A "preliminary permit" is indeed - preliminary. For example, the Order states that "this preliminary permit does not authorize the permittee to undertake any ground disturbing activity at the proposed site" (Section 7, page 2). The order also confirms that it is during this stage of development (the permit stage) that the information will be developed that will enable the agency to make a conclusion as to the whether or not the project is in the public interest (Section 12, pages 3-4). Section 14 of the Order states:
14. A preliminary permit does not authorize a permittee to undertake construction ofThe Order does not specify any particular set of studies, however, Section 18 of the Order states:
the proposed project. The purpose of a preliminary permit is to study the feasibility of
the project, including studying potential impacts. The concerns raised in the comments
are premature at the preliminary permit stage, in that they address the potential effects of
constructing and operating the proposed project. Should the permittee file a license
application, these issues will be addressed in the licensing process.
18. The Commission has not sought to place all relevant study requirements inPlease take a moment and read the Order in full. Thank you.
preliminary permits. Rather, the studies to be undertaken by a permittee are shaped by
the Commission's filing requirements for development applications. Potential
development applicants are required to consult with appropriate state and federal resource
agencies and affected Indian tribes, conduct all reasonable studies requested by the
agencies, and solicit comments on the applications before they are filed. Further,
permit conditions have been framed to ensure that the permittee does not tie up a site
without pursuing in good faith a study of the project's feasibility.
As long as public money subsidizes this project and utility companies are guaranteed a profit, AP&T bears no risk. If AP&T had to bear the risk for this project, it would be dead in the water.
ReplyDeletePublic officials are putting our fisheries and our community economic sustainability at risk by failing to sending clear messages to state funding entities and state and federal permit agencies that this project is both environmentally and economically unsound for our community.