FERC has released the final environmental assessment for an application to continue operation of Ames Hydroelectric Project, just north of Telluride, Colorado.

The PG&E report changes the equation regarding Canadian hydroelectric power being sold to US markets, as IPP’s (independent power producers) have long argued that the power produced from local resources would remain in BC. It also affects US Consumers in two ways: 1. in our need to be involved and educated about BC river issues, and 2. Potential future changes to California’s existing Renewable Portfolio Standard, and to new National Portfolio Standards which may be established after the upcoming election.

There have been increasing concerns in Utah about the adequacy of studies to be done for the proposed Lake Powell pipeline project which will also include hydropower projects.

Amidst a huge opposition to the proposed pumped storage project in the Bear Lake in Utah, FERC is holding a public meeting this Wednesday, April 9 in Fish Haven and Montpelier, Idaho.

FERC issued a preliminary permit for a proposed 220MW pumped storage project on on Brush Hollow Creek of the Arkansas River in Colorado.

FERC issued a preliminary permit for a proposed 60MW pumped storage project on Fish Hook Creek in Utah.

The Bear River project, a series of four dams, was consolidated under a single license in 2003 after a comprehensive settlement involving a broad group of stakeholders, including members American Whitewater, Trout Unlimited, and Idaho Rivers United. Now in license and settlement implementation, a stakeholder consensus was reached to remove one of the older developments, Cove Dam.

Coalition chair American Rivers today celebrated the return of natural flows to Fossil Creek, a stream in central Arizona. Through relicensing, Arizona Public Service chose to decommission its Childs and Irving hydroelectric plants in favor of restoring the desert river to its natural flow and rhythms.

Welcome back, Fossil Creek.

A proposed hydropower project on the Gunnison River in Colorado languished for 25 years before finally being laid to rest in December. The Uncompahgre Valley Water Users Association had proposed to construct a facility that could have diverted over 1,000 cfs from flowing through the famous Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park year-round.

Trout Unlimited challenged the Association's expiring water rights, leading the Association to back down from their proposal on December 27, 2004. The Association also failed to receive a FERC license after unsuccessful bids in the mid-1980s.

Following a plan designed by the Environmental Protection Agency, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) today issued an order relinquishing its control over Milltown Dam, P-2543.

The order dismisses the pending license application and gives notice that FERC intends to accept project surrender. FERC also ordered actions in accordance with EPA's plan to remove Milltown Dam, such as permanent reservoir drawdown, and clarified that EPA is now in charge of regulating and ultimately removing the dam.