Code of Federal Regulations Title 18 - Conservation of Power and Water Resources

05 Jul 2025 --
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Title 18 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) is dedicated to "Conservation of Power and Water Resources." It contains the comprehensive set of rules and regulations issued by various federal agencies regarding the development, use, and conservation of these vital resources in the United States.

This title is particularly important for industries involved in energy production (especially hydroelectric power), natural gas, interstate pipelines, and water resource management.

Here's a breakdown of the key federal entities and the types of regulations you'll find within Title 18:

Chapter I: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Department of Energy (Parts 1-399) This is the largest and most significant chapter within Title 18. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is an independent agency that regulates the interstate transmission of electricity, natural gas, and oil. Its regulations cover a vast range of topics, including:

Hydropower Licensing: Regulations for the licensing, permitting, and compliance of hydroelectric projects. This includes environmental review, dam safety, and operational requirements.

Electric Power Regulation: Rules concerning the interstate transmission of electric energy, including open access transmission, market-based rates, reliability standards, and interconnection of facilities. This also covers the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (PURPA).

Natural Gas Regulation: Regulations for the interstate transportation of natural gas by pipeline, including pipeline certificates, rates, and service obligations under the Natural Gas Act.

Oil Pipeline Regulation: Rules governing the transportation of oil by pipeline in interstate commerce.

Procedural Rules: General rules of practice and procedure for filing applications, complaints, interventions, and conducting hearings before FERC.

Uniform System of Accounts: Accounting requirements for various regulated entities (e.g., electric utilities, natural gas companies).

Market Oversight: Rules designed to prevent market manipulation and ensure transparent and competitive energy markets.

Chapter III: Delaware River Basin Commission (Parts 400-499) This chapter contains regulations from the Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC), an interstate agency (composed of the governors of Delaware, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers) responsible for managing the water resources of the Delaware River Basin. Their regulations typically cover:

Water withdrawals and diversions.

Wastewater discharges.

Water quality standards.

Flood control.

Chapter VI: Water Resources Council (Parts 700-799) The Water Resources Council was established to coordinate federal water resource planning. While its role has evolved over time, this chapter would contain historical and potentially some remaining regulations related to:

Principles and standards for planning water and related land resources.

Environmental impact assessments for water resource projects.

Chapter VIII: Susquehanna River Basin Commission (Parts 800-899) Similar to the DRBC, the Susquehanna River Basin Commission (SRBC) is an interstate agency (Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, and the U.S. federal government) managing the water resources of the Susquehanna River Basin. Their regulations cover:

Water withdrawals and consumptive uses.

Wastewater discharges.

Flood mitigation.

Water quality.

Chapter XIII: Tennessee Valley Authority (Parts 1300-1399) The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) is a federal corporation that provides electricity, economic development, and natural resource management for the Tennessee River Valley region. Their regulations might include:

Rules related to their power system (e.g., power sales, transmission).

Environmental regulations specific to their operations.

Land use and recreation policies on TVA lands and reservoirs.

Overall Importance of Title 18:

Title 18 CFR plays a critical role in:

Ensuring the reliable and efficient supply of energy to the nation.

Managing crucial water resources for drinking, agriculture, industry, and environmental protection.

Promoting competition in energy markets.

Balancing economic development with environmental stewardship in power and water resource projects.

Providing a regulatory framework for complex interstate issues related to shared water basins.

You can access the full text of the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 18, through several online sources:

Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR): www.ecfr.gov (This is a continuously updated online version).