Water Pipes Powering Homes? FERC's Tiny Green Energy Nod in California
Published Date: 5/15/2025
Notice
Summary
The Goleta Water District wants to build a small hydropower project near Santa Barbara that uses water pipes to generate clean energy without messing with the water supply. This 37-kilowatt project could produce enough electricity to power some homes and save money on energy bills. The government is asking for public comments and invites people to get involved before making a final decision.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Project Qualifies as Conduit Hydropower
FERC staff preliminarily determined the La Riata Hydroelectric Energy Recovery Project meets the section 30 qualifying conduit criteria. The project would install a 37-kilowatt generating unit with an estimated annual generation of about 89 megawatt-hours and is not required to be licensed under Part I of the Federal Power Act.
Public Comment and Intervention Deadline
Anyone may file comments or a motion to intervene on this project. The deadline to file comments, comments contesting qualification, or motions to intervene is June 9, 2025; FERC accepts filings via its eFiling system, brief eComments up to 6,000 characters without registration, or paper submissions as described in the notice.
Municipal Water Service Unchanged
FERC preliminarily found the project will not alter the conduit’s primary purpose of municipal water distribution. The project is intended to use only the hydroelectric potential of the conduit and not to change municipal water service.
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Key Dates
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