As used in this part:

Affected landowners include owners of property interests, as noted in the most recent county/city tax records as receiving the tax notice, whose property:

(1) Is directly affected (i.e., crossed or used) by the proposed activity, including all facility sites, rights-of-way, access roads, staging areas, and temporary workspace; or

(2) Abuts either side of an existing right-of-way or facility site owned in fee by any utility company, or abuts the edge of a proposed facility site or right-of-way which runs along a property line in the area in which the facilities would be constructed, or contains a residence within 50 feet of a proposed construction work area.

Director means the Director of the Office of Energy Projects or his designees.

Environmental justice community means any community that has been historically marginalized and overburdened by pollution. Environmental justice communities include, but may not be limited to, minority populations, low-income populations, or indigenous peoples.

Federal authorization means permits, special use authorizations, certifications, opinions, or other approvals that may be required under Federal law in order to site a transmission facility.

Indian Tribe means an Indian Tribe that is recognized by treaty with the United States, by Federal statute, or by the U.S. Department of the Interior in its periodic listing of Tribal entities in the Federal Register in accordance with 25 CFR 83.6(a), and whose Tribal interests may be affected by the development and operation of the proposed transmission facilities.

National interest electric transmission corridor means any geographic area that is experiencing electric energy transmission capacity constraints or congestion that adversely affects consumers or is expected to experience such energy transmission capacity constraints or congestion, as designated by the Secretary of Energy.

Permitting entity means any Federal or State agency, Indian Tribe, or multistate entity that is responsible for issuing separate authorizations pursuant to Federal law that are required to construct electric transmission facilities in a national interest electric transmission corridor.

Stakeholder means any Federal, State, interstate, or local agency; any Indian Tribe; any affected landowner; any environmental justice community member; or any other interested person or organization.

Transmitting utility means an entity that owns, operates, or controls facilities used for the transmission of electric energy in interstate commerce for the sale of electric energy at wholesale.

(a) The purpose of the regulations in this part is to provide for efficient and timely review of requests for permits for the siting of electric transmission facilities under section 216 of the Federal Power Act. The regulations ensure that each stakeholder is afforded an opportunity to present views and recommendations with respect to the need for and impact of a facility covered by the permit. They also coordinate, to the maximum extent practicable, the Federal authorization and review processes of other Federal and State agencies, Indian Tribes, multistate, and local entities that are responsible for conducting any separate permitting and environmental reviews of the proposed facilities.

(b) Every applicant shall file all pertinent data and information necessary for a full and complete understanding of the proposed project.

(c) Every requirement of this part will be considered as an obligation of the applicant that can only be avoided by a definite and positive showing that the information or data called for by the applicable rules is not necessary for the consideration and ultimate determination of the application.

(d) The burden of assuring that all applications and information submitted under this part is in an intelligible form and any omission of data is justified rests with the applicant.

(a) Filings are subject to the formal paper and electronic filing requirements for proceedings before the Commission as provided in part 385 of this chapter.

(b) Applications, amendments, and all exhibits and other submissions required to be furnished by an applicant to the Commission under this part must be submitted in electronic format.

(c) When an application considered alone is incomplete and depends vitally upon information in another application, it will not be accepted for filing until the supporting application has been filed. When applications are interdependent, they must be filed concurrently.

(d) All filings must be signed in compliance with § 385.2005 of this chapter.

(e) The Commission will conduct a paper hearing on applications for permits for electric transmission facilities.

(f) Permitting entities will be subject to the filing requirements of this section and the prompt and binding intermediate milestones and ultimate deadlines established in the notice issued under § 50.9.

(g) Any person submitting documents containing critical energy infrastructure information must follow the procedures specified in § 388.113 of this chapter.

A Project Participation Plan is required to ensure stakeholders have access to accurate and timely information on the proposed project and permit application process.

(a) Project Participation Plan. An applicant must develop a Project Participation Plan and file it with the pre-filing materials under § 50.5(c)(7) that:

(1) Identifies specific tools and actions to facilitate stakeholder communications and public information, including an up-to-date project website with an interactive mapping component, and a readily accessible, single point of contact for the applicant;

(2) Lists all central locations in each county throughout the project area where the applicant will provide copies of all its filings related to the proposed project;

(3) Includes a description and schedule explaining how the applicant intends to respond to requests for information from the public, permitting entities, and other legal entities with local authorization requirements; and

(4) Includes an Environmental Justice Public Engagement Plan that addresses all targeted outreach to identified environmental justice communities. This plan must summarize comments received from potentially impacted environmental justice communities during any previous outreach activities and describe planned targeted outreach activities with such communities during the pre-filing process and after the filing of an application, including efforts to identify, engage, and accommodate people with limited English proficiency. This plan must also describe how the applicant will conduct outreach to environmental justice communities about any potential mitigation measures.

