FERC is responsible for licensing
nonfederal hydropower projects if they are on lands or waters
subject to Congressional authority. Part I of the Federal Power
Act(FPA) gives FERC the authority to issue licenses for
hydroelectric projects on these waters. FERC issues licenses for
terms up to 50 years for projects "best adapted to a comprehensive
plan" for improving a waterway for beneficial public purposes.
Benefits include power generation, irrigation, flood control,
navigation, fish and wildlife, municipal water supply, and
recreation. Preliminary permits, issued for three years, reserve
rights to study the feasibility of hydropower development at a
specific site, but do not authorize construction of any hydropower
facilities. The application for preliminary permit process is
pursuant to FERC's defined role, as mandated under Sections 4(f), 5
and 7 of the Federal Power Act. The purpose of obtaining a
preliminary permit as noted above, is to maintain a priority status
for an application for a license, while the applicant conducts site
examinations and surveys to prepare maps, plans, specifications and
estimates. This period of time also provides the applicant with the
opportunity to conduct engineering, economic and environmental
feasibility studies; plus make the financial arrangements for
funding the construction of the site. The conditions under which
the priority will be maintained are set forth in each permit.
During the term of the permit, no other application for a
preliminary permit or application for license submitted by another
party can be accepted.
There is an adjustment in the
burden from the Commission's last submission to OMB. Because of the
high cost of traditional fossil fuels, many potential participants
are looking to renewables to provide alternative energy sources. In
addition and as noted in item no. 1 above, the Commission has seen
a significant increase in preliminary permit applications because
of the interest in hydrokinetic energy. It should also be noted
that a DOE study identified more than 30 million kilowatts of
untapped hydroelectric capacity that could be constructed with
minimal environmental effects at existing dams that presently have
no hydroelectric generating facilities, at existing hydroelectric
projects with unused potential, and even at a number of sites
without dams. Follow-up studies have assessed the economic issues
associated with this untapped hydroelectric resource. In addition,
studies to estimate the hydroelectric potential of undeveloped,
small capacity, dispersed sites that could supply electricity to
adjacent areas without connecting to a regional electric
transmission distribution system are proceeding and provoked a
renewed interest. Preliminary results from these efforts have
improved the visibility of hydroelectric power and provided
indications that the hydroelectric power industry will be vibrant
and important to the country throughout the next century.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that
the collection of information encompassed by this request complies
with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR
1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding
the proposed collection of information, that the certification
covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a
benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control
number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of
these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked
and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.
FERC Order Hydrokinetic Prelim. Permit.pdf
F512just.2008.doc
Application for Preliminary Permits,