Hydropower - Licensing
Exemptions from Licensing
In certain cases, projects may qualify for an exemption from licensing.
Those receiving an exemption are exempt from the requirements
of
Part I of the Federal Power Act. However, the exempted project
is subject to mandatory terms and conditions set by federal
and state
fish and wildlife agencies and by the Commission, and do not convey
the right of eminent domain. Getting an exemption can be a more
simplified process than applying for a license. Exemptions are
issued in perpetuity.
» Issued Exemptions  updated 12/5/2008
The Commission issues two types of exemptions:
- Small hydropower projects, which are 5 megawatts or less, that
will be built at an existing dam, or projects that utilize a natural
water feature for head or an existing project that has a capacity
of 5 megawatts or less and proposes to increase capacity.
(Note: Following links are to external sites and you will be leaving FERC's website).
- Definition [section
4.30(29)]
- Who may file [section
4.31(c)]
- Applicability [section
4.101]
- General provisions for case-specific exemption [section
4.103]
- Standard terms and conditions of case-specific exemption
from licensing [section
4.106]
- Contents of application from licensing [section
4.107]
Conduit exemption that would be issued for constructing
a hydropower project on an existing conduit (for example
irrigation canal).
-
Conduit exemptions are authorized for generating capacities 15
megawatts or less for non-municipal and 40 megawatts or less for
a municipal project. The conduit has to have been constructed
primarily for purposes other than power production and be located
entirely on non-federal lands.
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Contact Information
Conduit Exemptions
Robert Bell
Telephone: 202-502-6062
Email: robert.bell@ferc.gov
Small Hydropower Project
(5 megawatts or less)
Edward Abrams
Telephone: 202-502-8773
Email: edward.abrams@ferc.gov
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