Ohio River Hydro Project Draws Public Scoping Comments
Published Date: 9/30/2025
Notice
Summary
Ohio Power and Light wants to build a new hydroelectric project at the Robert C. Byrd Locks and Dam on the Ohio River. This affects local communities and the environment, and the public can share their thoughts by October 20, 2025. The project could bring clean energy but also involves using federal land and following important rules.
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 4 mixed.
New 28.5 MW Hydropower Output
The project would install a total of 28.5 megawatts of generating capacity (three horizontal pit Kaplan turbine‑generator units in each powerhouse) and is projected to generate about 165,169 megawatt‑hours of electricity annually, operating in run‑of‑release mode. FERC accepted the application but will prepare a NEPA document to evaluate effects.
New 2.5‑Mile Transmission and Facilities
The proposal includes a 2.5‑mile, 69‑kilovolt overhead transmission line to the Apple Grove substation, new substations with a 12.47‑kV/69‑kV step‑up transformer, two powerhouses, intake and tailrace channels, and a proposed 170‑foot access road. These construction elements will be evaluated in the NEPA process.
NEPA Fee May Set Review Deadline
The project sponsor intends to pay a fee under Section 112 of the National Environmental Policy Act, which establishes a deadline for NEPA review; FERC is awaiting notice from the Council on Environmental Quality that the fee has been paid, and expects to issue the Notice of Ready for Environmental Analysis in October 2025. The fee may affect the NEPA review timeline.
Public Scoping Comment Deadline
You can submit written scoping comments on the project's environmental review by 5:00 p.m. Eastern on October 20, 2025. Use FERC's eFiling or eComment systems, or mail filings to the addresses listed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
Use of 16 Acres of Federal Land
The proposed project would occupy about 16 acres of federal land managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at the Robert C. Byrd Locks and Dam in Mason County, West Virginia. The Commission will consider site-specific and cumulative effects of this use during NEPA review.
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: 2025-18990, Receipt of Documented Petition for Federal Acknowledgment as an American Indian Tribe
The Salyersville Indian Community has officially asked the government to recognize them as a Federal American Indian Tribe. This means the Department of the Interior is now inviting everyone to share their thoughts or proof about this request. If approved, the community could gain new rights and benefits, but for now, it’s all about gathering info and opinions.
Next: 2025-18993, Gulf South Pipeline Company, LLC, Texas Gas Transmission, LLC; Notice of Application and Establishing Intervention Deadline
Gulf South Pipeline and Texas Gas Transmission want to build new pipelines and compressor stations in Mississippi to boost natural gas flow by over 1 billion cubic feet daily. This $1.1 billion project will help big energy companies get more gas, while swapping some pipeline parts between the two companies. If you’re interested, you’ve got until a set deadline to speak up or get involved!