FERC

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC”) recently ruled that California does not need to provide water quality certification for the Middle Fork American Hydroelectric Project (Middle Fork Project) in Placer and El Dorado counties, operated by Placer County Water Agency (PCWA).  This order effectively waives California’s authority to ensure water quality and environmental protections for hydropower operations.  Conservationists decried the loss of protection for local rivers and claim the precedent will limit the authority of states to implement and enforce the Clean Water Act nati

The US Senate has confirmed the nomination of Colette Honorable of Arkansas to be a Commissioner at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

Ms. Honorable was endorsed by the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee on December 11.

Honorable has served on the Arkansas Public Service Commission for seven years, including as chairwoman for four years. She is also a past president of National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners.

On July 15, the US Senate confirmed two members of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Current Commissioner Cheryl LaFleur, who has served as acting chair since November 2013, was confirmed by a 90-7 vote. Norman Bay, who is currently the head of the Office of Enforcement was confirmed by a narrower 52-45 vote. He was nominated by the President to serve as the Chair.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) will hold a workshop on October 2, 2013 to explore the possibility of a two-year licensing process for hydropower development at non-powered dams and closed-loop pumped storage projects.