Federal Register #2026-20882

FERC environmental review of two Maine hydroelectric projects

FERC is seeking public input for its environmental review of proposed new licenses for two existing Maine hydroelectric projects. - Government buyer and reviewing agency: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), within the U.S. Department of Energy. - Applicant and named company: Great Lakes Hydro America, LLC (GLHA) is seeking the licenses; Brookfield Renewable N.A. is identified as GLHA’s parent company. - Projects under review: The 67.9-MW Penobscot Mills Hydroelectric Project and the 37.5-MW Ripogenus Hydroelectric Project, in Piscataquis and Penobscot counties, Maine. - Procurement status: This is an environmental review and request for public comments, not a solicitation for products or services. No quantities, product part numbers, or service line items are specified. - Notable review topics: Continued project operations and maintenance; operational flows and drawdowns; fish passage and habitat; erosion and sedimentation; invasive species; whitewater boating; recreation access; and potential effects on water, wildlife, protected species, cultural resources, land use, and local communities. - Project features and proposed measures: The projects include dams and other water-retaining structures, conduits and penstocks, powerhouses, transmission facilities, fish-passage features, storage facilities, and battery energy storage sites. The review will consider proposed operational, habitat, fish-passage, flow, and resource-management measures.

Description

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission will prepare a draft and final environmental impact statement evaluating the potential environmental impacts of continued operation and maintenance of the proposed Penobscot Mills and Ripogenus Hydroelectric Projects in Maine. Great Lakes Hydro America, LLC has applied for new major licenses for the existing 67.9-megawatt Penobscot Mills Project and 37.5-megawatt Ripogenus Project. The notice requests comments on the scope of issues for the EIS, including potential alternatives, impacts, and relevant information or studies; comments must be received by November 6, 2026. The notice states that the final EIS is scheduled for March 31, 2028.

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