Facing an increased number of preliminary permits for conventional small hydro, FERC staff has proposed several initiatives to help small hydro developers – frequently, mom-and-pop operations – navigate and understand the FERC process. Staff’s presentation to FERC Commissioners at the April 15 meeting is available here.
Some of the resources to be developed include a roadmap that explains the FERC process, fill in the blank license and exemption application templates and tips on expediting the license process. Staff will also work to update Memoranda of Understanding with other agencies and develop and outreach program to assist small hydro.
To be fair, FERC staff has been extremely helpful and hands-on to marine renewables developers. However, much of the assistance has been on a case by case basis, rather than through a uniform program such as that proposed for small hydro. Perhaps as FERC develops its resources for small hydro developers, it might think to extend some of these resources to marine and hydrokinetic developers as well.
My name is Carolyn Elefant, owner of the Law Offices of Carolyn Elefant in Washington D.C. and I do FERC Fights. Whether a matter requires an appeal of a FERC ruling in federal circuit court, a request for rehearing, a vigorous defense in an enforcement action, the pursuit of a refund or general protection of interests in a FERC proceeding, I act as a tenacious, thorough and persistent advocate for my clients.
For more information, contact me at carolynelefant@fercfights.com or loce@his.com