What is the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, or FERC?
The FERC is the independent federal licensing authority for hydroelectric projects nationwide and consists of five appointed commissioners. The FERC was created as a result of the 1920 Water Power Act. That same Act limits the term of a license to 50 years and allows for reconsideration at the expiration of the license, on the issue of whether the renewal license best serves the public interest. Alcoa’s Yadkin license expires in 2008. Federal law also allows FERC to extend the license annually, so that FERC has time to make a proper decision. In that case, Alcoa (APGI) continues to hold the license, but only for a year at a time.
Related Questions
- What is the Pre-Application Document (PAD) or Stage One Document, and does the Federal Energy Regulatory Commissions (FERC) acceptance of the document authorize the construction of the project?
- How will FERC (Federal Energy Regulatory Commission) licenses and project boundaries affect future management of the lands?
- What are the Federal Energy Regulatory Commissions (FERC) responsibilities for regulating hydropower?
