FPISC FY 2023 BUDGET REQUEST
FPISC Content
Manisha Patel Joins the Permitting Council as Deputy Executive Director
Manisha Patel has been named the Deputy Executive Director for the Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council. She is a seasoned executive with deep experience in infrastructure, environmental regulations, and protecting our natural resources and producing positive outcomes for our communities. Ms. Patel brings over 25 years of experience in both public and private sectors.
Federal Government Approves Construction for New York’s First Offshore Wind Farm
The U.S. Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management approved the construction and operations plan for the South Fork Wind project, marking the first offshore wind energy project to complete the Federal environmental review and authorization process, known as FAST-41. The Ørsted and Eversource project, the first offshore wind farm slated to deliver electricity to New York, is scheduled to begin operations at the end of 2023.
Permitting Council Names Georgette A. Furukawa Director of Public Engagement
Georgette A. Furukawa has been named the Director of Public Engagement for the Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council (Permitting Council), effective January 18. As a former strategic consultant, development director, and external affairs advisor at the U.S. Department of Energy, Furukawa brings more than 15 years of public, private, and civil society experience to the role. She will work at the local, state, and national levels to ensure community leaders, diverse perspectives, and new voices all have the opportunity to inform the work of the Permitting Council Executive Director.
Federal Government Maps Out Environmental Data for Infrastructure Projects
The Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council (Permitting Council) released its geospatial (GIS) environmental data inventory, the initial step in developing a government-wide geospatial solution to improve the environmental review and authorization process for infrastructure projects. The GIS inventory, developed in partnership with the Office of Management and Budget, the Council on Environmental Quality, and the U.S. Department of Transportation, provides public access to environmental data that can affect infrastructure projects.