The original 50-year license for NYPA’s St. Lawrence-FDR project was issued in 1953 by the Federal Power Commission. Today, the duties of this commission, which include the issuing of new licenses for hydropower projects across the nation, are handled by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). Besides a new federal license, NYPA must also apply to the state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) for a Water Quality Certificate.
FERC voted Wed., Oct. 22, 2003 to issue a new 50-year license for NYPA to continue to operate the St. Lawrence-FDR project. (See Governor's press release, FERC's press release and FERC's "Order Approving Settlement Agreements, Dismissing Complaint, and Issuing New License" [in .pdf format]). The New York Power Authority trustees accepted the FERC license at their Nov. 25 meeting.
Background:
The Power Authority officially began its relicensing effort for St. Lawrence-FDR in 1996 with the introduction of a more open and inclusive approach, known as the Cooperative Consultation Process. As part of this new approach, the Power Authority solicited input from all interested parties including local municipalities, legislators, industries, labor unions, environmental groups, state and federal regulatory agencies, the St. Regis Mohawk tribe and other local residents. Members of this cooperative team met regularly, and a range of issues and concerns were identified and addressed as part of the process. The end result, which drew wide support throughout the North Country, was a license application that balanced the region’s economic and environmental considerations with NYPA’s statewide commitment to continue providing reliable supplies of clean, low-cost hydroelectricity.With NYPA’s October 31, 2001, filing of its application, most of the relicensing activity switched to FERC’s Washington, D.C., offices, where staff members followed specific procedures to review the license application. FERC sought public comments on NYPA's application through various public notices as well as the release of a draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). After FERC completed these steps and dealt with any comments it received, it issued a Final EIS and the new license.
NYPA's license application, along with additional information and correspondence, is available at the FERC website: www.ferc.fed.us/online/rims.htm; the project number is P-2000-036 (call 202-208-2222 for assistance). The application may also be viewed at libraries in Lisbon, Massena and Waddington, at the Akwesasne Cultural Center in Hogansburg and at the Public Information Library at the St. Lawrence-FDR project.
Relicensing & Compliance Highlights....
November 16, 2004 - the St. Lawrence-FDR Power Project Land Management Plan and Public and Agency Consultation Package
November 25, 2003 - New York Power Authority trustees accept FERC license.
October 23, 2003 - Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's Order Approving Settlement Agreements, Dismissing Complaint, and Issuing New License (in .pdf format)
October 22, 2003 - U.S. Grants License for Massena Hydro Project: NYPA to Continue Operating St. Lawrence-FDR for Next 50 Years (Governor's press release)
October 29 - Governor: Final Application Offers Big Boost for North Country
June 27 - Governor: New Aquarium, Great Rivers Center To be Created: Project Will Create Jobs, Attract 60,000 Tourists Annually and Expand Ecological Research (Governor's press release)
May 23 - Governor Announces Plans to Transfer Land to Local Ownership (Governor's press release)
The photo at the top of this page is the Robert Moses-Robert H. Saunders Power Dam.
| Relicensing Home | Project Overview |Relicensing Process | Visitors Center | NYPA home
Copyright© 1996 - 2009 New York Power Authority