News April–June 2006
News Release: May 2, 2006 | View Printable PDF Version |
Commission establishes LNG Compliance Branch
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Chairman Joseph T. Kelliher
today announced the establishment of a new Liquefied Natural Gas
(LNG) Compliance Branch within the Office of Energy Projects to
further the Commission's mission to ensure the safe and environmentally
responsible construction and operation of LNG facilities.
“The Commission has become a focal point for assuring that
our nation's delivery infrastructure for clean natural gas is
met. This will only continue as the industry seeks to ensure adequate
LNG import capacity to meet our nation's needs,” Chairman
Joseph T. Kelliher said. “We previously established the
LNG Engineering Branch to centralize the Commission's LNG engineering
expertise. This restructuring will better position the Commission
as its inspection and compliance workload grows with the increase
in LNG import capacity.”
The LNG Compliance Branch will be responsible for the Commission's
continued safety inspections and oversight of operating LNG facilities.
The staff, comprised of LNG engineers, civil and mechanical engineers,
and other experts, will also review final facility design and
engineering compliance with Commission orders. Chris Zerby has
been appointed Chief of the new branch.
Mr. Zerby has been a member of the Commission's staff since 1975,
performing environmental, design, and safety reviews and analyses
primarily of LNG and interstate natural gas pipeline project proposals.
He received a Masters of Science degree in 1974 from the University
of Maryland in civil engineering after receiving a Bachelor of
Science degree in mechanical engineering from Lehigh University.
He was appointed in 2004 to head the then newly formed LNG Engineering
branch within OEP.
Terry Turpin has been appointed Acting Chief of the LNG Engineering
Branch, replacing Zerby. This branch is charged with conducting
thorough reviews and analyses of LNG proposals; preparing environmental,
security and safety impact statements published for public review
and comment; monitoring projects during construction; and conducting
annual/biennial inspections of facility operations.
Mr. Turpin, who has been a member of the Commission staff since
1998, received a Bachelor of Science degree in 1992 from Virginia
Polytechnic Institute and State University and is a Registered
Professional Engineer. During his tenure at FERC, Mr. Turpin has
analyzed the design, safety and environmental aspects of LNG import
terminals and peak-shaving plant proposals; performed thermal
radiation and vapor dispersion modeling; and conducted annual/biennial
inspections of facility operations.
Both the new LNG Compliance Branch and the LNG Engineering Branch
will work together and will continue coordinating with the U.S.
Coast Guard, the U.S. Department of Transportation and other federal,
state and local agencies to address safety and security at LNG
facilities.
There are currently 17 operating LNG import and peak-shaving facilities
under FERC jurisdiction and subject to its inspection program.
Five of the eight FERC-approved import terminals are under construction.
There are currently under FERC review 19 proposals for new LNG
facilities.
R-06-27
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