Federal Register #2026-20996

FERC Seeks Environmental Input on Maroon Creek Hydroelectric Project Relicensing and Upgrades

FERC is seeking public input on the environmental review of the City of Aspen’s proposed Maroon Creek Hydroelectric Project relicensing and upgrades. - Government buyer and project parties - The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), within the Department of Energy, is conducting the environmental review. - The City of Aspen is the project licensee and proposes the upgrades. The project is near Aspen in Pitkin County, Colorado, on land managed by the U.S. Forest Service in White River National Forest. - Holy Cross Energy operates the Aspen Highlands circuit that receives the project’s power; Colorado Parks and Wildlife is to be consulted on final design. - Proposed project scope - Add up to 50 kW of generation at the existing diversion dam using two small turbines with attached generators. - Use bypass flows without changing the timing or quantity of releases, returning water to the stream below the dam and headgate. - Existing facilities include a diversion dam, impoundment, intake, buried penstocks, a powerhouse with a 450-kW turbine-generator, tailrace, transformer, and power-line connection. - Notable environmental measures and review topics - The City proposes maintaining minimum or natural flows in the bypass reach, monitoring flows with stream gages, and maintaining the fish screen. - Proposed construction measures address dust, noise, and traffic; disturbed land would be revegetated, with final design consultation with Colorado Parks and Wildlife. - FERC is requesting comments on environmental issues and reasonable alternatives, including geology and soils, aquatic and terrestrial resources, protected species, recreation, land use and aesthetics, cultural resources, and project development. - Procurement status and vendors - This is an environmental-scoping notice, not a solicitation for bids or purchase of goods or services. No OEMs or procurement vendors are identified.

Description

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is requesting public comments on the environmental issues and scope of review for relicensing the Maroon Creek Hydroelectric Project in Pitkin County, Colorado. The City of Aspen proposes adding up to 50 kW of generating capacity using two small turbines at the existing diversion dam, while continuing specified minimum-flow, monitoring, fish-screening, and other measures. Comments should address potential environmental effects and reasonable alternatives and must be received by November 9, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time. The notice concerns a scoping process and does not itself solicit bids.

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