FERC Signs MOU With Corps – Why Not Other Agencies?

According to this Press Release, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Corps of Engineers “to streamline regulatory processes through early coordination to
identify project purposes, needs and alternatives that each agency can
use in carrying out its respective regulatory responsibilities.”  The MOU will apply to FERC’s  licensing of  interstate natural gas pipelines, storage facilities and liquified natural gas terminals (LNG’s), processes which also impinge on the Corps’ jurisdiction under the Rivers and Harbors Act and Clean Water Act.

The FERC-Corps MOU does not affect the licensing process for ocean projects directly (in fact, the Corps does not typically require a Section 10 permit when FERC issues a license).  But the whole concept of  “streamlining” is very relevant to licensing kinetic hydro, wave and tidal/current projects because it can expedite an already lengthy process.  One of our goals at OREC for the upcoming year will be to encourage FERC and other agencies to enter into MOUs to speed up the permitting process.