Hydropower Licensing - Proposed Revisions

Division of Hydropower Licensing

Within the Office of Energy Projects, the Division of Hydropower Licensing (DHL) is responsible for reviewing applications for non-federal hydropower projects and providing recommendations to the Commission regarding action on the applications (i.e., approval, approval with modifications, or denial) and final measures (e.g., specific administrative, engineering, and environmental requirements) for any authorization.   In making recommendations to the Commission, DHL balances the benefits of generating electricity with the environmental effects of operating a hydropower facility.   Staff in DHL advise applicants in selecting the appropriate licensing process, determine whether applications comply with FERC regulations and are adequate for processing once filed, and then process the applications.  Staff prepares either an Environmental Assessment (EA) or an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and bases recommended license conditions on these reviews.

Licensing Processes - Integrated, Traditional, and Alternative

Effective July 23, 2005, the Integrated Licensing Process (ILP) is the default process for filing an application for an original, new, or subsequent license (18 CFR Part 5). Commission approval is needed to use either the Traditional or the Alternative Licensing Process.

Branches within DHL

The Division of Hydropower Licensing is organized into seven branches that are defined by geographic area.   

Licenses, Permits, and Exemptions

The Division processes applications for original licenses (new projects), relicenses (existing projects), small hydropower project exemptions (exemptions), and pilot licenses (marine and hydrokinetic projects).

Authorization Types

• Preliminary Permits
• Exemptions
• Original Licenses
• New Licenses and Relicensing

Project Types 

[each sub-page could include a diagram/example pictures of the project types]

• Conventional Projects
• Small/Low-Impact Hydropower Projects 
• Pumped Storage Projects
• Marine and Hydrokinetic Projects

Tools

Checklists [Could this be a Quick Link to a new "Checklists" page instead?]

• Adequacy Review Checklist for Preliminary Permit Applications
• Adequacy Review Checklists for Notice of Intent
• Adequacy Review Checklist for Pre-Application Documents
• Adequacy Review Checklists for Hydropower License Applications (Integrated Licensing Process)
• Adequacy Review Checklists for Hydropower License Applications (Traditional Licensing Process) 
• Adequacy Review Checklist for 5 MW Exemption Applications
• Checklist for Application for Exemption of Small Conduit Hydroelectric

General Guidance [Would these links be better on different pages in context of their uses, like maybe the "Licensing Processes" page or in the Quick Links section of the Licensing Processes page?]

• Guidance for Applicants Seeking Licenses or Preliminary Permits for Closed- Loop Pumped Storage Projects at Abandoned Mine Sites
• Evaluating Geologic and Soils Issues at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
• Managing Hydropower Project Exhibits - Drawings Guide |Summary of August 2014 Updates 
• Preparing Environmental Documents 
• Development of Historic Properties Management Plans
• Hydropower Licensing and Endangered Species
• Handbook for Using Third-Party Contractors to Prepare Environmental Documents
•  Integrated Licensing Process (ILP) - Workshops and Conferences  [Suggest moving to ILP page]
• Guidance on Environmental Measures in License Applications
• Comprehensive Plans

Project Information

The following descriptive information is available for licenses, exemptions, and preliminary permits issued by the Commission:

1. Project Number and Name;
2. Licensee/Exemptee/Permitee;
3. Authorized Capacity in Kilowatts;
4. State(s);
5. River/Stream;
6. Issuance Date; and
7. Expiration Date.

For further information you should contact the Public Reference Room during the hours of 8:30 to 5:00 Monday through Friday at 202-502-8371 or toll-free at 1-866-208-3676. Your requests can also be e-mailed to [email protected].