FERC will take public input on the commission’s nascent Office of Public Participation (OPP) during “listening sessions” on March 17 to 25. The sessions will be led by commission staff, although commissioners may also attend.

In December, Congress ordered FERC to act on a directive it had ignored for four decades to establish the office to “coordinate assistance to the public with respect to authorities exercised by the commission,” including help for those seeking to intervene in commission proceedings.

The office had been ordered by Congress in the 1978 Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act, but the commission failed to act even after more than two dozen environmental and public interest groups filed a rulemaking request in 2016 (RM16-9). (See Citizens Groups Seek Public Funding for FERC Interventions.)

In the appropriations bill approved in December, Congress ordered the commission to issue a report on the office’s status by June 25, including an organizational structure and “budget for the office sufficient to carry out its statutory obligations.” FERC Chairman Richard Glick said he would obey the directive and appointed new Commissioner Allison Clements to oversee its creation.

Each listening session will allow members of the public to speak for three to five minutes. Links to preregister are below:

• Landowners and Communities Affected by Infrastructure Development: March 17, 1-2:30 p.m.
• Environmental Justice Communities and Tribal Interests: March 22, 1-2:30 p.m.
• Tribal Governments: March 24, Session 1: 10-11:30 a.m.; Session 2: 1-2:30 p.m.
• Energy Consumers and Consumer Advocates: March 25, 1-2:30 p.m.

There will also be all-day commissioner-led workshop on April 16, at which FERC will seek input on:

• the office’s function and scope as authorized by Section 319 of the Federal Power Act;
• the office’s organizational structure and approach, including the use of equity assessment tools;
• participation by tribes, environmental justice communities, and other affected individuals and communities, including those who have not historically participated before the commission; and
• intervenor compensation.

Those requesting to speak should submit nominations by this Wednesday.