A recent study by the HRC has revealed lack of transparency in green-pricing programs offered by utilities around the country.

The City of Orrville, OH, has surrendered its license for the Pike Island hydropower project before FERC.

The last day of 2009 saw seven hydropower projects filing their application for certification with the Low Impact Hydropower Institute. In 2009 alone, the Institute issued certifications for nine projects throughout the country. So far, there are 46 LIHI certified projects in 24 states.

The Snohomish County PUD No. 1 in Washington has further advanced in its intent to build and operate a tidal energy project in the Admirarty Inlet. Earlier this week, the PUD filed its draft license application with FERC.

The Senate, last Thursday, confirmed John Norris to be the newest member of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

Norris is currently serving as chief of staff for Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack. He served as the chairman of the Iowa Utilities Board from 2005 to 2009.

Yesterday, FERC issued a new 30-year license to American Electric Power (AEP), a subsidiary of Appalachian Power Company, for continued operation of the 636 MW Smith Mountain Project.

A panel formed to investigate the study related disputes in the relicensing of Merced River projects has found that FERC erred in limiting the geographic area which needed to be studied for impacts from the project.

This week FERC released its Environmental Assessment (EA) for a proposed hydroelectric project on the Flint Creek near Philipsburg, Montana.

The Low Impact Hydropower Institute (LIHI) has certified three more projects that meet their low-impact certification criteria. The three projects are Winooski in Vermont, Farmers Irrigation District in Oregon; and the Robertson and Ashuelot in New Hampshire.

FERC issued a certification order yesterday confirming increased generation in the Piney hydroelectric project through efficiency improvement. The project is located on the Clarion River in Clarion County, Pennsylvania.