The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s Integrated Licensing Process (ILP) is the newest licensing process for hydroelectric projects and is being implemented around the US today. The first license application filed under the ILP was submitted in December, 2006 by PPL Montana for the Mystic Lake Hydroelectric Project. The identification, evaluation and management of archaeological and historical (cultural) resources is an essential element of all hydroelectric licensing studies today. This paper details how the management of these non-renewable resources was made a part of the ILP on the Mystic Lake Project.

Introduction:

FERC’s Integrated Licensing Process (ILP) is applicable to both relicensing existing hydroelectric projects and developing new projects. FERC’s ILP was developed during a period when there were few applications being filed for new projects. Although applications for relicensings may likely continue to outnumber applications for new projects, the complexity and number of new projects being pursued into licensing has increased significantly in the past two years. New projects today include conventional small and medium-sized hydroelectric projects. Many are multiple use water and energy projects, which can be bundled with pumped storage and transmission. There are also growing numbers of new hydroelectric based technologies such as tidal and wave energy projects that require licensing and often multiple agency approvals.

Hydro project owners share experiences and lessons learned from using the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s integrated licensing process, the ILP.