Opinion ID: 1031060
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Relevant Statutes and Agencies Involved in Authorizing the Project.

Text: The Natural Gas Act, 15 U.S.C. §§ 717 to 717z, requires a party seeking to construct a LNG terminal to obtain authorization from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). Id. § 717b(a). In order to do so, applicants must comply with the Natural Gas Act's requirements as well as complete FERC's extensive pre-filing process. 18 C.F.R. § 157.21. FERC must then consult with the appropriate state agencies on numerous state and local issues. 15 U.S.C. § 717b-1(b). FERC carries out reviews under the Natural Gas Act and the National Environmental Policy Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 4321-4370f, and, as the statutorily designated lead agency, coordinates other agencies' reviews related to a LNG project under other applicable statutes. 15 U.S.C. § 717n(b)(1). The FERC docket serves as a central conduit and repository for information requests and responses and is the foundation for the consolidated record for petitions for review, such as this one, concerning water quality certifications under the Clean Water Act. 15 U.S.C. § 717n(d). The Army Corps of Engineers (the Corps) issues authorizations pursuant to § 404 of the Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C. § 1344, and § 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899, 33 U.S.C. § 403, to conduct dredging in navigable waters of the United States and to discharge dredged and fill materials into jurisdictional wetlands and waters. Other federal agencies participated in FERC's review of the Project, with comments being submitted by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the United States Fish & Wildlife Service. The Maryland Department of the Environment (Maryland) is charged with reviewing the Project under the Coastal Facilities Review Act, Md.Code Ann., Envir. §§ 14-501 to 14-511, and § 401(a)(1) of the Clean Water Act.