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.
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: 2025-08290, 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 in prices or services soon. The public can share their thoughts before any decisions are made, so keep an eye out for updates!
Next: 2025-08292, KC Brighton, LLC; Notice of Availability of Environmental Assessment
KC Brighton, LLC wants to shut down and clean up their hydroelectric project on the Patuxent River in Maryland. The government checked the plan and says it won’t harm the environment much. People have until June 11, 2025, to share their thoughts before the final decision.