Friday, January 29, 2021
FERC Proposes Financial Assurance Measures for Hydropower Licensees
On January 19, 2021, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) issued a Notice of Inquiry (NOI) inviting comments on whether FERC should require financial assurance measures in hydropower licenses and other authorizations. Triggered by recent public safety events, the NOI explains that a number of hydropower projects are non-operational or out of compliance with the license and the licensees cannot afford to address environmental or safety issues to meet FERC’s standards. Based on concerns that inadequate financing may result in threats to public safety and environmental resources, FERC seeks comments on whether additional measures should be required to ensure hydropower operators have the financial resources needed to operate and maintain their projects over the license term, including under unforeseen circumstances.