(5) Includes a Tribal Engagement Plan that addresses all targeted outreach to identified Indian Tribes. This plan must summarize comments received from potentially affected Indian Tribes during any previous outreach activities and describe planned targeted outreach activities with such Tribes during the pre-filing process and after the filing of an application. This plan must also describe how the applicant will engage Indian Tribes about any potential mitigation measures. If rights-of-way over or across land owned in trust or restricted status must be obtained, this plan must describe how the applicant will engage with the relevant Indian Tribe or individual Indian landowners to obtain the necessary permissions, including consent to access Tribal land to prepare information required by the application (e.g., to survey), if applicable, and ensure communications with Indian Tribes are honest, factually accurate, and respectful of Tribal sovereignty.

(b) Document Availability. (1) Within three business days of the date the pre-filing materials are filed or application is issued a docket number, an applicant must ensure that:

(i) Complete copies of the pre-filing or application materials are available in accessible central locations in each county throughout the project area, either in paper or electronic format; and

(ii) Complete copies of all filed materials are available on the project website.

(2) An applicant is not required to serve voluminous or difficult to reproduce material, such as copies of certain environmental information, on all parties, as long as such material is publicly available in an accessible central location in each county throughout the project area and on the applicant's project website.

(c) Project notification.

(1) The applicant must make a good faith effort to notify all: affected landowners; landowners with a residence within a quarter mile of the edge of the construction right-of-way of the proposed project; municipalities in the project area; permitting entities; other local, State, and Federal governments and agencies involved in the project; Indian Tribes; electric utilities and transmission owners and operators that are, or may be, connected to the proposed transmission facilities; any known individuals or organizations that have expressed an interest in the State siting proceeding; and any other individuals or organizations that have expressed to the applicant, or its representatives, an interest in the proposed project. Notification must be made:

(i) By certified or first class mail, sent:

(A) Within 14 days after the Director notifies the applicant of the commencement of the pre-filing process under § 50.5(d) (Pre-filing Notification);

(B) Within 3 business days after the Commission notices the application under § 50.9 (Application Notification); and

(C) With written translations in the applicable language(s) to all affected landowners and landowners with a residence within a quarter mile of the edge of the construction right-of-way of the proposed project in a census block group in which the number of limited English proficiency households that speak the same language constitutes at least five percent of the census block group or 1,000 people, whichever is less.

(ii) By twice publishing a Pre-filing Notification and Application Notification, in a daily or weekly newspaper of general circulation in each county in which the project is located and, as appropriate, Tribal newspapers and other online or hard copy periodicals of general circulation serving the affected area. These notifications must also be submitted to any available county and municipal government online bulletin boards and other similar community resources. All such publications and submittals should occur no later than 14 days after the date that a docket number is assigned for the pre-filing process or to the application. The applicant must promptly provide the Commission with proof of any publication.

(2) Project notifications must include specified content.

(i) Any Pre-filing Notification sent by mail or published in a newspaper, periodical, or county/municipal online bulletin board or community resource must, at a minimum, include:

(A) The docket number assigned to the proceeding;

(B) The most recent edition of the Commission's pamphlet Electric Transmission Facilities Permit Process. The newspaper notification need only refer to the pamphlet and indicate the website address where it is available on the Commission's website;

(C) A description of the applicant and a description of the proposed project, its location (including a general location map), its purpose, and the proposed project schedule;

(D) Contact information for the applicant, including a local or toll-free telephone number, the name of a specific contact person who is knowledgeable about the project, and information on how to access the project website;

(E) Information on how to get a copy of the pre-filing information from the applicant and the location(s) where copies of the pre-filing information may be found as specified in paragraph (b) of this section;

(F) A copy of the Director's notification of commencement of the pre-filing process, the Commission's internet address, and contact information for the Commission's Office of Public Participation;

(G) Information explaining the pre-filing and application processes and when and how to intervene in the application proceedings; and

(H) Information explaining that the Commission's pre-filing and application processes are separate from any ongoing State siting proceeding(s) and describing the status of any such State siting proceeding(s).

