Putting water, wildlife, and people back in rivers
The Aesthetics Flows Guide (pdf) provides a common framework for requesting, designing, or reviewing flow-aesthetics studies, and reviews specific methods for conducting those studies in a hydropower licensing or water adjudication proceedings to protect aesthetics values of rivers.
Visit this website to learn about the effects of dams on rivers and the environment. It also explains how dams and hydropower projects can be operated differently to reduce their adverse impacts.
The Hydropower Licensing Guide first published in 2005 has been updated. The update includes addition of 2005 EPAct Hearing provisions under the Integrated Licensing Process as well as reorganization of Appendices.
American Whitewater’s Dave Steindorf will testify before a subcommittee of the US House of Representatives today on behalf of the Hydropower Reform Coalition. The hearing titled “Modernizing Energy Infrastructure: Challenges and Opportunities to Expanding Hydropower Generation” will discuss licensing reforms among others topics.
Source: California Sportfishing Protection Alliance and American Whitewater
By Chris Shutes (CSPA) and Dave Steindorf (American Whitewater)
In a surprise move, PG&E announced on February 2, 2017 that it was withdrawing its application to relicense the DeSabla – Centerville Hydroelectric Project on Butte Creek and the West Branch Feather River. The reach of Butte Creek affected by the Project is home to the only remaining viable population of spring-run Chinook salmon in California’s Central Valley.
Source: Idaho Rivers United
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission dismissed a petition today that would have overridden state ability to enforce water quality standards—a right that has been codified by the Supreme Court. The ruling was a win for IRU and other conservation groups that are seeking better water quality standards at three Idaho Power Co. dams on the Snake River in Hells Canyon.
Eighty conservation, recreation, faith-based and business groups sent a letter to the Department of Energy urging the Department to explore existing dams instead of building new ones to increase our nation’s hydropower capacity.
