Sec. 12603. Office of Public Participation

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Section 319 of the Federal Power Act ( 16 U.S.C. 825q–1 ) is amended— in subsection (a)(1), by inserting , to facilitate communication with the public relating to, and participation by the public in, matters under the jurisdiction of the Commission, including under this Act and the Natural Gas Act before the period at the end; in subsection (b), by striking paragraph

(4)and inserting the following: The Office shall promote, through outreach, publications, and, as appropriate, direct communication with entities regulated by the Commission— improved compliance with rules and orders of the Commission; and public participation in matters before the Commission. The Director may assign staff to intervene, appear, and participate in administrative, regulatory, or judicial proceedings on behalf of individuals or entities intervening or participating, or proposing to intervene or participate, in proceedings before the Commission by representing the interests of such individuals or entities on any matter before the Commission. The Office shall advocate for, and act as a liaison with, environmental justice communities on matters under the jurisdiction of the Commission. ; and by adding at the end the following: Funding for the Office shall be derived from fees and charges collected under section 3401 of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1986. In this section: The term community of color means any geographically distinct area the population of color of which is higher than the average population of color of the State in which the community is located. The term environmental justice community means a community with significant representation of communities of color, low-income communities, or indigenous communities, that experiences, or is at risk of experiencing, higher or more adverse human health or environmental effects. The term indigenous community means— a federally recognized Indian Tribe; a State-recognized Indian Tribe; an Alaska Native or Native Hawaiian community or organization; and any other community of indigenous people. The term low-income community means any census block group in which 30 percent or more of the population are individuals with low income. The term population of color means a population of individuals who identify as— Black; African American; Asian; Pacific Islander; another non-White race; Hispanic; Latino; or linguistically isolated. .

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16 USC 825q–1

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Sec. 12603

Office of Public Participation

Cite16 USC 825q–1

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