(ii) In addition to the requirements of paragraph (c)(2)(i) of this section, any Pre-filing Notification sent by mail to an affected landowner must also include:

(A) A general description of the property the applicant will need from an affected landowner if the project is approved;

(B) The most recent edition of the document entitled “Landowner Bill of Rights in Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Electric Transmission Proceedings,” on its own page(s) in at least 12-point font, legible, and contained within the first 10 pages of the notification; and

(C) A brief summary of what specific rights the affected landowner has in proceedings under the eminent domain rules of the relevant State.

(iii) The Application Notification must include the Commission's notice issued under § 50.9 and restate, or clearly identify the location of, the comment and intervention instructions provided in the Commission's notice.

(3) If, for any reason, a person or entity entitled to these notifications has not yet been identified when the notifications under this paragraph (c) are sent or published, the applicant must supply the information required under paragraphs (c)(2)(i) through (iii) of this section, as applicable, when the person or entity is identified.

(4) If the notification is returned as undeliverable, the applicant must make a reasonable attempt to find the correct address and re-send the notification.

(5) Access to critical energy infrastructure information is subject to the requirements of § 388.113 of this chapter.

(a) Introduction. Any applicant seeking a permit to site new electric transmission facilities or modify existing facilities must comply with the following pre-filing procedures prior to filing an application for Commission review.

(b) Initial consultation. An applicant must meet and consult with the Director concerning the proposed project.

(1) At the initial consultation meeting, the applicant must be prepared to discuss the nature of the project, the contents of the pre-filing request, and the status of the applicant's progress toward obtaining the information required for the pre-filing request described in paragraph (c) of this section.

(2) The initial consultation meeting will also include a discussion of whether a third-party contractor is likely to be needed to prepare the environmental documentation for the project and the specifications for the applicant's solicitation for prospective third-party contractors.

(3) The applicant also must discuss how its proposed project will be subject to the Commission's jurisdiction under section 216(b)(1) of the Federal Power Act. If the application is seeking Commission jurisdiction under section 216(b)(1)(C) of the Federal Power Act, the applicant must be prepared to discuss when it filed its application with the State and the status of that application.

(c) Contents of the initial filing. An applicant's pre-filing request cannot be filed prior to the initial consultation and must include the following information:

(1) A description of the schedule desired for the project, including the expected application filing date, desired date for Commission approval, and proposed project operation date, as well as the status of any State siting proceedings.

(2) A detailed description of the project, including location maps and plot plans to scale showing all major components, including a description of zoning and site availability for any permanent facilities.

(3) A list of the permitting entities responsible for conducting separate Federal permitting and environmental reviews and authorizations for the project, including contact names and telephone numbers, and a list of Tribal, State, and local entities with authorization requirements. The filing must include information concerning:

(i) How the applicant intends to account for each of the relevant entity's permitting and environmental review schedules, including its progress in the Department of Energy's pre-application process; and

(ii) When the applicant proposes to file with these permitting and local entities for the respective permits or other authorizations.

(4) A list of all affected landowners and other stakeholders (include contact names and telephone numbers) that have been contacted, or have contacted the applicant, about the project.

(5) A description of completed work, including engagement with Federal, State, and local agencies, Indian Tribes, and stakeholders; project engineering; route planning; environmental and engineering contractor engagement; environmental surveys/studies; open houses; and any work completed or actions taken in conjunction with a State proceeding. This description also must include the identification of the environmental and engineering firms and sub-contractors under contract to develop the project.

(6) Proposals for all prospective third-party contractors from which Commission staff may make a selection to assist in the preparation of the requisite NEPA document, if the Director determined a third-party contractor would be necessary in the Initial Consultation meeting.

(7) A proposed Project Participation Plan, as set forth in § 50.4(a).

(8) A detailed description of how the proposed project will reduce capacity constraints and congestion on the transmission system.

(9) A statement indicating whether the applicant intends to comply with the Applicant Code of Conduct described in § 50.12, and, if not, how the applicant intends to ensure good faith dealings with affected landowners.

(d) Director's notice. (1) When the Director finds that an applicant seeking authority to site and construct an electric transmission facility has adequately addressed the requirements of paragraphs (a), (b), and (c) of this section, and any other requirements determined at the Initial Consultation meeting, the Director will so notify the applicant.

(i) The notification will designate the third-party contractor, if applicable, and

(ii) The pre-filing process will be deemed to have commenced on the date of the Director's notification.

