Energy Regulation: Opportunities for Strengthening Hydropower Cumulative Impact Assessments
RCED-88-82
Published: Mar 10, 1988. Publicly Released: Mar 24, 1988.
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Highlights
In response to a congressional request, GAO examined the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's (FERC) responsibilities under the Federal Power Act for assessing the cumulative impact of hydroelectric power projects on natural resources, specifically: (1) FERC plans for using the River Basin Environmental Impact Statement Procedure (EIS) as an alternative to the Cluster Impact Assessment Procedure (CIAP); and (2) deficiencies in FERC impact assessment procedures and whether the development of comprehensive plans can address these deficiencies.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Federal Energy Regulatory Commission | The Chairman, FERC, should formally announce FERC plans for using CIAP, EIS, or some other procedure to carry out future assessments and provide interested parties with an opportunity to comment on such plans. |
Closed – Implemented
FERC plans no action to formally announce plans for using any particular procedures for assessing cumulative impacts in river basins prior to the review. FERC maintains that environmental assessments (EA) and environmental impact statements (EIS) will have a section on cumulative impacts. In addition, the manner in which cumulative impacts were addressed will be explained in the EA and EIS.
|
| Federal Energy Regulatory Commission | The Chairman, FERC, should direct FERC staff to take an active role in implementing section 10(a)(2) of the Federal Power Act by encouraging and facilitating the development of comprehensive plans prepared by states and federal agencies. Such action could involve, among other things: (1) providing timely information to states and agencies on whether plans that they submitted meet the requirements of section 10(a)(2) and how they can be modified to meet the requirements; and (2) holding workshops with state and federal agencies on how comprehensive plans can be prepared. |
Closed – Implemented
FERC issued an order which directed FERC staff to: (1) advise filers of river basin plans as to whether they meet the requirements for comprehensive plans and, if not, why not; and (2) make itself available to discuss comprehensive planning with state and federal personnel.
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Agency missionsEnvironmental impact statementsEnvironmental lawEvaluation methodsstate relationsHydroelectric powerplantsNatural resourcesWater powerPublic interestInterested parties