PG&E Requests Short-Term Water Flow Changes for California Hydro Project
Published Date: 6/4/2025
Notice
Summary
Pacific Gas and Electric Company wants to temporarily change how much water flows through its DeSabla-Centerville hydroelectric project in Butte County, California. This affects local waterways and could impact the environment, so the public and agencies have until June 27, 2025, to share their thoughts. No direct money changes are mentioned, but the decision could influence future water and power management.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Temporary Cut in Minimum River Flows
If you live in Butte County, California, the licensee requests a temporary reduction in instantaneous minimum flows: West Branch Feather River from 15 cubic feet per second (cfs) to 7 cfs (averaged over 48 hours) and Philbrook Creek from 2 cfs to a target between 1 and 2 cfs (averaged over 48 hours). The requested changes would begin once the Commission approves them and run through September 30, 2025.
Protects Spring-run Chinook Salmon
The licensee says the temporary variance is intended to preserve cold water storage and increase flow to Butte Creek during hot summer months to minimize high temperature effects to Central Valley spring-run Chinook salmon. Implementation and any changes under the variance would proceed with concurrence of California Department of Fish and Wildlife, National Marine Fisheries Service, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and would run through September 30, 2025 if approved.
Your PRIA Score
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this federal register document and every other regulation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-11782 — Combined Notice of Filings
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission got several new filings about natural gas pipeline rates and refunds from companies like NextEra Energy and ETC Tiger Pipeline. These filings could change how much customers pay starting as soon as June or July 2026. If you want to speak up or get involved, you need to act before the deadlines in mid to late June.
2026-11598 — Town of Dover-Foxcroft; Notice of Application for Surrender of Exemption Accepted for Filing, Soliciting Comments, Motions To Intervene, and Protests
The Town of Dover-Foxcroft wants to give up its special permission to run the Moosehead Hydroelectric Project on the Piscataquis River in Maine. This means the town will stop operating the project under its current exemption, and the public has until July 6, 2026, to share their thoughts or objections. This change could affect local energy and environmental rules, but no federal land is involved, and money impacts aren’t mentioned yet.
2026-11606 — Boott Hydropower, LLC; Notice of Application Accepted for Filing, Soliciting Motions To Intervene and Protests, Ready for Environmental Analysis, and Soliciting Comments, Recommendations, Preliminary Terms and Conditions, and Preliminary Fishway Prescriptions
Boott Hydropower wants to keep running its Lowell Hydroelectric Project on the Merrimack River, and the government is now reviewing their application. Local communities, environmental groups, and anyone interested can share their thoughts or raise concerns by August 4, 2026. This process helps make sure the project stays safe, eco-friendly, and benefits everyone without surprise costs or delays.
2026-11628 — Aberdeen Hydro AE, LLC; Notice of Preliminary Permit Application Accepted for Filing and Soliciting Comments, Motions To Intervene, and Competing Applications
Aberdeen Hydro AE, LLC wants to study building a new hydropower project at the Aberdeen Lock and Dam in Mississippi. If approved, they get first dibs to apply for a license to generate clean energy, but no construction can start yet. People have until August 3, 2026, to share their thoughts or compete for the project, which could produce enough electricity to power thousands of homes.
2026-11538 — Algonquin Gas Transmission, LLC; Notice of Scoping Period Requesting Comments on Environmental Issues for the Planned Algonquin Reliable Affordable Resilient Enhancement Project, and Notice of Public Scoping Sessions
Algonquin Gas Transmission wants to build new gas facilities in parts of Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island. The government is asking people to share their thoughts on how this project might affect the environment before making a final decision. You’ve got until July 6, 2026, to speak up and help shape the project that could impact local communities and energy costs.
2026-11539 — Building for the Future Through Electric Regional Transmission Planning and Cost Allocation; Notice of Motion for Extension of Time To Comply
PJM Transmission Owners and state groups asked for more time—until August 11, 2026—to agree on how to plan and pay for big electric projects across 13 states and D.C. They want to use extra time and mediation to find a fair way to share costs before filing their official plans. This delay affects utilities and customers by pushing back decisions on who pays for future electric upgrades.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-10098 — City of Nashua; Notice of Revised Procedural Schedule for Environmental Assessment for the Proposed Project Relicense
The City of Nashua is working on renewing the license for its Mine Falls Hydroelectric Project, but the environmental review is taking a bit longer than planned. The new schedule pushes the final environmental report to August 29, 2025, giving staff more time to carefully check all the details. This delay affects the project timeline but helps make sure everything’s safe and sound for the community and environment.
Next: 2025-10100 — Rivers Electric, LLC; Notice of Effectiveness of Withdrawal of Application for Amendment of License
Rivers Electric, LLC decided to stop their request to change the license for their Mill Pond Hydroelectric Project in New York. This means no changes will happen, and the process officially ended on April 15, 2025. No one opposed this, so everything wrapped up smoothly with no extra costs or delays.