(2) If the Director determines that the contents of the initial pre-filing request are insufficient, the applicant will be notified and given a reasonable time to correct the deficiencies.

(e) Subsequent filing requirements. Upon the Director's issuance of a notice commencing an applicant's pre-filing process, the applicant must:

(1) Within 7 days, finalize and file the Project Participation Plan, as defined in § 50.4(a), and establish the dates and locations at which the applicant will conduct meetings with stakeholders and Commission staff.

(2) Within 14 days, finalize the contract with the selected third-party contractor, if applicable.

(3) Within 14 days:

(i) Provide project notification in compliance with the requirements of § 50.4(c); and

(ii) Notify permitting entities and request information detailing any specific information not required by the Commission in the resource reports required under § 380.16 of this chapter that the permitting entities may require to reach a decision concerning the proposed project. The responses of the permitting entities must be filed with the Commission, as well as being provided to the applicant.

(4) Within 30 days, submit a mailing list of all notifications made under paragraph (e)(3) of this section, including the names of the Federal, State, Tribal, and local jurisdictions' representatives. The list must include information concerning affected landowner notifications that were returned as undeliverable.

(5) Within 30 days, file a summary of the project alternatives considered or under consideration.

(6) Within 30 days, file an updated list of all Federal, State, Tribal, and local agencies permits and authorizations that are necessary to construct the proposed facilities. The list must include:

(i) A schedule detailing when the applications for the permits and authorizations will be submitted (or were submitted);

(ii) Copies of all filed applications; and

(iii) The status of all pending permit or authorization requests and of the Secretary of Energy's pre-application process being conducted under section 216(h)(4)(C) of the Federal Power Act.

(7) Within 30 days, file supporting information showing how the proposed project will reduce capacity constraints and congestion on the transmission system, including:

(i) For each transmission planning region that would be crossed by the proposed project, the most recent regional transmission plan; and

(ii) Expert witness testimony and other relevant information submitted with the State siting application(s), where applicable.

(8) Within 30 days, file the full reports of the System Impact Study for the proposed project if the reports are already completed. If the reports are not already completed at this time, the applicant must alternatively submit a status report that includes when during the pre-filing process the full reports will be submitted.

(9) Within 30 days of submission of the full System Impact Study reports, file a draft Exhibit H—System analysis data required in § 50.7. The pre-filing process will not be concluded until all submittals required in paragraphs (e)(8) and (9) of this section are submitted.

(10) Within 60 days, file the draft resource reports required in § 380.16 of this chapter.

(11) On a monthly basis, file status reports detailing the applicant's project activities, including surveys, stakeholder communications, agency and Tribal meetings, and updates on the status of other required permits or authorizations. If the applicant fails to respond to any request for additional information, fails to provide sufficient information, or is not making sufficient progress towards completing the pre-filing process, the Director may issue a notice terminating the process.

(f) Concluding the pre-filing process. The Director will determine when the information gathered during the pre-filing process is complete, after which the applicant may file an application. An application must contain all the information specified by the Commission staff during the pre-filing process, including the environmental material required in part 380 of this chapter and the exhibits required in § 50.7.

Each application filed under this part must provide the following information:

(a) The exact legal name of applicant; its principal place of business; whether the applicant is an individual, partnership, corporation, or otherwise; the State laws under which the applicant is organized or authorized; and the name, title, and mailing address of the person or persons to whom communications concerning the application are to be addressed.

(b) A concise description of applicant's existing operations, if applicable.

(c) A concise general description of the proposed project sufficient to explain its scope and purpose. The description must, at a minimum: identify the proposed geographic location of the principal project features and the planned routing of the transmission line; contain the general characteristics of the transmission line, including voltage, types of towers, point of receipt and point of delivery, and the geographic character of the area traversed by the line; and be accompanied by an overview map of sufficient scale to show the entire transmission route on one (or a few) 8.5 by 11-inch sheets.

(d) Verification that the proposed route lies within a national interest electric transmission corridor designated by the Secretary of the Department of Energy under section 216 of the Federal Power Act, including the date on which the relevant corridor was designated.

