Overview
Title
Combined Notice of Filings
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission got some papers from a company called Mountain Valley Pipeline. These papers talk about new money agreements for using gas pipes, and people can say what they think about it until January 27, 2025.
Summary AI
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has announced receiving filings related to Natural Gas Pipeline Rate and Refund Report from Mountain Valley Pipeline, LLC. These filings involve negotiated rate agreements effective from January 14, 2025, with public comments due by January 27, 2025. Interested parties may view these filings online and must file to intervene or protest by the specified comment date to become involved in the proceedings. The Commission encourages eFiling and provides resources and assistance through its Office of Public Participation to help the public engage with the process.
Keywords AI
Sources
AnalysisAI
The document in question is a notice from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) announcing the receipt of filings regarding negotiated rate agreements by Mountain Valley Pipeline, LLC. These rate filings are part of the standard regulatory processes for energy infrastructure, specifically concerning natural gas pipelines. The filings were submitted on January 13, 2025, and are set to be effective from January 14, 2025. Interested parties have until January 27, 2025, to provide comments or to intervene in the proceedings.
General Summary
The document is essentially a public announcement from FERC detailing the receipt of two specific natural gas pipeline rate filings. These are official filings by Mountain Valley Pipeline, LLC, marked under two different docket numbers: RP25-351-000 and RP25-352-000. Both filings state the same filing and effective dates, which might imply they are very similar or possibly part of a coordinated rate adjustment strategy. The document serves as a formal invitation for public comment and participation from stakeholders who may be affected by these rate filings.
Significant Issues or Concerns
One of the notable aspects of this notice is the lack of differentiation between the two docket filings given that their descriptions are identical. This could lead to confusion or raise questions about what actually sets these filings apart. Clarification of the unique aspects of each filing could be beneficial for stakeholders and public understanding.
The language used in the document is technical and cites specific regulatory rules (e.g., Rules 211, 214, or 206) without elaboration. This might create barriers for those unfamiliar with FERC's regulatory framework, particularly members of the public who wish to participate but lack legal expertise.
Another concern is the absence of information on the potential impacts of the negotiated rate agreements. Understanding the implications of these rates is crucial for stakeholders, especially those who may be directly affected, such as energy consumers, environmental groups, or local communities.
Impact on the Public
On a broad scale, rate filings such as these can have significant implications for the cost and availability of natural gas. If approved, these rates will impact how much customers might pay and could affect the broader energy market and related industries. Thus, transparency in explaining these impacts is essential.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
Certain groups may be more directly affected by these filings. For instance, landowners along the pipeline route, energy consumers, and environmental advocacy groups may have particular concerns or interests. The Office of Public Participation is highlighted as a resource to assist these stakeholders, but further details on how it can aid engagement, particularly for those with environmental or social justice concerns, would be beneficial.
Effective public participation is crucial in regulatory processes. Hence, the document's encouragement of eFiling and mention of support mechanisms, such as the Office of Public Participation, are positive steps. Yet, providing more tailored guidance or support options for specific groups might enhance their ability to engage effectively in the proceedings.
Issues
• The document does not provide an abstract in the metadata section, which may limit the understanding of its context without reading the full text.
• Both filings (RP25-351-000 and RP25-352-000) are submitted by the same applicant (Mountain Valley Pipeline, LLC) on the same date with seemingly identical descriptions. More detail on distinctions between these filings may be necessary for clarity.
• The use of '§ 4(d) Rate Filing: Negotiated Rate Agreement—1/14/2025 to be effective 1/14/2025' is repeated for both docket numbers without a clear explanation of what differentiates them.
• The language, such as 'in accordance with Rules 211, 214, or 206 of the Commission's Regulations', might be complex for individuals unfamiliar with the specific regulations, and it could benefit from simplification or elaboration.
• No clear mention is made regarding the potential impacts of the negotiated rate agreements, which might be of concern for public understanding.
• The notice briefly mentions the role of the Commission's Office of Public Participation but lacks details on how it might support specific identified groups, such as how they can effectively engage or participate.