Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
2009
On April 9, MMS signed a memorandum of understand-
ing with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
(FERC). The memorandum clarified that MMS has exclu-
sive jurisdiction with regard to the production, transporta-
tion, or transmission of energy from nonhydrokinetic
renewable energy sources, including wind and solar. FERC
has exclusive jurisdiction to issue licenses for the con-
struction and operation of hydrokinetic projects, includ-
ing wave and current, but companies will be required first
to obtain a lease through MMS.
2009
On April 29, MMS published a final rule (30 CFR Part 285,
74 FR 81, pp. 19638-19871) establishing a regulatory
framework for leasing and managing renewable energy proj-
ect activities on the U.S. OCS. The regulations are intended
to encourage orderly, safe, and environmentally responsi-
ble development of renewable energy sources on the OCS.
Subpart G covers the technical reports that must be sub-
mitted on the final design, fabrication, and installation of
facilities. It also lays out a third-party verification process
that requires use of a “certified verification agent” (CVA)
to verify and certify that projects are designed, fabricated,
and installed in conformance with accepted engineering
practices and with the submitted reports.
The regulations specify that part of the CVA's responsibil-
ity in the design phase is to conduct an independent assess-
ment to ensure that the facility is designed to withstand the
environmental and functional load conditions appropri-
ate for the intended service life at the proposed location.
The regulations also specify that part of the CVA's respon-
sibility in the fabrication and installation phases is to use
good engineering judgment and practices in conducting
an independent assessment of fabrication and installation
(continued on next page)
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