Process

Great River Hydro is using the Integrated Licensing Process (ILP) for the relicensing of the three projects located on the Connecticut River: the Wilder, Bellows Falls, and Vernon Hydroelectric Projects.

The ILP is intended to streamline the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) licensing process by providing a predictable, efficient, and timely licensing process that continues to ensure adequate resource protections.

The process includes a process plan and schedule for each project, guidelines and options for effective participation, communication protocols, and access to the documents generated in the process.

Integrated Licensing Process (ILP)

Overview of ILP Pre-filing Steps

• Applicant Files Pre-application Document (PAD) with Notice of Intent to File License Application
• PAD brings together all existing, relevant, and reasonably available information about the project and its effects on resources; and
• PAD also includes a well-defined process plan that sets the schedule for developing the license application and a list of preliminary studies and issues.

FERC Conducts Scoping

• The purposes of scoping is to identify and refine issues, discuss existing information, explore information gaps, and finalize the process plan; and
• Stakeholders discuss the issues and provide study requests.

Applicant Files Proposed Study Plan

• Applicant holds a meeting(s) to discuss the proposed study plan and informally resolve study disagreements;
• Applicant files revised study plan;
• Director of the Office of Energy Projects approves the revised study plan with any modifications after considering all information in the record;
• Agencies with mandatory conditioning authority may request the use of a formal dispute resolution process;
• Applicant conducts the studies as approved;
• Applicant files preliminary licensing proposal with the Commission, agencies, and public for comment;
• Applicant files final license application with the Commission and provides copies to agencies, Native American tribes, and the public; and
• After the application is filed, the Commission has defined time frames to prepare and issue its environmental analysis pursuant to National Environmental Policy Act.