Understanding Competing Preliminary Permit Application in Water Power Law
Definition & Meaning
A competing preliminary permit application refers to a request for permission to develop a water power project that seeks to utilize the same water resources as another project for which a preliminary permit is already pending with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). This means that if two or more applications are filed for similar projects in the same area, the one that was submitted first will generally take precedence.
Legal Use & context
This term is primarily used in the context of energy regulation and water resource management. Competing preliminary permit applications are relevant in the field of environmental law, particularly concerning the development of hydroelectric power projects. Applicants may need to navigate complex regulatory frameworks and may benefit from legal forms and templates to ensure compliance with FERC requirements.
Real-world examples
Here are a couple of examples of abatement:
Example 1: Company A submits a preliminary permit application to develop a hydroelectric project on River X. Shortly after, Company B files a competing application for a project on the same river, which would utilize the same water resources. In this case, Company A's application may take precedence since it was filed first.
Example 2: A community group files for a preliminary permit to develop a small-scale hydro project. Another developer submits a competing application for a larger project on the same waterway. The FERC will evaluate both applications to determine which project can proceed.
Relevant laws & statutes
The primary regulation governing competing preliminary permit applications is found in Title 18 of the Code of Federal Regulations, specifically 18 CFR 4.30. This regulation outlines the definitions and procedures related to preliminary permits for water power projects.