On July 1, 2020, FERC’s new rules for physical filings became effective.  The rules require that all physical filings and submissions delivered to FERC other than those sent via the U.S. Postal Service (“USPS”), be sent to an off-site security screening facility (see September 17, 2019 edition of the WER).

Under the new rules, hardcopy submissions (other than those sent via USPS) must be sent to FERC’s off-site facility at 12225 Wilkins Avenue, Rockville, Maryland 20852.  The off-site facility will sort and screen the submissions before delivering them to FERC.  Filings and submissions sent through USPS can continue to be sent to the Commission’s headquarters at 888 First Street NE, Washington, D.C. 20426, because USPS has existing security process that comply with DHS-recommended best practices.  Filings and submissions sent directly to FERC’s headquarters—other than those sent via USPS—will be rejected and will not be considered received until they have been re-submitted in accordance with the new rule.  The rule does not alter the process for submitting electronic filings.

FERC originally scheduled the rule to go into effect on November 4, 2019, but postponed the effective date of the rule in October 2019 (see November 19, 2019 edition of the WER).

FERC’s notice regarding the effective date of the new rules is available here.