Hydro Licensees Miss Deadline, FERC Opens Bidding for California Project
Published Date: 7/21/2025
Notice
Summary
Joe Vavuris and Ryan Wiegel, who run the Cornwell Hydroelectric Project in California, missed the deadline to say if they want to keep their license after it expires in 2030. Because of this slip-up, they can’t apply for a new license later, and the Commission is now asking anyone interested to step up and file their intentions soon. This could shake up who runs the project next and when decisions happen.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Current Licensees Barred From Reapplying
The current licensees, Joe Vavuris and Ryan Wiegel, failed to file the required notice of intent by the close of business on April 30, 2025. Because they missed that deadline, they may not file an application for a subsequent license for the Cornwell Hydroelectric Project after the current license expires on April 30, 2030.
Commission Invites New Applicants to File
The Commission set a deadline of 120 days from the date of this notice for any party other than the existing licensee to file a notice of intent (NOI), a pre-application document (PAD), and any request to use an alternative licensing process. Interested potential applicants must file those documents within that 120-day window to pursue the Cornwell Project license.
Firm Application Deadline: April 30, 2028
Any application for a subsequent license must be filed at least 24 months before the current license expires; because the license expires April 30, 2030, applications must be filed by April 30, 2028. Potential applicants must meet that filing deadline to be considered for the license.
Accelerated ILP Process Plan Within 180 Days
If an interested applicant files an NOI and PAD and elects or is required to use the Commission's Integrated Licensing Process (ILP), a process plan will be issued within 180 days of this notice to accelerate ILP steps so a subsequent license application can be filed by April 30, 2028. The accelerated plan aims to compress pre-filing steps to meet the filing deadline.
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
2026-11881 — Venture Global CP2 LNG, LLC, Venture Global CP Express, LLC; Notice of Application and Establishing Intervention Deadline
Venture Global CP2 LNG and CP Express want to expand their LNG export terminal in Louisiana and the pipeline from Texas to Louisiana. This big project will boost LNG export capacity by 11.7 million tonnes per year and add pipeline capacity for 1,900 million cubic feet daily, costing about $826 million. If you’re interested, you’ve got until the intervention deadline to speak up or get involved!
2026-11880 — Rio Grande LNG Train 6, LLC; Notice of Application and Establishing Intervention Deadline
Rio Grande LNG Train 6, LLC wants to expand its Texas LNG terminal by adding a new liquefaction train and marine jetty, boosting production by over 6 million tonnes per year and allowing more LNG ships to dock. This means more energy and business for the area, but folks have a deadline to speak up or get involved. The project is moving fast, so keep an eye on the clock and your calendars!
2026-11846 — Combined Notice of Filings
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is reviewing new and updated natural gas pipeline rate filings that could change how much customers pay starting as soon as July 1, 2026. Pipeline companies like DCP Guadalupe and Transcontinental Gas are asking for rate changes or corrections, and the public has until late June or early August to share their thoughts. These updates affect energy companies and customers who rely on natural gas, with some changes already effective or coming soon.
2026-11879 — Northern Natural Gas Company; Notice of Application and Establishing Intervention Deadline
Northern Natural Gas Company wants to build new pipelines and a compressor station in New Mexico and Texas to boost gas delivery to a power plant and improve their system’s reliability. The project will cost about $105 million, and they’re asking to include these costs in their regular rates. If you’re interested, you need to act before the deadline to get involved in the decision.
2026-11878 — California Department of Water Resources; Notice of Availability and Adoption of Final Environmental Assessment
The California Department of Water Resources has shared its final environmental assessment, which looks at how a new water project might affect the environment. This update mainly impacts local communities and water users by ensuring the project is safe and eco-friendly. The assessment is now official, so the project can move forward without delays or extra costs.
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.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-13623 — Western Area Power Administration; Notice of Filing
The Western Area Power Administration wants to change how it calculates electricity rates for the Colorado River Storage Project starting April 1, 2026. This affects customers who pay for power transmission in that area and could impact their bills. If you want to speak up or get involved, you need to act by August 11, 2025.
Next: 2025-13625 — Information Collection Requirement; Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) Part 246, Quality Assurance, and Related Clauses
The Department of Defense wants to keep collecting important quality assurance info from contractors to make sure everything meets their high standards. They’re asking for public feedback on how to make this process easier and clearer, with the current approval lasting until November 2025 and a proposed extension for three more years. If you work with DoD contracts, this means staying ready to share info but with hopes of less hassle soon!