Integrated Interagency Pre-Application (IIP) Process close-out meeting, and after receipt of a relevant application for a Federal authorization or permit in accordance with the final project-specific schedule, DOE and any NEPA joint lead agency selected under § 900.11 shall prepare an environmental review document for the proposed electric transmission project designed to serve the needs of all relevant Federal entities.
(b) When preparing the environmental review document, DOE and any NEPA joint lead agency shall:
(1) Consider the materials developed throughout the IIP Process; and
(2) Consult with relevant Federal entities and relevant non-Federal entities.
(c) DOE, in consultation with any NEPA joint lead agency, is expected to be responsible for:
(1) Identifying, contracting with, directing, supervising, and arranging for the payment of contractors, as appropriate, to draft the environmental review document; and
(2) Publishing the environmental review document and any related documents.
(d) Each Federal entity or non-Federal entity that is responsible for issuing a separate Federal authorization for the proposed project shall:
(1) Identify all information and analysis needed to make the authorization decision; and
(2) Identify all alternatives that need to be included, including a preferred alternative, with respect to the authorization.
(e) DOE and any NEPA joint lead agency, in consultation with relevant Federal entities, shall identify the full scope of alternatives for analysis, including the no action alternative.
(f) To the maximum extent permitted under law, relevant Federal entities shall use the environmental review document as the basis for all Federal authorization decisions on the proposed project. DOE and the relevant Federal entities shall issue, except where inappropriate or inefficient, a joint decision document, which will include the determination by the Secretary of a duration for each land use authorization issued on the proposed project.
(g) For all proposed projects, DOE shall serve as lead agency for consultation under the Endangered Species Act (50 CFR 402.07) and section 106 of the NHPA (36 CFR 800.2(a)(2)) unless the relevant Federal entities designate otherwise. DOE shall coordinate these consultation processes with the Federal agency with the most significant interest in the management of Federal lands or waters that would be traversed or affected by the proposed project or the designated lead agency.
§ 900.13 - Severability.
The provisions of this part are separate and severable from one another. Should a court hold any provision(s) to be stayed or invalid, such action shall not affect any other provision of this part and the remaining provisions shall remain in effect.