Willson, M. (2023, September 20). Hydropower delays pose grid threat as permits lapse. Eenews.net. Retrieved January 26, 2024, from https://www.eenews.net/articles/hydropower-delays-pose-grid-threat-as-permits-lapse/
This article discusses the expiration of licenses and permits for dams in the United States, with focus on the Oroville Damn in California. Many dams, including the Oroville Dam has been wating over a decade for their permits By 2027 around 160 dams will have expired permits, known as licenses, and this is not including the ones that already have expired licenses right now. They must receive a new permit from the FERC. The small town of Oroville, located in the sierra mountains, downstream of the damn, has been waiting for a new license for 17 years. This is bringing up worry about clean energy for this area. Hydropower contributed about 6% of the countries clean energy last year.
This article shines light on the worries of the people, especially in the are of Oroville. It shows the concern for the future of hydroelectric power. With all of the permits that are going to expire, the FERC is going to have lots of work on their hands. Damns all across the country are going to need new permits to operate. With hydroelectric power making 6% of our total clean energy, we will take a hit from this. And with other issues arising from climate change in general, we are in trouble.
It seems like dams are super controversial, a great source of clean energy, but also very harmful to the ecosystems around and in the rivers. I had no idea that permits were required to continue the operation of a hydropower dam, it seems pretty negligible to allow so many permits to run out when they are so beneficial for our overall clean energy use. Do you know why these permits are lapsing? Is it a backup that’s causing the re-permitting to be delayed, or do they not want to give them another permit?
Given hydropower’s major contribution to the country’s renewable energy mix, it raises legitimate concerns about the possible effects on the production of clean energy and grid stability. One may wonder how to strike a balance between operational effectiveness and regulatory diligence, even as the author emphasizes how urgent it is for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to expedite the relicensing process. : What steps should FERC take to ensure that the comprehensive environmental and safety assessments are carried out without unduly delaying the relicensing of hydropower projects?
It is interesting that hydroelectric power makes up 6% of our total clean energy. Did the article say anything about how long it takes for a license to be renewed? And how will the dams function if their licenses are expired?