hydro

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regulating energy

HYDROPOWER

      Photo Essay

      What is Hydropower?

What are the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's (FERC) responsibilities for regulating hydropower?

• Regulating non-federal hydroelectric power projects that affect navigable waters;
• Issuing preliminary permits to study a potential hydropower site;
• Processing hydropower license applications and projecting exemptions from licensing;
• Preparing environmental documents; and
• Ensuring dam safety.;

What FERC does not regulate

• FERC does not issue Water Quality Certificates.

Brief History of Hydropower Regulation

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

The Commission regulates hydroelectric power projects under the following statutes:

1. FPA (Federal Power Act)
2. PURPA (Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act)
3. Electric Consumers Protection Act of 1986
4. EPAct (Energy Policy Act of 1992)
5. EPAct EPAct 2005 (Energy Policy Act of 2005)

Licensing Hydropower Projects

• Licenses are issued for a term of between 30 to 50 years, and exemptions are granted in perpetuity;
• Commission costs are offset by annual charges collected from license and exemption holders;
• The Commission determines charges for a licensee's use of federal lands, federal dams, and Native American reservations; and
• Licensed projects receive comprehensive safety inspections.

Did You Know... The Commission is responsible for dam safety at over 2,600 licensed and exempted dams and related water retention structures.

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