Hydropower Project License Up for Public Scrutiny on Rivers
Published Date: 5/27/2025
Notice
Summary
Boott Hydropower wants a new license to keep running the Lowell Hydroelectric Project on the Merrimack River in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. The public can now share their thoughts, protests, or support by July 21, 2025, with replies due by September 2. This is a big deal for local communities and the environment, as it shapes how clean energy flows and how the river is cared for.
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
River flow and operations requirements
Boott proposes to continue operating the Lowell Project in run-of-river mode and to release 500 cubic feet per second (cfs) into the bypassed reach during the upstream migratory fish passage season (as defined annually) and 100 cfs, or inflow, whichever is less, for the rest of the year. The proposal also would maintain water surface elevations of 86.7 feet NGVD29 in the upper canal system and 71.8 feet NGVD29 in the lower canal system, and specifies minimum and maximum hydraulic capacities of 500 cfs and 8,600 cfs.
Fish passage and eel protection upgrades
Boott proposes to replace the existing E.L. Field fish elevator with a short fish ladder within three years of license issuance, conduct a 1-year shakedown period, and evaluate its effectiveness. Other proposals include modifying the Pawtucket Dam fish ladder, modifying the bypassed reach to enhance upstream passage, installing a fish exclusion facility with a 0.75-inch clear-spaced trashrack overlay, developing an interim nighttime shutdown plan to protect eels from turbine entrainment, and conducting an upstream American eel passage assessment study.
Decommissioning four canal powerhouses
Boott proposes to decommission the Assets, Hamilton, John Street, and Bridge Street powerhouses and to develop a decommissioning plan as part of the new license.
Changes to recreation and historic site boundaries
The applicant proposes to develop an historic properties management plan and consult with the Massachusetts State Historic Preservation Office and the National Park Service to mitigate effects on the Locks and Canals Historic District and the Lowell National Historical Park prior to construction. Boott also proposes a recreation access and facilities management plan and to modify the project boundary by removing a 7.4-mile section from the upstream extent of the impoundment, removing all except the first 2,200-foot-long section of the Northern Canal between Pawtucket Dam and the Pawtucket Gatehouse, and removing all except the first 1,600-foot-long section of the Pawtucket Canal between the impoundment and the Guard Lock and Gates Facility.
Public comment and intervention deadline
You can file motions to intervene, protests, comments, recommendations, or preliminary terms and conditions for the Lowell Hydroelectric Project by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on July 21, 2025, and reply comments by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on September 2, 2025. The Commission encourages electronic filing via eFiling or eComment and the Office of Public Participation can help landowners, community organizations, and others with filings.
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
2026-17318, Commission Information Collection Activities (FERC-725S); Comment Request
FERC is updating its emergency reporting rules to better track sudden power losses from new tech like Inverter Based Resources. This means some power companies will have new reporting duties starting soon, helping keep the electric grid safe and reliable. Comments on these changes are due by October 26, 2026, so affected companies should get ready to share their thoughts!
2026-17257, Bangor-Pacific Hydro Associates; Notice of Reasonable Period of Time for Water Quality Certification Application
2026-17101, Georgia Power Company; Notice of Application for Temporary Variance Accepted for Filing, Soliciting Comments, Motions To Intervene, and Protests
Georgia Power Company asked for a temporary change to rules at their Flint River Hydroelectric Project in Georgia. This could affect water quality rules and needs approval from state agencies. People have until September 17, 2026, to share their thoughts or get involved before any decisions are made.
2026-17103, Seefeld Corporation: Notice of Application for Surrender of Exemption Accepted for Filing, Soliciting Comments, Motions To Intervene, and Protests
Seefeld Corporation wants to give up its special exemption for the Smith Creek Hydroelectric Project in Washington. This change could affect local water quality rules and needs approval from the Washington Department of Ecology. People have until September 17, 2026, to share their thoughts or get involved before the decision moves forward.
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
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-09433, Applications for New Awards; Personnel Development To Improve Services and Results for Children With Disabilities-Personnel Preparation of Special Education, Early Intervention, and Related Services Personnel at Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities, and Other Minority Serving Institutions
The Department of Education is offering new grants in 2025 to help train special education and early intervention staff at Historically Black Colleges, Tribally Controlled Colleges, and other Minority Serving Institutions. This means more skilled professionals will be ready to support children with disabilities. Schools and colleges that qualify can apply soon to get funding and make a real difference!
Next: 2025-09436, Meeting the Challenge of Resource Adequacy in Regional Transmission Organization and Independent System Operator Regions; Second Supplemental Notice of Commissioner-Led Technical Conference
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is hosting a two-day technical conference on June 4-5, 2025, to tackle big challenges in making sure power grids have enough energy resources. This event affects energy regions like PJM, MISO, ISO-NE, NYISO, CAISO, and SPP, focusing on how they manage capacity markets and resource adequacy. The discussions could lead to changes that impact how electricity is planned and paid for, helping keep the lights on and prices fair.