By
hydroreview -
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)
in the U.S. released its five-year strategic plan (for Fiscal Year 2022 through
2026), which includes improving the siting and review process for hydroelectric
projects along with interstate gas pipelines and LNG facilities.
FERC licenses non-federal hydropower projects.
About 340 applications to relicense hydroelectric facilities are expected to be
filed between FY2021 and FY2031, which is about one-third of all active
FERC-issued licenses. In the plan, the commission said it is committed to
timely review of license applications and ensuring transparency regarding the
potential environmental impacts and required mitigation measures.
To achieve this objective, FERC plans to:
·
Conduct thorough and timely technical review of
applications to construct, operate or modify hydropower infrastructure;
·
Assess compliance with environmental mitigation
conditions in FERC orders during construction and operation of hydropower
infrastructure;
·
Conduct comprehensive and timely inspections of
hydropower facilities to ensure compliance;
·
Protect and improve the reliable and secure
operation of the bulk power system through mandatory and enforceable
reliability standards; and
·
Protect FERC-jurisdictional energy
infrastructure through collaboration and sharing best practices.
The fiscal year 2022-2026 Strategic Plan set
out six priorities:
·
Modernizing electricity market design;
·
Improving the siting and review process for
FERC-regulated energy infrastructure;
·
Safeguarding electric infrastructure from
emerging threats to reliability and security;
·
Facilitating development of the electricity
infrastructure needed for the changing resource mix;
·
Improving accessibility and participation in
FERC proceedings; and
·
Promoting a strong and robust enforcement
program.
The plan outlined how FERC will execute on each
priority, including a series of related goals and objectives. The commission
said it will report progress made toward each priority in its annual
Congressional Justification document.
Under the Federal Power Act, the commission’s
hydroelectric responsibilities include licensing, relicensing, and surrender
and decommissioning. The commission’s review under NEPA must ensure
transparency for stakeholders regarding the potential environmental impacts and
required mitigation measures for hydropower projects. In executing these
responsibilities, the commission plays a coordination role with its federal
agency partners to meet anticipated timelines for review and analysis. The
commission also maintains safety responsibility over all licensed hydroelectric
facilities.
