FR 2021-02061

The document in focus here is a notice from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) regarding a submission by Green Mountain Power Corporation to the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (Vermont DEC) for water quality certification. This submission pertains to a project that requires adherence to section 401(a)(1) of the Clean Water Act. The key dates highlighted include the receipt of the certification request on January 22, 2021, and the deadline for Vermont DEC to act on this request, which is one year from the receipt date, January 22, 2022. Should Vermont DEC fail to act within this period, their authority to certify the project is automatically waived.

General Summary

This notice is primarily a procedural announcement underscoring the timeline Vermont DEC has to respond to Green Mountain Power Corporation’s certification request. The notice sets clear expectations regarding the consequences of inaction, aligning with federal regulatory requirements. Its structure is informative, laying down the timeline and legal basis succinctly.

Significant Issues and Concerns

The document leaves several aspects vague, particularly the lack of detail about the "above captioned project." Without understanding the specifics of the project, readers are left guessing about its environmental scope and significance. Furthermore, the metadata’s absence of an abstract suggests a missed opportunity to provide a concise summary or purpose, which could clarify the document’s intent more transparently.

Another concern is the one-year period allocated for Vermont DEC to act on the certification request. While it follows regulatory guidelines, the document does not elaborate on why this duration is deemed necessary, leading to possible questions regarding procedural efficiency. The document also omits a detailed explanation of the implications of a waiver, leaving stakeholders to ponder the broader consequences of such an event.

Impact on the Public

The broader public might be impacted by this notice if it pertains to a project having significant environmental or community repercussions. However, without specific project details, evaluating these potential impacts remains speculative. The notice primarily serves a procedural function, ensuring regulatory compliance and timelines are observed.

Impact on Specific Stakeholders

For stakeholders directly involved, such as Green Mountain Power Corporation and Vermont DEC, this notice delineates clear boundaries within which they must operate. Green Mountain Power is assured of a concrete timeline on the certification, knowing if DEC fails to respond within a year, they are free from needing additional state certification to proceed, potentially expediting their project.

Conversely, for environmental watchdogs or community groups concerned with the project’s environmental impact, the waiver could be seen as a loss of oversight. If Vermont DEC does not issue a certification, the project's environmental consequences might not be fully scrutinized, posing risks to local environments or communities.

In conclusion, while the notice is a formal statement aligned with regulatory norms, its lack of specificity about the project and the potential consequences of a waiver could be areas of contention or concern for various interest groups.