(e) Evidence that:

(1) A State in which the transmission facilities are to be constructed or modified does not have the authority to approve the siting of the facilities or consider the interstate benefits or interregional benefits expected to be achieved by the proposed construction or modification of transmission facilities in the State;

(2) The applicant is a transmitting utility but does not qualify to apply for a permit or siting approval of the proposed project in a State because the applicant does not serve end-use customers in the State; or

(3) A State commission or other entity that has the authority to approve the siting of the facilities has:

(i) Not made a determination on an application seeking approval pursuant to applicable law;

(ii) Conditioned its approval in such a manner that the proposed construction or modification will not significantly reduce transmission capacity constraints or congestion in interstate commerce or is not economically feasible; or

(iii) Denied an application seeking approval pursuant to applicable law.

(f) A demonstration that the facilities to be authorized by the permit will be used for the transmission of electric energy in interstate commerce, and that the proposed construction or modification:

(1) Is consistent with the public interest;

(2) Will significantly reduce transmission congestion in interstate commerce and protects or benefits consumers;

(3) Is consistent with sound national energy policy and will enhance energy interdependence; and

(4) Will maximize, to the extent reasonable and economical, the transmission capabilities of existing towers or structures.

(g) A description of the proposed construction and operation of the facilities, including the proposed dates for the beginning and completion of construction and the commencement of service.

(h) A general description of project financing.

(i) A full statement as to whether any other application to supplement or effectuate the applicant's proposal must be (or is to be) filed by the applicant, any of the applicant's customers, or any other person with any other Federal, State, Tribal, or other regulatory body; and if so, the nature and status of each such application.

(j) A table of contents that must list all exhibits and documents filed in compliance with this part, as well as all other documents and exhibits otherwise filed, identifying them by their appropriate titles and alphabetical letter designations. The alphabetical letter designations specified in § 50.7 must be strictly adhered to and extra exhibits submitted at the volition of applicant must be designated in sequence under the letter Z (Z1, Z2, Z3, etc.).

(k) A form of notice suitable for publication in the Federal Register, as provided by § 50.9(a), which will briefly summarize the facts contained in the application in such a way as to acquaint the public with its scope and purpose. The form of notice also must include the name, address, and telephone number of an authorized contact person.

Each exhibit must contain a title page showing the applicant's name, the title of the exhibit, and the proper letter designation of the exhibit. If an exhibit is 10 or more pages in length, it must include a table of contents citing (by page, section number, or subdivision) the component elements or matters contained in the exhibit.

(a) Exhibit A—Articles of incorporation and bylaws. If the applicant is not an individual, a conformed copy of its articles of incorporation and bylaws, or other similar documents.

(b) Exhibit B—State authorization. For each State where the applicant is authorized to do business, a statement showing the date of authorization, the scope of the business the applicant is authorized to carry on and all limitations, if any, including expiration dates and renewal obligations. A conformed copy of applicant's authorization to do business in each State affected must be supplied upon request.

(c) Exhibit C—Company officials. A list of the names and business addresses of the applicant's officers and directors, or similar officials if the applicant is not a corporation.

(d) Exhibit D—Other pending applications and filings. A list of other applications and filings submitted by the applicant that are pending before the Commission at the time of the filing of an application and that directly and significantly affect the proposed project, including an explanation of any material effect the grant or denial of those other applications and filings will have on the application and of any material effect the grant or denial of the application will have on those other applications and filings.

(e) Exhibit E—Maps of general location of facilities. The general location map required under § 50.5(c) must be provided as Exhibit E. Detailed maps required by other exhibits must be filed in those exhibits, in a format determined during the pre-filing process in § 50.5.

(f) Exhibit F—Environmental report. An environmental report as specified in §§ 380.3 and 380.16 of this chapter. The applicant must submit all appropriate revisions to Exhibit F whenever route or site changes are filed. These revisions must identify the locations by mile post and describe all other specific differences resulting from the route or site changes, and should not simply provide revised totals for the resources affected. The format of the environmental report filing will be determined during the pre-filing process required under § 50.5.

(g) Exhibit G—Engineering data.

(1) A detailed project description including:

(i) Name, point of receipt, and point of delivery of the project;

(ii) Design voltage rating (kV);

(iii) Operating voltage rating (kV);

(iv) Normal peak operating current rating;

(v) Line design features for minimizing television and/or radio interference cause by operation of the proposed facilities; and

(vi) Line design features that minimize audible corona noise during fog/rain caused by operation of the proposed facilities.

(2) A conductor, structures, and substations description including:

(i) Conductor size and type;

(ii) Type of structures, including overhead and underground structures;

(iii) Height of typical structures;

(iv) An explanation why these structures were selected;

(v) Dimensional drawings of the typical structures to be used in the project; and

(vi) A list of the names of all new (and existing, if applicable) substations or switching stations that will be associated with the proposed transmission line.

