Number: RL31903
Title: Relicensing of Nonfederal Hydroelectric Projects: Background and Procedural Reform Issues
Authors: Nic Lane, Resources, Science, and Industry Division 
Abstract: After FERC completed its rule establishing the ILP, the 109th Congress passed legislation that affects the rule. P.L. 109-58, signed in August 2005, includes provisions for applicants to propose alternatives to license conditions and requires agencies to accept those alternatives as long as they meet certain environmental and economic requirements. Some have expressed concern that this legislation could reduce the effectiveness of the ILP by eroding federal resource agencies' conditioning authority. This report summarizes the current processes, describes FERC's recent development of a third licensing process, and explains changes to relicensing enacted by P.L. 109-58.
Pages: 13
Date: April 25, 2007