; (C) provide educational, legal, and technical guidance and assistance to members of the public with respect to participating in proceedings before the Commission, including guidance on submitting comments, contentions, and hearing requests; (D) coordinate assistance available to persons participating or proposing to participate in proceedings before the Commission; and (E) coordinate assistance to the public with respect to authorities exercised by the Commission. (2) Compensation of fees Notwithstanding section 502 of the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act, 1993 ( 5 U.S.C. 504 note; Public Law 102–377 ), the Commission may, under rules promulgated by the Commission, provide compensation for reasonable attorney’s fees, expert witness fees, and other costs of participating in any proceeding before the Commission to any person whose participation substantially contributed to the approval, in whole or in part, of a position advocated by such person, if the Commission determines that— (A) the proceeding is significant; and (B) the participation of such person in such proceeding without receipt of compensation constitutes a significant financial hardship to such person. (d) Independent Office The Chairman shall take appropriate actions to ensure the independence of the Office within the Commission, including independence from other officers and employees of the Commission. (e) Annual report (1) In general Not later than one year after the date of enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Director shall submit to Congress a report on the activities of the Office. (2) Requirements Each report under paragraph (1) shall include— (A) the number and types of requests for assistance received by the Office during the preceding year