(3) The location of the site and right-of-way including:

(i) Miles of right-of-way;

(ii) Miles of circuit;

(iii) Width of the right-of-way; and

(iv) A brief description of the area traversed by the proposed transmission line, including a description of the general land uses in the area and the type of terrain crossed by the proposed line;

(4) Assumptions, bases, formulae, and methods used in the development and preparation of the diagrams and accompanying data, and a technical description providing the following information:

(i) Number of circuits, with identification as to whether the circuit is overhead or underground;

(ii) The operating voltage and frequency; and

(iii) Conductor size, conductor type, and number of conductors per phase.

(5) If the proposed project includes an overhead transmission line, the following additional information also must be provided:

(i) The wind and ice loading design parameters;

(ii) A full description and drawing of a typical supporting structure including strength specifications;

(iii) Structure spacing with typical ruling and maximum spans;

(iv) Conductor (phase) spacing; and

(v) The designed line-to-ground and conductor-side clearances.

(6) If an underground or underwater transmission line is proposed, the following additional information also must be provided:

(i) Burial depth;

(ii) Type of cable and a description of any required supporting equipment, such as pressurizing plants;

(iii) Cathodic protection scheme; and

(iv) Type of dielectric fluid and safeguards used to limit potential spills in waterways.

(7) Technical diagrams that provide clarification of any of the above items should be included.

(8) Any other data or information identified as a minimum requirement for the siting of a transmission line in the State in which the facility will be located.

(h) Exhibit H—System analysis data. An analysis evaluating the impact the proposed facilities will have on the existing electric transmission system performance, including:

(1) An analysis of the existing and expected capacity constraints and congestion on the electric transmission system.

(2) Steady-state, short-circuit, and dynamic power flow cases, as applicable, used to analyze the existing transmission system, proposed project, and future transmission system under anticipated load growth, operating conditions, variations in power import and export levels, generation additions and retirements, and additional transmission facilities required for system reliability. The cases must:

(i) Provide all files to model normal, single contingency, multiple contingency, and special protective systems, including the special protective systems' automatic switching or load shedding system; and

(ii) State the assumptions, criteria, and guidelines upon which the models are based and take into consideration transmission facility loading, planned and forecasted forced outage rate for generation and transmission, generation dispatch scenarios, system protection, and system stability.

(3) A concise analysis of how the proposed project will:

(i) Improve system reliability over the long and short term;

(ii) Impact long-term regional transmission expansion plans;

(iii) Impact congestion on the system where the proposed project will be located and, as relevant, the neighboring systems; and

(iv) Incorporate any advanced technology design features, if applicable.

(4) Single-line diagrams, including existing system facilities identified by name and circuit number, that show system transmission elements, in relation to the project and other principal interconnected system elements, as well as power flow and loss data that represent system operating conditions.

(i) Exhibit I—Project Cost and Financing. (1) A statement of estimated costs of any new construction or modification.

(2) The estimated capital cost and estimated annual operations and maintenance expense of each proposed mitigation measure.

(3) A statement and evaluation of the consequences of denial of the transmission line permit application.

(j) Exhibit J—Construction, operation, and management. A concise statement providing arrangements for supervision, management, engineering, accounting, legal, or other similar services to be rendered in connection with the construction, operation, and maintenance of the project, if not to be performed by employees of the applicant, including reference to any existing or contemplated agreements, together with a statement showing any affiliation between the applicant and any parties to the agreements or arrangements.

(a) Applications will be docketed when received and the applicant so advised.

(b) If an application patently fails to comply with applicable statutory requirements or with applicable Commission rules, regulations, and orders for which a waiver has not been granted, the Director may reject the application as provided by § 385.2001(b) of this chapter. This rejection is without prejudice to an applicant refiling a complete application. However, an application will not be rejected solely on the basis that the environmental reports are incomplete because the company has not been granted access by affected landowners to perform required surveys.

(c) An application that relates to a proposed project or modification for which a prior application has been filed and rejected will be docketed as a new application.

(a) Notice of each application filed, except when rejected in accordance with § 50.8, will be issued and subsequently published in the Federal Register.

(b) The notice will establish prompt and binding intermediate milestones and ultimate deadlines for the review of, and Federal authorization decisions relating to, the proposed facilities.

