Pipeline Safety Coalition has compiled the following list of FERC Tips from our involvement in Chester County, Pennsylvania interstate gas transmission pipeline projects over the years.
- “Stakeholders” refers to all parties involved in pipeline issues. “Landowners” are referred to as and considered to be stakeholders.
- A pipeline company or operator is an Applicant. The Applicant is not required to contact state and local agencies or landowners prior to submitting its pre-filing application to FERC.
- The Applicant identifies the stakeholders. FERC does not mandate who shall be considered a stakeholder.
- Once an Applicant files a request to FERC to review its project, the Applicant begins to give notice to state and county agencies and all “affected” landowners as to where the project will be located.
- Notice to landowners by the Applicant, as required by law include must be made in a good faith effort by mail or by hand:
- A Landowner is required to receive good faith effort notification include:
- landowners whose land will be crossed or used by the “proposed activity”
- landowners whose land abuts the pipeline
- landowners whose residence (house) is within 50’ of the proposed construction
- Notice is published in the FERC Federal Register and a local newspaper and will include:
- location of the pipeline
- docket number of the filing
- instructions on how to get a copy of the application (usually on the FERC website)
- the date motions to intervene are due
- The Applicant will hold an “open house” to discuss the project. You should attend even if your land does not appear to be directly impacted. Obtain as much information about the proposed route as possible. If it appears that the pipeline route will not cross your property, you should still File as an Intervenor. The route may change and cross or abut your property, and intervenor status allows you to help protect the interests of your community, environment and watersheds.