Maine Hydro Dam to Power Down for Costlier Green Shift
Published Date: 1/22/2025
Notice
Summary
Kennebunk Light and Power District wants to shut down its Lower Mousam Hydroelectric Project in Maine because cheaper electricity options are available. They plan to remove all power equipment and secure the site but keep the dams in place. The government will prepare an environmental report by April 30, 2025, and ask for public feedback before making a final decision.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Environmental Assessment with 30‑day Comment
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission staff will issue an Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Lower Mousam Hydroelectric Project by April 30, 2025. When issued, the EA will be released for a 30-day public comment period, and all comments filed on the EA will be reviewed and considered in the Commission’s final decision.
Planned Decommissioning, Dams Left In Place
The licensee proposes to surrender the Lower Mousam Hydroelectric Project and decommission it by removing all flashboards, disconnecting generator leads, and removing all generation and electrical equipment while securing each project development with fencing; the dams would remain in place and no ground‑disturbing activities are proposed other than fencing.
Public Assistance Offered for Participation
The Commission’s Office of Public Participation (OPP) can help members of the public — including landowners, environmental justice communities, and Tribal members — access project information and navigate filings like interventions and comments; OPP contact information is provided in the notice.
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-16925, Commission Information Collection Activities (FERC-725U); Comment Request; Extension
In compliance with the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission or FERC) is soliciting public comment on the currently approved information collection FERC-725U (1902-0274), Mandatory Reliability Standards for the Bulk Power System; CIP Reliability Standards. There are no proposed changes to the reporting requirements. The comment period ended on July 27, 2026, with no comments received.
2026-16739, Venture Global CP2 LNG, LLC, Venture Global CP Express, LLC; Notice of Scoping Period Requesting Comments on Environmental Issues for the Proposed CP2 LNG Expansion Project, and Notice of Public Scoping Sessions
2026-16616, Regulatory Agenda
We are publishing our regulatory agenda (the Agenda) in accordance with Public Law 96-354, "The Regulatory Flexibility Act," and Executive Order 12866, "Regulatory Planning and Review." FERC's complete Agenda, available on OMB's website at https://www.reginfo.gov, is a compilation of all rulemaking activities on which we have recently completed action or have proposed or are considering action. Our last Agenda was provided in May 2025 and in this current agenda, we have listed 42 rulemaking activities. We also note that the Agency has one inactive rulemaking that is not listed in this Agenda. This issuance of our Agenda contains ten (10) Pre-Rules, eleven (11) Notice of Proposed Rules, eight (8) Final Rules, and thirteen (13) Completed activities. Four (4) rulemakings are Section 3(f)(1) Significant; two (2) are Other Significant; one (1) is a routine rulemaking activity; two (2) are administrative, and thirty-two (32) are Substantive, Nonsignificant rulemaking activities.
2026-16637, Combined Notice of Filings
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission got new filings from several natural gas pipeline companies about rate changes and rule updates. These changes could affect pipeline rates starting as soon as July 9, 2026, and some compliance updates kick in January 1, 2027. If you want to speak up or get involved, you need to comment by late August 2026.
2026-16633, Columbia Gulf Transmission, LLC; Notice of Availability of the Environmental Assessment for the Proposed Maysville Project
2026-16525, Combined Notice of Filings
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission got new filings from natural gas pipeline companies about their rates and refunds. These filings could change how much customers pay starting as soon as September 1, 2026. If you want to speak up or get involved, you need to act by mid to late August.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-01500, New Postal Products
The Postal Service just filed a new deal for special mail services, and the Commission is checking it out. This affects businesses and customers who use these special mail options, with possible changes coming soon. The public can share their thoughts before any final decisions are made.
Next: 2025-01502, Alabama Power Company; Notice of Application for Non-Project Use of Project Land and Waters Accepted for Filing, Soliciting Comments, Motions To Intervene, and Protests
Alabama Power Company wants to build new docks on land and water near Martin Dam in Alabama. This change could affect local communities and the environment, and the public has until February 14, 2025, to share their thoughts or get involved. No big money changes are mentioned, but this is a chance to speak up about how the project impacts the area.