Intro To Licensing

Welcome to our hydropower licensing primer. This site is intended to introduce newcomers to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) licensing process for both proposed projects and existing projects that are due for license renewal.

Developed as a joint effort between the National Park Service, River Management Society, Hydropower Reform Coalition, and with input from subject matter experts, our goal is to help you become proficient in the hydropower licensing process.

A license is required to operate most non-federal hydropower projects and non-federal projects attached to a federal dam. These licenses are issued by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and have a lifespan of 30 to 50 years, at which point the project is either relicensed or possibly surrendered.

Hydropower, or hydroelectric power, is one of the oldest and largest sources of renewable energy, which uses the natural flow of moving water to generate electricity. As of 2023, hydropower accounts for 31% of total U.S. renewable electricity generation and about 6% of total U.S. electricity generation.

Rivers are a public resource that can provide benefits to society as long as the necessary ecosystem processes are protected. Engaging in the licensing of a project gives you the opportunity to effect changes that could last into the next generation.

Hydropower licensing can often be a complicated and lengthy process. The benefits of participating in such a process include the opportunity to effect changes that can often last 30 – 50 years into the future. While hydropower licensing can appear to be a daunting challenge, here are a few tips for engaging in your first relicensing. The River Management Society’s Hydropower Video Playlist is another external resource that can be helpful for more visual/auditory learners.

As a hydropower practitioner, your actions can create long-term impacts on rivers and their surrounding communities. You should develop several core competencies to participate as a genuine representative of your organization and an effective contributor to the license or settlement terms.