Updated August 5, 2021
If you have a major hydroelectric project that has an authorized capacity of more than 5 megawatts (MW) and up to and including 10 MW undergoing the relicensing process soon, you may benefit from some changes made by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or Commission).
On February 18, 2021, the Commission issued a notice of proposed rulemaking which in part revised filing requirements for major hydroelectric projects with authorized capacities of 10 MW or less. The notice was published in the Federal Register on March 9 and approved on July 15, 2021.
The rule change (Docket No. RM20-21-000) reduces the burden on filing an application for a new license for major hydroelectric projects with authorized capacities greater than 5 MW, and up to and including 10 MW. Specifically, those major hydroelectric projects would no longer need to file Exhibits B, C, and D with their applications for a new license. Hydroelectric projects with authorized capacities of less than 5 MW were already not required to file Exhibits B, C, and D with their applications for a new license.
