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Proposed Rule2026-036572026-02-24

Categorical Exclusion Under the National Environmental Policy Act for Certain Terminations or Revocations of Water Power Licenses and Exemptions

Energy Department, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

Abstract

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission) proposes to amend section 380.4 of its regulations implementing the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to expand an existing Categorical Exclusion (CE). A CE describes a category of actions that a Federal agency has determined normally does not significantly affect the quality of the human environment, absent extraordinary circumstances, and so does not trigger NEPA's requirement to prepare an environmental document. The proposed revision would add a category of actions to an existing CE to include terminations or revocations of water power licenses and exemptions that will result in minor or no ground disturbing activity and minor or no changes in reservoir conditions and downstream flows.

Action & Dates

Action
Notice of proposed rulemaking; request for comments.
Dates
Comments are due March 26, 2026.

CFR References

Topics

Environmental impact statementsReporting and recordkeeping requirements

Public Comment

Comments Close
2026-03-26

Document Excerpt

Document Headings Document headings vary by document type but may contain the following: the agency or agencies that issued and signed a document the number of the CFR title and the number of each part the document amends, proposes to amend, or is directly related to the agency docket number / agency internal file number the RIN which identifies each regulatory action listed in the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions See the Document Drafting Handbook for more details. Department of Energy Federal Energy Regulatory Commission 18 CFR Part 380 [Docket No. RM26-7-000] AGENCY: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking; request for comments. SUMMARY: The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission) proposes to amend section 380.4 of its regulations implementing the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to expand an existing Categorical Exclusion (CE). A CE describes a category of actions that a Federal agency has determined normally does not significantly affect the quality of the human environment, absent extraordinary circumstances, and so does not trigger NEPA's requirement to prepare an environmental document. The proposed revision would add a category of actions to an existing CE to include terminations or revocations of water power licenses and exemptions that will result in minor or no ground disturbing activity and minor or no changes in reservoir conditions and downstream flows. DATES: Comments are due March 26, 2026. ADDRESSES: Comments, identified by docket number, may be filed in the following ways. Electronic filing through http://www.ferc.gov , is preferred. Electronic Filing: Documents must be filed in acceptable native applications and print-to-PDF, but not in scanned or picture format. For those unable to file electronically, comments may be filed by USPS mail or by hand (including courier) delivery. ○ Mail via U.S. Postal Service Only: Addressed to: Federal Energy Regulatory Commi

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Related Documents

Other Federal Register documents from the same docket.

Full Document

Citation: 91 FR 8799