FERC's Office of Public Participation details how the public can follow and weigh in on energy cases

Nicole Sitaraman, director of the Office of Public Participation at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, and Joe Rosenthal, OPP deputy director, outlined how members of the public can track and take part in FERC proceedings, from pipeline certificate reviews to hydropower relicensing and electric-transmission rulemakings.

"FERC proceedings can impact the cost and reliability of your energy services and the types of infrastructure built in your community and your land," Sitaraman said, urging people to place their perspectives on the official record. The office's stated mission, she said, is to empower, promote and support public understanding and participation in those proceedings.

Rosenthal described practical steps for people who want to learn about a proposal and submit a comment. He pointed viewers to FERC's eLibrary on ferc.gov as the primary source for filings and notices in any docket, and to OPP's web area at ferc.gov/opp for workshop videos and guidance. "If you're still having trouble, let us know, and we will be glad to walk you through it," Rosenthal said.

The presentation emphasized two specific tools. First, eLibrary contains the public filings, maps, notices and other materials that explain a project and any agency notices or meeting schedules. Second, eSubscription lets users register to receive email alerts when filings are made or rulings and notices are issued in a docket they follow; Rosenthal said this can help community members learn about local open houses or FERC scoping meetings.

OPP also offers instructional videos and step-by-step assistance on how to file a comment in the correct docket and how to format submissions so they appear in the official record. Rosenthal said the office can help people identify the right proceeding, use FERC's filing systems and learn best practices for making comments that highlight impacts on wildlife, farms, private land or local economies.

While acknowledging OPP is a small office, Rosenthal said OPP maintains remote staff around the country and seeks to attend many public meetings and scoping events; attendees may see an OPP table at such events. He reiterated that people do not need to travel to Washington to participate and that OPP is available to assist by phone, email or virtual meetings.

The presentation closed with an invitation to provide feedback on OPP services and a reminder that public participation furnishes FERC with information it needs to decide on certificates, relicensing and market rules. "FERC needs and desires your perspective," Rosenthal said, and OPP encouraged viewers to reach out for help navigating deadlines or systems.

The video did not announce any formal decisions or rule changes; it was instructional in nature. For more information, the presenters directed viewers to ferc.gov, ferc.gov/opp, the eLibrary, and the eSubscription service.