Notices of applications, as provided by § 50.9, will fix the time within which any person desiring to participate in the proceeding may file a petition to intervene, and within which any interested regulatory agency, as provided by § 385.214 of this chapter, desiring to intervene may file its notice of intervention.

(a) The following terms and conditions, along with others that the Commission finds are required by the public interest, will attach to the issuance of each permit and to the exercise of the rights granted under the permit.

(b) The permit will be void and without force or effect unless accepted in writing by the permittee within 30 days from the date of the order issuing the permit. Provided that, when an applicant files for rehearing of the order in accordance with FPA section 313(a), the acceptance must be filed within 30 days after final disposition of the request for rehearing. Provided further, that when a petition for review is filed in accordance with the provisions of FPA section 313(b), the acceptance shall be filed within 30 days after final disposition of the judicial review proceedings thus initiated.

(c) Standards of construction and operation. In determining standard practice, the Commission will be guided by the provisions of the American National Standards Institute, Incorporated, the National Electrical Safety Code, and any other codes and standards that are generally accepted by the industry, except as modified by this Commission or by municipal regulators within their jurisdiction. Each electric utility will construct, install, operate, and maintain its plant, structures, equipment, and lines in accordance with these standards, and in a manner to best accommodate the public, and to prevent interference with service furnished by other public or non-public utilities insofar as practical.

(d) Written authorization must be obtained from the Director prior to commencing construction of the facilities or initiating operations. Requests for these authorizations must demonstrate compliance with all terms and conditions of the construction permit. Provided that, no authorization to proceed with construction activities will be issued:

(1) Until the time for the filing of a request for rehearing under 16 U.S.C. 825l(a) has expired with no such request being filed, or

(2) If a timely request for rehearing raising issues reflecting opposition to project construction, operation, or need is filed, until:

(i) The request is no longer pending before the Commission;

(ii) The record of the proceeding is filed with the court of appeals; or

(iii) 90 days has passed after the date that the request for rehearing may be deemed to have been denied under 16 U.S.C. 825l(a).

(e) Any authorized construction or modification must be completed and made available for service by the permittee within a period of time to be specified by the Commission in each order issuing the transmission line construction permit. If facilities are not completed within the specified timeframe, the permittee must file for an extension of time under § 385.2008 of this chapter.

(f) A permittee must file with the Commission, in writing and under oath, an original and four conformed copies, as provided in § 385.2011 of this chapter, of the following:

(1) Within ten days after the bona fide beginning of construction, notice of the date of the beginning; and

(2) Within ten days after authorized facilities have been constructed and placed in service, notice of the date of the completion of construction and commencement of service.

(g) The permit issued to the applicant may be transferred, subject to the approval of the Commission, to a person who agrees to comply with the terms, limitations or conditions contained in the filing and in every subsequent order issued thereunder. A permit holder seeking to transfer a permit must file with the Secretary a petition for approval of the transfer. The petition must:

(1) State the reasons supporting the transfer;

(2) Show that the transferee is qualified to carry out the provisions of the permit and any orders issued under the permit;

(3) Be verified by all parties to the proposed transfer;

(4) Be accompanied by a copy of the proposed transfer agreement;

(5) Be accompanied by an affidavit of service of a copy on the parties to the permit proceeding; and

(6) Be accompanied by an affidavit of publication of a notice concerning the petition and service of such notice on all affected landowners that have executed agreements to convey property rights to the transferee and all other persons, municipalities or agencies entitled by law to be given notice of, or be served with a copy of, any application to construct a major electric generation facility.

Under section 216(e)(1) of the Federal Power Act, any applicant that may, upon receipt of a permit, seek to acquire the necessary right-of-way by the exercise of the right of eminent domain must demonstrate to the Commission that it has made good faith efforts to engage with landowners and other stakeholders early in the applicable permitting process. An applicant's commitment to and compliance with the Applicant Code of Conduct during the permitting process is one way to demonstrate to the Commission that such good faith efforts have been made with respect to affected landowners.

(a) Applicant code of conduct. To promote good faith engagement with affected landowners, applicants committing to comply with the Applicant Code of Conduct must for the duration of the pre-filing and application review processes:

(1) Develop and maintain a log of discussions with affected landowners, organized by name and property address, that includes:

(i) The name of the affected landowner;

(ii) The substance of the items discussed;

(iii) The nature of the contact (such as in-person, virtual meeting, telephone, electronic mail);

(iv) The date of the contact; and

(v) The status of discussions with the affected landowner following the contact, including any permissions granted, negotiations, or future meetings scheduled.

