Seattle Hydro Project Gets One-Year Lifeline While License Looms
Published Date: 5/12/2025
Notice
Summary
The City of Seattle gets the green light to keep running the Skagit River Hydroelectric Project from May 1, 2025, to April 30, 2026, while waiting for a new license. This means no interruptions in power or operations, and if a new license isn’t ready by then, the current license automatically renews. It’s smooth sailing for Seattle’s energy project with no extra costs or delays expected.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Annual License Authorized for Seattle
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission issued an annual license to the City of Seattle for the Skagit River Hydroelectric Project No. 553, effective May 1, 2025 through April 30, 2026. This lets the City continue operating the project under the terms and conditions of the prior license during that period.
Continue Operation Under Prior License If Not Subject
If the Skagit River Project is not subject to section 15 of the Federal Power Act, the City of Seattle is authorized to continue operation of the project under the terms and conditions of the prior license until a subsequent license is issued or other disposition occurs. The continued operation continues under the prior license terms until the Commission acts.
Automatic Renewal if No New License
If a new license or other disposition is not issued on or before April 30, 2026, the annual license is automatically renewed under 18 CFR 16.18(c) without further order or notice by the Commission. The automatic renewal continues year-to-year until a new license is issued or the project is otherwise disposed of under the Federal Power Act.
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