Presidential Permits

What are they?
Permits for the construction, connection, operation and/or maintenance of electric transmission lines that cross the U.S. international border.

What are the criteria?
Two primary criteria are used to determine if a proposed project is consistent with the public interest.

1. DOE considers the impact the proposed project would have on the operating reliability of the U.S. electric power supply.

2. DOE must comply with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), which requires DOE to consider the environmental consequences of proposed projects.

DOE must also obtain concurrence from the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Defense before issuing a permit.

How much time is required?
6 to 18 months, depending on the extent of the environmental analysis.

Is there a fee?
A filing fee of $150, made payable to the Treasurer of the United States, should be submitted with the application.

Are there any additional costs?
If an environmental assessment or impact statement is required, the cost of the review is added.

Where should I send the application?
An original and ten copies should be mailed to:

     The Department of Energy
     Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability
     OE-20,  Room 6H-034
     1000 Independence Avenue, S.W.,
     Washington, DC 20585

Filings can also be hand-delivered between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.  Please call (202) 586-9624 prior to delivering a filing. 

Export Authorizations

What are they?
Authorizations to export electric energy from the U.S. to foreign countries.

What are the criteria?
Exports are allowed unless:

1. The proposed export would impair the sufficiency of the electric power supply within the U.S.; or

2. The proposed export would cause operating parameters on regional transmission systems to fall outside established industry criteria.

DOE must also comply with NEPA before granting authorization to export electric energy.

How much time is required?
Usually 3 to 6 months.

Is there a fee?
A filing fee of $500, made payable to the Treasurer of the United States, should be submitted with the application.

Where should I send the application?
An application and 15 copies should be mailed to:

     The Department of Energy
     Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability
     OE-20, Room 6H-034
     1000 Independence Avenue, S.W.
     Washington, DC 20585

Filings can also be hand-delivered during the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.  Please call (202) 586-9624 prior to delivering a filing.

Self Certifications

Who must file?
Owners/operators of electric generating facilities, located in the lower 48 contiguous states, that will be used as a baseload facility and who sell more than 50% of the electrical output.

What are the criteria?
The owners/operators of baseload powerplants proposing to use natural gas or petroleum as its primary energy source shall certify, pursuant to FUA Section 201(d) prior to construction or operation that such powerplant has the capability to use coal or another alternate fuel.

What does alternate fuel capability mean?
A powerplant has alternate fuel capability if it:

1. Has sufficient inherent design characteristics to permit the addition of equipment (including all necessary pollution devices) necessary to render such electric powerplant capable of using coal or another alternate fuel as its primary energy source; and

2. Is not physically, structurally, or technologically precluded from using coal or another alternate fuel as its primary energy source.

How much time is required?
DOE will publish a Federal Register notice within two weeks of receipt of a Self-Certification. However, owners/operators are in compliance with this section of the FUA upon their filing with DOE.

Is there a filing fee?
No.

Where should I send the filing?
An original and 1-copy should be mailed to:

     The Department of Energy
     Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability
     OE-20, Room 6H-034
     1000 Independence Avenue, S.W.
     Washington, DC 20585

Filings can also be hand-delivered during the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

Annual Reports

What does it contain?
The Annual Report summarizes the electricity trade between the United States and Canada and Mexico during the previous Calendar Year.

What level of detail is reported?
For each interconnected North American Electric Reliability Council region and their associated importing/exporting utility/firm for Canada and Mexico the following is displayed:

1. A brief description of the interconnecting line (size and location).

2. Calendar Year imports (Mwh) and their associated costs.

3. Calendar Year exports (Mwh) and their associated revenues.

What does the reported energy values represent?
The energy values reported to the Department of Energy contained in the Annual Report represent scheduled transactions. Values reported by Canada's National Energy Board represent metered flows. Those who are interested in international energy transactions should be aware of this difference to help explain any discrepancies in the reported quantities.

Who has to report?
Anyone receiving an export authorization or Presidential permit.

When are the reporting requirements?
Annually or quarterly (by month) depending upon the nature of the export arrangement.

How can I receive a copy?
E-mail or call Steven Mintz at (202) 586-9506