FERC-505, Small Hydropower Projects and Conduit Facilities including License/Relicense, Exemption, and Qualifying Conduit Facility Determination
No material or nonsubstantive change to a currently approved collection
No
Regular
Approved with change
05/12/2025
02/13/2025
In accordance with 5 CFR 1320, the non-substantive change request is approved.
table that charts list comparision
Inventory as of this Action
Requested
Previously Approved
02/28/2026
02/28/2026
02/28/2026
324
0
324
24,555
0
24,555
0
0
0
FERC-505 includes applications, notices of intent, and related information collection activities for:
⢠Small hydropower project licenses and relicenses;
⢠Exemptions; and
⢠Determinations of a qualifying conduit hydropower facility.
Small hydropower projects are minor water power projects and major water power projects that have an installed capacity of 10 MW or less. They may be licensed under Part I of the Federal Power Act, but some small hydropower projects may be eligible for an exemption.
There are two types of FERC hydropower exemptions: (1) exemptions for qualifying conduit hydropower facilities; and (2) exemptions for small projects of 10 MW or less.
A qualifying conduit hydropower facility, as defined in section 30 of the FPA, is an existing or proposed hydroelectric facility that utilizes for electric power generation the hydroelectric potential of a conduit, or any tunnel, canal, pipeline, aqueduct, flume, ditch, or similar manmade water conveyance that is not primarily used for the generation of electricity. A Notice of Intent to Construct Qualifying Conduit Hydropower Facilities under 18 CFR 4.401, which is discussed above, is required in order to seek a determination by the Commission that the proposed facility is in accordance with criteria listed at section 30 of the FPA. If the Commission issues such a determination, the facility is not required to be licensed or exempted by the Commission under Part I of the FPA.
A 10-MW exemption, as defined in section 405(d) of PURPA, is a project that utilizes for electric generation the water potential of either an existing non-federal dam or a natural water feature (e.g., natural lake, water fall, gradient of a stream, etc.) without the need for a dam or man-made impoundment.
The respondents for this information collection include citizens of the United States, corporations organized under the laws of United States or any State thereof, State governments, and municipalities.
US Code:
16 USC 791
Name of Law: Federal Power Act
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.
Justification Summary.docx
FERC-500 and FERC-505 30-day notice published 1 12 2022.pdf
FERC-505, Small Hydropower Projects and Conduit Facilities including License/Relicense, Exemption, and Qualifying Conduit Facility Determination