On October 9, 2019, President Trump issued Executive Order 13892 on agency civil 

administrative enforcement and adjudication. Section 7 of the Executive Order requires 

each agency that conducts civil administrative inspections to publish a rule of agency 

procedures governing such inspections, if such a rule does not already exist. The Federal 

Energy Regulatory Commission conducts civil administrative inspections of certain natural 

gas and hydroelectric facilities though its Office of Energy Projects (OEP). In compliance 

with the Executive Order, below are guidelines that the Commission’s OEP follows for 

civil administrative inspections: 

Inspection Guidelines – Office of Energy Projects (OEP)

Division of Dam Safety and Inspections (D2SI)

The construction, operation, maintenance, use, repair or modification of any hydroelectric 

project works are subject to the inspection and supervision of the Regional Engineer or any 

other authorized Commission representative. Commission staff will perform periodic dam 

safety inspections as required by the Federal Power Act to ensure that the project can 

continue to operate safely. Typically, inspections are performed annually for high and 

significant hazard potential structures and every three years for low hazard potential 

structures. Prior to the inspections taking place, except when more immediate action is 

required to protect public safety, Commission staff will contact the Project Operator to 

schedule the date of inspection. Project Operator staff are expected to accompany 

Commission staff during the inspection. Specific details regarding site safety, features to 

be inspected, and other logistics will be coordinated in advance of the inspection. After the 

inspection, Commission staff will relay the results of the inspection to the Project Operator

in the form of a written inspection report. 

For further information please contact: Office of Energy Projects, 202.502.8700

Division of Gas Environment and Engineering (DG2E)

During the construction and construction restoration of interstate natural gas pipeline

facilities, Commission staff or their designated contractor will periodically inspect the 

project facilities to ensure that the owner is complying with the terms of the Commission 

issued certificate. These inspections are done when necessary and can vary significantly 

in frequency depending on the scope of the project and/or difficulties or concerns raised 

during the construction and restoration process. While the terms of the certificate vary for 

each project, overall, Commission staff or their designated contractor will coordinate the 

schedule and scope of the inspection with the Project Operator, and the Project Operator’s

environmental inspector will typically accompany the Commission staff or their designated 
contractor during the inspection. The primary purpose of the inspection is to ensure that 

the environmental conditions of the pipeline owner/operator’s construction and restoration 

of the project area is in compliance with the Commission’s authorization. After the 

inspection, Commission staff will provide the results of the inspection to the owner in the 

form of a written inspection report that is filed in the Commission’s public record under 

the FERC docket for the inspected facility.

For further information please contact: Office of Energy Projects, 202.502.8700

Division of LNG Facility Review and Inspections (DLNG)

Following commencement of construction of an LNG facility, the facility is subject to 

regular Commission staff technical reviews and field inspections. Additionally, once the 

LNG facility commences operations, the facility is subject to regular Commission staff 

technical reviews and site inspections on at least an annual or biennial basis, or more 

frequently as circumstances indicate. The primary purpose of the inspections is to ensure 

that the LNG facility is in compliance with the conditions of the Commission’s 

authorization. Prior to each site inspection, except when more immediate action is required 

in response to unexpected incidents, Commission staff provides the Project Operator

information relating to both the scope of the discussions related to the review of technical 

data information and areas that will be covered during the field inspections of the facilities 

themselves. Commission staff contacts the Project Operator to coordinate all dates for 

inspections. Following completion of construction inspections, Commission staff files the 

inspection report in the public FERC docket for the inspected facility. Following 

completion of operational inspections, Commission staff sends the Project Operator a letter 

with Post-Inspection Recommendations and files the letter in the public FERC docket for 

the inspected facility.

For further information please contact: Office of Energy Projects, 202.502.8700

Division of Hydropower Administration and Compliance (DHAC)

Once a license or exemption is granted to a hydroelectric facility, Commission staff ensures 

that the regulated entity maintains compliance with the terms and conditions of its

respective licenses or exemptions to protect, mitigate and enhance beneficial public uses 

and environmental resources of hydropower projects. Once a license or exemption is 

granted, Commission staff is responsible for tracking and administering the license 

requirements, inspecting site conditions, investigating compliance issues, and assessing 

penalties. Periodically throughout the term of the license, the project’s public use facilities 

and environmental mitigation measures are inspected by Commission staff, or its 

designated contractor, to review on-site compliance with the license requirements. Prior 
to each site inspection, Commission staff sends Project Operators letters confirming 

upcoming/scheduled environmental inspections at hydroelectric facilities. After the 

inspection is completed, Commission staff sends the Project Operator a letter that identifies 

items that need attention (the length can differ depending on how many items need 

attention).

For further information please contact: Office of Energy Projects, 202.502.8700