Relicensing

The Traditional Relicensing Process

Relicensing of the Devil Canyon Project (Project) will follow the Traditional Licensing Process (TLP) as designated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). The first stage of this process includes the filing of a Notice of Intent (NOI) and a Pre-Application Document (PAD). The information in the PAD allows FERC and relicensing participants to identify data gaps and help form study requests to acquire information which will be needed in developing the new license.

Filings throughout the process will be made available to the public on this project relicensing website. The schedule of relicensing meetings will also be included on this website. Certain information may be restricted from publication on the relicensing website in accordance with FERC’s regulations protecting Critical Energy Infrastructure Information (CEII) or in cases where the document contains sensitive information (e.g. cultural resource sites, sensitive species locations, etc.). The Department of Water Resources (DWR) will address requests for access to this information on a case-by-case basis, in accordance with applicable law, as needed during the relicensing process.

Traditional Licensing Process Steps

• DWR files Pre-Application Document (PAD) and Notice of Intent (NOI) to relicense the Project (August 1, 2016). The PAD contains:
  • Synopsis of the known information relevant to relicensing
  • Detailed description of the Project
  • Explanation of the relicensing process and the schedule to be followed
  • Suggested needed studies and investigations
• FERC issues the Notice of Commencement of Proceeding and the decision regarding DWR's request to use the TLP
• DWR holds a joint meeting and site visit
  • Discuss data and studies to be provided by DWR as part of the consultation process
  • Relicensing Participants discuss issues that should be addressed in the license application
• Relicensing Participants
  • Provide to DWR written comments identifying relicensing participants' recommendations of necessary studies to be performed or information to be provided by DWR in the license application (January 30, 2017) (Any recommended studies or information requests must have a Project nexus and be necessary to obtain information essential for relicensing)
• Studies are conducted (between January 31, 2017 and January 31, 2020)
• DWR provides relicensing participants with copy of the Draft License Application (DLA; September 3, 2019)
• Relicensing Participants provide written comments on DLA (December 2, 2019)
• DWR files the Final License Application (FLA; January 31, 2020)
• FERC complies with National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements, conducts environmental review, and issues final environmental assessment
• FERC issues new license with new terms and conditions