(2) In addition to the Pre-filing Notification required by § 50.4(c)(1)(i) and (ii), provide to each affected landowner, prior to, during, or within 3 business days of the first contact, a document that, at a minimum, includes: a description of the project, a description of the Commission and its role, a map of the project route, an explanation that affected landowners may request from applicants copies of discussion log entries that pertain to their property and how to make such requests, and the Landowner Bill of Rights in the form described in § 50.4(c)(2)(ii)(B). If the first contact with the affected landowner is in-person, the applicant must offer to provide the affected landowner at least one paper copy of the document. If the first contact with the affected landowner is by telephone, text, or electronic mail, the applicant may provide the affected landowner with a copy of the document by electronic means or by first class mail, at the affected landowner's preference. The applicant must review the provisions of the document with the affected landowner upon request.

(3) Ensure that any representative acting on the applicant's behalf states their full name, title, and employer, as well as the name of the applicant that they represent, and presents a photo identification badge at the beginning of any discussion with an affected landowner, and provides the representative's and applicant's contact information, including mailing address, telephone number, and electronic mail address, prior to the end of the discussion.

(4) Ensure that all communications with affected landowners are factually correct. The applicant must correct any statements made by it or any representative acting on its behalf that it becomes aware were:

(i) Inaccurate when made; or

(ii) Have been rendered inaccurate based on subsequent events, within three business days of discovery of any such inaccuracy.

(5) Ensure that communications with affected landowners do not misrepresent the status of the discussions or negotiations between the parties. Provide an affected landowner upon request a copy of any discussion log entries that pertain to that affected landowner's property.

(6) Provide affected landowners with updated contact information whenever an applicant's contact information changes.

(7) Communicate respectfully with affected landowners and avoid harassing, coercive, manipulative, or intimidating communications or high-pressure tactics.

(8) Except as otherwise provided by State, Tribal, or local law, abide by an affected landowner's request to end the communication or for the applicant or its representative to leave the affected landowner's property.

(9) Except as otherwise provided by State, Tribal, or local law, obtain an affected landowner's permission prior to entering the property, including for survey or environmental assessment, and leave the property without argument or delay if the affected landowner revokes permission.

(10) Refrain from discussing an affected landowner's communications or negotiations status with any other affected landowner.

(11) Provide the affected landowner with a copy of any appraisal that has been prepared by, or on behalf of, the applicant for that affected landowner's property, if any, before discussing the value of the property in question.

(12) Ensure that any representative acting on the applicant's behalf complies with all provisions of the Applicant Code of Conduct described in this paragraph (a).

(b) Compliance with Applicant Code of Conduct. Applicants committing to comply with the Applicant Code of Conduct must:

(1) File, as part of the pre-filing request required by § 50.5(c), an affirmative statement that the applicant intends to comply with the Applicant Code of Conduct.

(2) Include, as part of the monthly status reports required by § 50.5(e)(11):

(i) An affirmation that the applicant and its representatives have, to the best of their knowledge, complied with the Applicant Code of Conduct during the month in question; or

(ii) A detailed explanation of any instances of non-compliance with the Applicant Code of Conduct during the month in question and any remedial actions taken or planned.

(3) Identify, in a filing with the Commission or as part of the monthly status reports required by § 50.5(e)(11), any known instances of non-compliance that were not disclosed in prior monthly status reports and explain any remedial actions taken in the current month to address instances of non-compliance occurring in prior months.

(4) File monthly status reports providing the information required in paragraphs (b)(2) and (3) of this section, for the duration of the application review process.

(c) Compliance with an alternative method. Applicants not committing to comply with the Applicant Code of Conduct must:

(1) File, as part of the pre-filing request required by § 50.5(c):

(i) An affirmative statement that the applicant intends to rely on an alternative method of demonstrating that it meets the good faith efforts standard;

(ii) A detailed explanation of the alternative method of demonstrating that it meets the good faith efforts standard, including any commitments to recordkeeping, information-sharing, or other conduct;

(iii) An explanation of how the alternative method is equal to or better than compliance with the Applicant Code of Conduct as a means to ensure the good faith efforts standard is met;

(iv) An explanation, for each component of the Applicant Code of Conduct with which it does not comply, why it did not follow that component; and

(v) An explanation, for each component of the Applicant Code of Conduct with which it does not comply, why the alternative method is an equal or better means to ensure the good faith standard is met notwithstanding that deviation from the Applicant Code of Conduct.