Senate committee introduces RS31801 to route FERC land-use assessments to state energy fund

The Idaho Senate Environment and Energy Committee voted to introduce RS31801, a bill that would direct the state's portion of assessments paid by Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) licensees for federal land use into a dedicated fund administered by the Governor’s Office of Energy and Mineral Resources.

The bill would update Idaho code to “harmonize” existing language and make explicit that the state’s remitted funds be used by the Office of Energy and Mineral Resources for coordinating and advancing the state’s energy and mining policies, particularly on projects that implicate the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process.

Richard Stover, administrator of the Idaho Governor’s Office of Energy and Mineral Resources, told the committee the legislation responds to a recent rise in projects that require state engagement. “In the last 3 years, we have seen approximately a 40% increase in energy and mining projects coming through our office that implicate the NEPA process,” Stover said, and he added that the bulk of those projects are hydropower and mining operations.

Stover said about 32 hydropower projects in Idaho currently pay these assessments and that many will face relicensing over the next 20 years. He told the committee the assessments already are paid by FERC licensees and that the measure would direct the small portion remitted to Idaho into an existing dedicated fund to support the office’s work without reducing other program revenues.

Senator Harris moved to introduce RS31801 and send it to print; Senator Cook seconded. The committee voiced its approval by voice vote and the motion passed.

Stover said utilities that own the hydropower projects have been supportive. He described the funding level discussed as about $150,000 annually, paid by FERC licensees, and intended to preserve the state’s capacity to engage in licensing and permitting processes."