ISSUE: Hydropower Relicensing
GOAL: River restoration, whitewater opportunities and river access
Current Status: In California over the next 15 years, 50 hydropower projects encompassing 167 dams are due for relicensing under the Federal Power Act (FPA). In the southeastern U.S., 32 hydropower projects are up for relicensing. All private hydropower dams are licensed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for periods of 30 to 50 years. Licensees must reapply to FERC for a new license at the time of expiration, a process referred to as relicensing. FERC decides, via input from state and federal agencies and the public, the terms and conditions for a new license. Because most of these projects receive operating licenses for 30 to 50 years the current relicensing cycle presents a singular opportunity to enhance and restore many California and southeastern rivers. Most of the current projects up for relicensing are out of compliance with existing state and federal environmental protection laws. American Whitewater is actively engaged in hydropower relicensings impacting whitewater rivers. Our goals are river restoration, protection of whitewater opportunities and access.
Precedent: Both California and the southeast are renowned the world over for whitewater. Many more miles of Class II, III, IV and V whitewater can be added to these regions through the relicensing process.