Print this page Natural Gas & Hydropower Projects – Handbook for Using Third-Party Contractors to Prepare Environmental Documents
H. Wayne Harper, P.E.
Course Outline
This four hour course provides an overview of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission – Office of Energy Projects’ (OEP) voluntary third-party contractor (3PC) program for natural gas and hydropower projects to assist with the environmental permitting process. Complied by the OEP, the material details six topics; 1) Program Overview; 2) Process for selecting a 3PC; 3) “Request for Proposal” to solicit a 3PC; 4) 3PC required responsibilities; 5) 3PC Organizational Conflict of Interest (OCI); and 6) Off-the-record communications. After completing this course, the student will have a thorough understanding of the OEP’s 3PC program, as well as, the established relationships between the three primary parties; the Applicant, OEP, and 3PC.
This course includes a multiple-choice quiz at the end, which is designed to enhance the understanding of course materials.
Learning Objective
At the conclusion of this course, the student will:
- Understand the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission – Office of Energy Projects’ (OEP) voluntary third-party contractor (3PC) program;
- Learn how the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) are satisfied by utilizing the 3PC program;
- Be knowledgeable of the Applicant’s Request for Proposal process for solicitation of a 3PC;
- Understand the differences in Request for Proposals between those projects utilizing the “pre-filing process” approach and the “traditional application” approach;
- Be familiar with the designated 3PC evaluation / selection criteria;
- Be aware of the proposed project information required in the Applicant’s Request for Proposal for review by potential 3PCs;
- Understand the roles and responsibilities of the selected 3PC for a potential project;
- Understand the established relationships between the three primary parties of the 3PC program - the Applicant, OEP; and 3PC;
- Be knowledgeable of Organizational Conflict of Interest (OCI) constraints for 3PCs;
- Be familiar with the OEP methods available to resolve OCIs for potential 3PCs;
- Be aware of the OEP’s off-the-record communication requirements; and
- Be aware of the OEP’s Critical Energy Infrastructure non-disclosure agreement requirements.
Intended Audience
This course is intended for environmental, civil, and petroleum engineers.
Benefit for Attendee
Attendee of this course will have a thorough understanding of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission – Office of Energy Projects’ voluntary third-party contractor program, which is designed to facilitate the environmental permitting process for proposed natural gas and hydropower projects. This knowledge could prove invaluable for project Applicant(s) during the preliminary planning and environmental permitting processes associated with these types of energy projects.
Course Introduction
Within the United States each year, numerous natural gas and hydropower projects are proposed which require review and approval of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission – Office of Energy Projects (OEP). To facilitate the environmental permitting processes, the OEP has established the third-party contractor (3PC) program. Funded by project Applicant(s), this voluntary program is primarily intended to address the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. This course provides a thorough understanding of the OEP’s 3PC program, as well as, the established relationships between the three primary parties; the Applicant, OEP, and 3PC. This knowledge could prove invaluable for project Applicant(s) during the preliminary planning and environmental permitting processes associated with these types of energy projects.
Course Content
The course content is contained in the following PDF file:
Please click on the above underlined hypertext to view, download or print the document for your study. Because of the large file size, we recommend that you first save the file to your computer by right clicking the mouse and choosing "Save Target As ...", and then open the file in Adobe Acrobat Reader. If you still experience any difficulty in downloading or opening this file, you may need to close some applications or reboot your computer to free up some memory.
Course Summary
The development of our nation’s natural gas and hydropower infrastructure can occur while protecting associated sensitive environmental resources. To address the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission – Office of Energy Projects developed the voluntary third-party contractor (3PC) program. Project Applicant(s) utilizing this program help expedite the OEP’s environmental review and permitting processes for their proposed energy project.
Related Links
For additional technical information related to this subject, please visit the following websites or web pages:
NaturalGas.com via http://www.naturalgas.com/index.asp
The Interstate Natural Gas Association of America (INGAA) via http://www.ingaa.com/
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) via http://www.ferc.gov/about/about.asp
The Energy Information Administration (EIA) via http://www.eia.doe.gov/oil_gas/natural_gas/info_glance/natural_gas.html
The International Hydropower Association via http://www.hydropower.com/
The National Hydropower Association via http://www.hydro.com/
The U.S. Department of Energy via http://www.energy.gov/energysources/hydropower.htm
Quiz
Once you finish studying the above course content, you need to take a quiz to obtain the PDH credits.
DISCLAIMER: The materials contained in the online course are not intended as a representation or warranty on the part of PDH Center or any other person/organization named herein. The materials are for general information only. They are not a substitute for competent professional advice. Application of this information to a specific project should be reviewed by a registered architect and/or professional engineer/surveyor. Anyone making use of the information set forth herein does so at their own risk and assumes any and all resulting liability arising therefrom.
