Battle looms over hydroelectric dam relicensing
Environmental groups, buoyed by support from influential lawmakers, are vowing to change the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's (FERC's) hydroelectric relicensing procedures. For too long, the groups say, the hydroelectric industry has benefitted from a cozy relationship with the FERC, which has emphasized economic over environmental considerations. The success or failure of the environmentalists agenda will likely prove critical to the hydroelectric industry. With 237 hydroelectric licenses up for renewal this year - the most ever considered by the FERC in one year - and four vacant seats at the Commission, FERC hydro policy appears poised for upheaval. The groups have proposed a multipoint program to address perceived shortcomings in the FERC's hydroelectric relicensing procedures. The program includes recommendations to: Shorten dam licenses (which currently stretch 30 to 50 years) and require the FERC to periodically reevaluate the terms of hydropower licenses; Increase Congressional oversight of the FERC to assure adherence to environmental laws, including the National Environmental Policy Act, which mandates the preparation of environmental impact statements where appropriate; Mandate facilities for upstream and downstream fish passage; Establish a mitigation fund, collectable from dam owners, for river conservation and restoration programs; Promote all alternatives to relicensing projects, including denial of project licenses; and Reassign the FERC's hydropower jurisdiction to another federal agency, such as the Environmental Protection Agency or the Department of the Interior.
- OSTI ID:
- 6546095
- Journal Information:
- Public Utilities Fortnightly; (United States), Vol. 131:8; ISSN 0033-3808
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
29 ENERGY PLANNING
POLICY AND ECONOMY
HYDROELECTRIC POWER PLANTS
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
LICENSE APPLICATIONS
US FERC
LICENSING PROCEDURES
US NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY ACT
COMPLIANCE
BIOLOGICAL RECOVERY
FISH PASSAGE FACILITIES
RESOURCE CONSERVATION
RIVERS
ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES
LAWS
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
POWER PLANTS
STREAMS
SURFACE WATERS
US DOE
US ORGANIZATIONS
130400* - Hydro Energy- Legislation & Regulations
130600 - Hydro Energy- Environmental Aspects
296000 - Energy Planning & Policy- Electric Power