Hawks Nest Hydro Files for License Facelift in WV
Published Date: 3/20/2026
Notice
Summary
Hawks Nest Hydro, LLC wants to make some changes to their hydroelectric project on the New River in West Virginia, but these changes won’t affect how much power they produce. The public and agencies have until April 16, 2026, to share their thoughts or get involved. This process could impact local water quality rules, but no big money changes are expected right now.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
Changes to Recreational Flow Releases
During construction outages, flows would be spilled into the bypassed reach and recreational flow releases would depend on project inflows. After construction the licensee plans to increase minimum flows in the bypassed reach, increase the number of recreational flow releases, and shorten the duration of each release.
West Virginia 401 Water Quality Requirement
The project must get a Clean Water Act section 401 water quality certification from the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection. The applicant must file either the request submitted to WV DEP, the certification, or evidence of waiver no later than 60 days after this notice.
Project Conversion to 60 Hz and Grid Sales
The licensee proposes converting generation from 25 hertz to 60 hertz so it can sell power directly to the regional electric grid. The change would replace Units 1 and 2, raise installed capacity from 102 MW to 108.5 MW, and increase maximum hydraulic capacity from 10,160 cfs to 10,380 cfs.
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