Code of Federal Regulations Title 18 - Conservation of Power and Water Resources
Title 18 โ Conservation of Power and Water Resources
of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) governs federal regulations related to the conservation, development, and management of energy and water resources in the United States. It includes rules set by key federal agencies responsible for overseeing hydroelectric power, interstate natural gas pipelines, electricity transmission, and water resource management.
๐น Key Agencies Covered in Title 18
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)
Most of Title 18 is dedicated to FERC regulations.
Regulates:
Interstate transmission of electricity, natural gas, and oil.
Hydropower project licensing and safety.
Electric reliability standards.
Market-based rate authorizations.
Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)
Some sections address TVA's management and distribution of power in the Tennessee Valley region.
Other Federal Agencies involved in energy conservation, such as:
Department of Energy (DOE)
Water management compacts (e.g., Delaware River Basin Commission)
๐น Major Parts of Title 18
While the structure may change slightly with updates, hereโs a general breakdown:
| Chapter | Agency | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Chapter I | Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) | Comprehensive rules for electric utilities, natural gas companies, oil pipelines, hydropower, and market oversight |
| Chapter II | Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) | Regulation of electric rates and power sales |
| Chapter III-V | River basin commissions and related authorities | Environmental and water resource cooperation among states |
๐น Common Topics in Title 18
Part 4 โ Hydropower Project Licensing
Part 35 โ Filing of Electric Tariff Schedules
Part 157 โ Natural Gas Pipelines (construction & operation)
Part 284 โ Open access transportation of natural gas
Part 292 โ Regulations under the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act (PURPA)
Part 375 โ Organization of the Commission
๐น Why It Matters
Ensures reliability and fairness in power generation and distribution.
Protects consumers and the environment through regulatory oversight.
Enables development of renewable energy projects under clear legal frameworks.

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