FERC Seeks to Boost Participation in Divisive Project Reviews

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is ramping up outreach efforts to allow landowners and communities affected by natural gas and hydropower development to more easily participate in the agency’s arcane proceedings that have become more divisive in recent years.

The FERC Office of Public Participation has fielded nearly 1,000 inquiries since it was established in June 2021 and expanded outreach efforts to areas of the country experiencing the effects of FERC decisions, said Nicole Sitaraman, the office’s acting director.

Office staff traveled to 23 states and 40 cities and towns to hold meetings, according to its ...