Licensing
The Commission's major hydropower activity is relicensing existing projects whose licenses are about to expire. Staff prepares either an Environmental Assessments (EA) or an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and bases recommended license conditions on these reviews.
- Marine and Hydrokinetic Projects
- Small/Low-Impact Hydropower Projects
- Pumped Storage Projects
- Guidance on Environmental Measures in License Applications
- Pending Licenses, Relicenses, and Exemptions. Updated 11/16/2020
- Expected Relicense Projects FY 2019 – FY 2033. Updated 09/25/2019
- Licenses and Exemptions Issued in Less than 2 Years. Updated 11/16/2020
- Projects Delayed by Water Quality Certifications and Endangered Species Act Consultation. Updated 11/16/2020
Permits
- Preliminary Permits
- Status of Requests for Preliminary Permit Term Extensions. Updated 11/16/2020
- Active Preliminary Permits. Updated 11/16/2020
- Pending Preliminary Permits. Updated 11/16/2020
Licenses
- Applications for Original Licenses
- Applications for New Licenses and Relicensing
- Complete list of Active Licenses. Updated 11/16/2020
Exemptions
- Exemptions from Licensing
- Active Exemptions. Updated 11/16/2020
Licensing Processes
- Integrated, Traditional, and Alternative Licensing Processes
- Matrix Comparing Three Licensing Processes
- Integrated Licensing Processes
- Projects Currently in Pre-filing ILP. Updated 11/16/2020
Alternative Licensing Process Flowcharts
Traditional Licensing Process Flowcharts
Guidelines
Integrated Licensing Process
- A Guide to Understanding and Applying the Integrated Licensing Process Study Criteria
- Ideas for Implementing and Participating in the Integrated Licensing Process (ILP)
- Understanding the Study Criteria: ILP
Checklists
- Adequacy Review Checklist for Preliminary Permit Applications
- Adequacy Review Checklists for Notice of Intent
- Adequacy Review Checklist for Pre Application Documents
- Adequacy Review Checklists for Hydropower License Applications (ILP)
- Adequacy Review Checklists for Hydropower License Applications (Traditional Licensing Process)
- Adequacy Review Checklist for 5 MW Exemption Applications
- Checklist for Application for Exemption of Small Conduit Hydroelectric
General Guidance
- Guidance for Applicants Seeking Licenses or Preliminary Permits for Closed- Loop Pumped Storage Projects at Abandoned Mine Sites
- Evaluating Geologic and Soils Issues at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
- Managing Hydropower Project Exhibits - Drawings Guide |Summary of August 2014 Updates
- Preparing Environmental Documents
- Development of Historic Properties Management Plans
- Hydropower Licensing and Endangered Species
- Handbook for Using Third-Party Contractors to Prepare Environmental Documents
- Integrated Licensing Process (ILP) - Workshops and Conferences
Contents of an application
- Part 5–Integrated License Application Process
- Traditional and Alternative Licensing Processes
Comprehensive Plans
Section 10(a)(2)(A) of the Federal Power Act (FPA), requires the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission) to consider the extent to which a project is consistent with Federal or state comprehensive plans for improving, developing, or conserving a waterway or waterways affected by the project.
On April 27, 1988, the Commission issued Order No. 481-A, revising Order No. 481, issued October 26, 1987, establishing that the Commission will accord FPA section 10(a)(2)(A) comprehensive plan status to any Federal or state plan that:
- Is a comprehensive study of one or more of the beneficial uses of a waterway or waterways;
- Specifies the standards, the data, and the methodology used; and
- Is filed with the Secretary of the Commission.
A comprehensive plan should contain the following:
- A description of the waterway or waterways that are the subject of the plan, including pertinent maps detailing the geographic area of the plan;
- A description of the significant resources of the waterway or waterways;
- A description of the various existing and planned uses for these resources; and
- A discussion of goals, objectives, and recommendations for improving, developing, or conserving the waterway or waterways in relation to these resources.
The description of the significant resources in the area should contain, among other things:
- Navigation;
- Power development;
- Energy conservation;
- Fish and wildlife;
- Recreational opportunities;
- Irrigation;
- Flood control;
- Water supply; and
- Other aspects of environmental quality.
The plan should contain an examination of how the different uses will promote the overall public interest.
List of Comprehensive Plans
Project Information
The following descriptive information is available for licenses, exemptions, and preliminary permits issued by the Commission:
- Project Number and Name;
- Licensee/Exemptee/Permitee;
- Authorized Capacity in Kilowatts;
- State(s);
- River/Stream;
- Issuance Date; and
- Expiration Date.
For further information you should contact the Public Reference Room during the hours of 8:30 to 5:00 Monday through Friday at 202-502-8371 or toll-free at 1-866-208-3676. Your requests can also be e-mailed to public.referenceroom@ferc.gov.
Quick Links
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- Guidance on Environmental Measures in License Applications
- Pending Licenses, Relicenses and Exemptions
- Expected Relicense Projects FY 2019 – FY 2033
- Licenses and Exemptions Issued in Less than 2 Years
- Projects Delayed by Water Quality Certifications and Endangered Species Act Consultation
- Status of Requests for Preliminary Permit Term Extensions
- Pending Preliminary Permits
- Applications for New Licenses and Relicensing
- Complete list of Active Licenses
- Exemptions from Licensing
- Active Exemptions
- Projects Currently in Pre-filing ILP