LA's Water Power Project Under Eco-Scrutiny
Published Date: 5/6/2025
Notice
Summary
The California Department of Water Resources and Los Angeles Department of Water and Power are planning to keep running the South State Water Project Hydroelectric Project in Los Angeles County. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is preparing a big environmental report to check how this project affects the environment and wants your thoughts! This review will help decide if the project can continue smoothly, with updates coming over the next year or so.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
South SWP Keeps Supplying Power and Water
The South State Water Project (South SWP) would continue to operate to provide hydroelectric power, flood control, and water for domestic and irrigation uses in California. The project has an installed capacity of 1,350 megawatts (MW), generates an average of 824,803 megawatt-hours annually, and occupies 2,807.28 acres; the Commission anticipates issuing a license order by July 16, 2026.
EIS Will Analyze Environmental and Safety Risks
FERC will prepare draft and final environmental impact statements that will analyze possible effects such as erosion and sedimentation, timing and magnitude of flows affecting water quality and aquatic habitat, toxic algal blooms, spread of non-native invasive species, impacts on threatened and endangered species and riparian habitat, recreation and aesthetics effects, potential project-related wildfire public-safety risks, and effects on cultural resources. The draft EIS is planned for August 2025 with a 45-day comment period and a final EIS available March 31, 2026.
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