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As of 2011, conventional hydroelectric plants provide 78,600 megawatts of generating capacity. Pumped storage projects provide an additional 22,000 megawatts of capacity.

Ownership of this hydroelectric generating capacity is divided as follows:

The Commission's Office of Energy Projects is responsible for administering the hydropower program. All licensing matters and environmental compliance activities are managed from Washington DC. Dam safety and public safety inspections are also coordinated from Washington DC.

Falling water in streams and rivers has been harnessed to produce electric energy for more than 100 years. Hydroelectric projects provide the most efficient means of producing electric energy (at about 90 percent efficiency).

Hydroelectric power regulation was the first work undertaken by the Federal Power Commission, the Commission's predecessor, after Congress passed the Federal Water Power Act of 1920.

Guidelines to Consider For Participating in The Alternative Licensing Process (ALP)

These guidelines supplement the Commission's ALP regulations and are designed to assist stakeholders in identifying resource management goals early in the process, establish clear ground rules for partic

The Integrated Licensing Process is intended to streamline the Commission's licensing process by providing a predictable, efficient, and timely licensing process that continues to ensure adequate resource protections.

Under the Hydropower Regulatory Efficiency Act of 2013, as amended by America’s Water Infrastructure Act of 2018, the Commission is required to determine whether proposed projects meet the criteria to be considered “qualifying conduit hydropower facilities.” Qualifying conduit hydropower faciliti

Integrated, Traditional and Alternative Licensing Processes

(Note: Some of the links are to external sites and you will be leaving FERC's website)

The America's Water Infrastructure Act of 2018 (Water Infrastructure Act) amends Section 5 of the Federal Power Act to give the Commission the authority to issue preliminary permits with maximum terms of 4 years.  The Water Infrastructure Act also authorizes the Commi