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Barber Dam FERC Relicensing –
Joint Meeting
March 21, 2019
Barber Dam FERC Relicensing – Joint Meeting
Agenda
• Welcome and Introductions
• Overview of Project Layout and Operations
• FERC Relicensing Process and Schedule
• Overview of the Pre-Application Document (PAD)
• Comments and Information/Study Requests
Introductions
Barber Dam Project Co-Licensees
• Fulcrum, LLC
– A subsidiary of Enel Green Power North America
• Ada County, Idaho
Consultant Team
• McMillen Jacobs Associates
– FERC Process, Engineering and Studies
• Louis Berger
– Studies and Study Program Lead
Project Overview
Project Location
• Boise River, river mile 58.9, 6 miles southeast of downtown Boise
• 4 miles downstream of Lucky Peak Dam (US Army Corps of
Engineers), 2 miles downstream of Diversion Dam (US Bureau of
Reclamation)
• Project lies within the 425-acre Barber Pool Conservation Area
Diversion Dam
Lucky Peak Dam
Project Overview
Project Layout• Powerhouse
– Originally constructed 1905, refurbished 1987
– 2 horizontal Kaplan units, 1,077 cfs each
• Dam/Spillway
– 400 feet long X 25 feet high
• Embankment Dam
– 1,100 feet long X 39 feet high
• Headpond
– 75 acres
• Other Features
– Tailrace, transmission, recreation trail/portage
Project Overview
Project Operations
• Run of river operation
– Automated pond level controls the turbine-generator units
• Seasonal pond level setpoints
• Excess flows (> 2,154 cfs) pass over the spillway
• Local operator conducts daily inspections, remotely monitored 24/7
• Manually operated trash raking system to remove river debris
• Generates clean renewable energy that locally powers ~3,000 homes
FERC Relicensing Process
Role of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)
• FERC regulation of non-federal dams
– Authority derived from Federal Power Act (FPA)
– Exclusive authority to issue licenses (30-50 years)
– Monitors license compliance
– Dam safety
• Licenses define what can be built, how a project can be operated, and
determine other conditions
• Other agencies have separate authorities that are independent of
FERC but coordinated by FERC
FERC Relicensing Process
Traditional Licensing Process (TLP)• Requested the TLP with filing of the PAD on November 29, 2018; approved by
FERC February 5, 2019
• Stage 1 – Applicants present project setting to stakeholders; stakeholders identify information needs, submit comments/study requests
• Stage 2 – Completion of reasonable and necessary studies requested by stakeholders at end of Stage 1; applicants provide draft license application and study results for stakeholder review and comment
• Stage 3 – Applicant files final application with FERC and sends copies to agencies and tribes
Post-Filing: FERC conducts NEPA, consults with agencies and stakeholders, and issues new license
Relicensing – What FERC looks for
• Is the Applicants’ proposal “best suited” for the waterway according to
the standards of the Federal Power Act?
• What changes are the Licensees proposing for the next license term?
• How do proposed changes relate to project baseline and existing
environment?
Relicensing – License Application Contents
• Exhibit A – Description of the Project
• Exhibit B – Project Operation / Resource Utilization
• Exhibit C – History of the Project
• Exhibit D – Statement of Costs and Financing
• Exhibit E – Environmental Analysis
• Exhibit F – Facilities Drawings
• Exhibit G – Maps and Boundaries
• Exhibit H – Electric Consumers Protection Act (ECPA) Considerations
FERC Relicensing Process – Public Info
Information Available to the Public
• Website (https://mcmjac.com/barberdamrelicensing/)
– Pre-Application Document, notifications to FERC, relicensing schedule,
announcements
• FERC Docket for P-4881
– eLibrary at https://www.ferc.gov/
• Distribution List, maintained by licensees
• Ada County Operations Department, 200 W. Front Street, Boise, ID
• Kevin Webb: [email protected] or 978-935-6039
Heidi Wahto: [email protected] or 208-342-4214
FERC Relicensing Process – Schedule
Activity Responsibility Time Frame Deadline
File NOI, PAD, and Request to use TLP Applicants 5 to 5 ½ years before license expiration November 30, 2018
Comment on TLP Request Stakeholders Within 30 days of TLP Request submittal December 31, 2018
Issue Public Notice of NOI, PAD, and decision on
TLP Request
FERC Within 60 days of NOI, PAD, and TLP Request
submittal
February 6, 2019
Notify FERC of Joint Meeting and publish notice in
newspaper
Applicants At least 15 days in advance of Joint Meeting March 6, 2019
Joint Meeting for consultation with agencies, tribes
and interested public
Applicants Within 30-60 days of FERC’s approval of TLP
Request
March 21, 2019
Comment on PAD and submit study requests Stakeholders Within 60 days of Joint Meeting May 20, 2019
Develop Study Plans Applicants Following receipt of PAD comments and study
requests
June – August 2019*
Conduct Field Studies Applicants Following development of study plans August 2019 – October
2020*
Summarize Study Results, develop Draft License
Application (DLA), and distribute to Stakeholders
Applicants Following conclusion of studies April 2021*
Comment on Study Results and DLA Stakeholders 90-day comment period July 2021*
Develop Final License Application (FLA) and file
with FERC
Applicants No later than 2 years before current license
expires
November 30, 2021
Current license expires FERC 40 years after effective date of current license November 30, 2023
Overview of the Pre-Application Document
PAD Contents• Introduction
• Process Plan and Schedule
• Project Location, Facilities and Operation
• Description of Existing Environment and Resource Impacts– River Basin, Geology, Water Use/Quality, Fish & Aquatics, Terrestrial,
Rare/Threatened/Endangered Species, Recreation & Land Use, Aesthetics, Cultural, Socioeconomics
• Preliminary Issues and Studies List
• Appendices– Consultation to date, other requirements
Study Requests and Comments
May 20, 2019 – deadline for study requests and comments• Missing information from PAD or data gaps
• Study Requests
• Written comments/study requests – reference P-4881– Kevin Webb, Hydro Licensing Manager Copy: Heidi Wahto, Project Manager
Fulcrum, LLC McMillen Jacobs Associates100 Brickstone Square, Suite 300 1011 Western Ave, Suite 706Andover, MA 01810 Seattle, WA [email protected] [email protected]
– Optional eFile at www.ferc.gov, under Documents & Filings eFiling
• Verbal comments – today– Transcript will be produced and filed with FERC
Study Requests and Comments
FERC Study Request “Guidelines”1. Goals and Objectives
2. Relevant Resource Management Goals
3. Relevant Public Interest Considerations
4. Existing Information and Need for Additional Information
5. Project Nexus
6. Proposed Study Methodology
7. Level of Effort and Cost
https://www.ferc.gov/industries/hydropower/gen-info/guidelines/guide-study-criteria.pdf
Due on or before May 20, 2019
Questions, Study Requests and Comments?
