Mark Robinson, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888
1st Street NE, Room 62-18, Washington, DC 20426; Voice 202-219-2750;
FAX 202-219-2152; E-Mail mark.robinson@ferc.fed.us
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (the Commission) has the
responsibility to regulate all non-federal hydroelectric projects in the United States.
The Federal Power Act (FPA) requires licensees of non-federal hydropower projects to
obtain a license or exemption from FERC if the project effects lands or waters subject to
federal authority. Licenses are issued for terms from 30 to 50 years. Licenses must be
best adapted to a comprehensive plan for improving or developing the waterway for
beneficial public purposes. Because many of the waterways throughout the United States
have already been developed or modified in some way, most licensing activity currently
before the Commission involves the relicensing of existing projects constructed or
operated under licenses issued many decades ago. The Commission's intent in relicensing
these existing hydropower projects is to equitably consider the many competing power and
non-power (environmental) interests through the relicensing process. Balancing of
competing uses in the relicensing process poses real challenges during this time of
deregulation in the electric power industry. The FPA gives statutory authority to state
and federal resource agencies in setting mandatory terms and conditions for any license
issued.
