The Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council voted to adopt amendments to Policy 16‑01 on Nov. 19, delegating certain preconstruction and preoperational plan approvals to the FSEC director while adding transparency requirements.

Lisa McClain, legislative and policy manager, said the amended language requires staff to post any plans approved by the director on the agency website and to notify site subscribers or the general subscriber list when plans are posted. The change also clarifies that the council may elevate an approval from the director to the full council by motion and majority vote.

Staff published the proposed changes for public comment Nov. 3–16 and received three comments that, according to McClain, primarily expressed concern that the revision could have the effect of bypassing opportunities for public and tribal input. Councilor Pamplin moved to approve the draft amendments, the motion was seconded, briefly discussed, and adopted by voice vote.

Next steps: staff will post approved director-level plans to the FSEC website and send notifications to subscribers; the council will monitor implementation and consider further adjustments as needed.