PG&E Wants To Surrender Something, Government Suspicious
Published Date: 11/25/2025
Notice
Summary
Pacific Gas & Electric wants to give up its license for the Potter Valley Hydroelectric Project in California and use some project lands for other purposes. This affects local communities, environmental groups, and government agencies who can share their thoughts by December 1, 2025. The change could impact water use and land management, so everyone’s input matters before final decisions are made.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.
Surrender and Dam Removal Proposal
Pacific Gas & Electric filed on July 25, 2025 to surrender the Potter Valley Hydroelectric Project and proposes to decommission and remove Scott Dam and associated facilities in Lake and Mendocino counties, California. The proposal also would restore the remnant inundation zones of Lake Pillsbury and Van Arsdale Reservoir and nearby riparian, wetlands, and upland areas, which could change local water use and land management.
Proposal to Allow Continued Water Diversion (NERF)
As a condition of surrender, PG&E asks FERC to approve a non-project use so the Eel-Russian Project Authority can build a New Eel-Russian Facility (NERF) on project lands to continue diverting flows from the Eel River watershed to the Russian River watershed. That continued diversion would change how water flows are allocated between these watersheds in Lake and Mendocino counties, California.
Removal of Recreational Facilities and Land Restoration
PG&E proposes to remove licensed recreational facilities (campgrounds, day-use facilities, kiosk, and boat ramps) associated with the project and restore the affected U.S. Forest Service and PG&E lands. Removing those facilities could reduce public recreation access and affect local recreation-dependent businesses and services in Lake and Mendocino counties, California.
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
2026-12917 — Commission Information Collection Activities (Ferc-725b). Comment Request; Errata Notice
FERC is asking for public feedback on extending and updating a key info collection called FERC-725B, which helps keep our energy grid safe and reliable. These updates tweak some rules about protecting critical infrastructure, with no new costs expected. If you’re involved in energy reliability, you’ve got until July 27, 2026, to share your thoughts!
2026-12704 — Southwest Power Pool, Inc., AEP Oklahoma Transmission Company, Inc., AEP Southwestern Transmission Company, Inc., Deseret Generation & Transmission Co-operative, Inc., Empire District Electric Company, Evergy Kansas Central, Inc., Evergy Kansas South, Inc., Evergy Metro, Inc., Evergy Missouri West, Inc., GridLiance High Plains LLC, ITC Great Plains, LLC, Mountrail-Williams Electric Cooperative, NextEra Energy Transmission Southwest, LLC, NorthWestern Energy Public Service Corporation, Oklahoma Gas and Electric Company, Prairie Wind Transmission, LLC, Public Service Company of Oklahoma, Southwestern Electric Power Company, Southwestern Public Service Company, Transource Missouri, LLC, Transource Oklahoma, LLC, Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, Inc., Upper Missouri G. & T. Electric Cooperative, Inc.; Notice of Institution of Section 206 Proceeding and Refund Effective Date
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is checking if Southwest Power Pool and several electric companies are charging fair prices for using their power lines. This review started on June 24, 2026, and could lead to refunds if rates are found unfair. Anyone affected has 21 days to speak up and get involved in the process.
2026-12719 — Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company, L.L.C.; Notice of Application and Establishing Intervention Deadline
Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company wants to build new pipeline parts and a big compressor station in Texas to deliver more natural gas—up to 319,000 dekatherms daily—to meet growing demand near the Mexico border. The project will cost about $92 million and could affect local communities and businesses. If you want to get involved or share your thoughts, you need to act before the intervention deadline set by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
2026-12713 — Ampersand Kayuta Lake Hydro, LLC; Notice of Authorization for Continued Project Operation
Ampersand Kayuta Lake Hydro, LLC got the green light to keep running the Kayuta Lake Hydroelectric Project for another year, from June 1, 2026, to May 31, 2027. This means no interruptions in power or operations while the new license is being sorted out. If a new license isn’t ready by then, the current license automatically renews, keeping the energy flowing without a hitch.
2026-12708 — PJM Interconnection, L.L.C.; AEP Appalachian Transmission Company, Inc.; AEP Indiana Michigan Transmission Company, Inc.; AEP Kentucky Transmission Company, Inc.; AEP Ohio Transmission Company, Inc.; AEP West Virginia Transmission Company, Inc.; Allegheny Electric Cooperative, Inc.; American Transmission Systems, Incorporated; Appalachian Power Company; Atlantic City Electric Company; Baltimore Gas and Electric Company; Commonwealth Edison Company; Commonwealth Edison Company of Indiana, Inc.; Dayton Power and Light Company; Delmarva Power & Light Company; Duquesne Light Company; Duke Energy Kentucky, Inc.; Duke Energy Ohio, Inc.; Essential Power Rock Springs, LLC; Hudson Transmission Partners, LLC; Indiana Michigan Power Company; Jersey Central Power & Light Company; Keystone Appalachian Transmission Company; Kentucky Power Company; Kingsport Power Company; Linden VFT, LLC; Mid-Atlantic Interstate Transmission, LLC; Monongahela Power Company; Neptune Regional Transmission System, LLC; NextEra Energy Transmission MidAtlantic Indiana, Inc.; Ohio Power Company; Ohio Valley Electric Corporation; Old Dominion Electric Cooperative; PECO Energy Company; PPL Electric Utilities Corporation; The Potomac Edison Company; Potomac Electric Power Company; Public Service Electric and Gas Company; Rockland Electric Company; Silver Run Electric, LLC; Trans-Allegheny Interstate Line Company; Transource West Virginia, LLC; UGI Utilities, Inc.; Virginia Electric and Power Company; Wabash Valley Power Association, Inc.; Wheeling Power Company; Notice of Institution of Section 206 Proceeding and Refund Effective Date
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is checking if PJM Interconnection’s transmission rules are fair and reasonable. This affects many power companies across several states and could lead to changes in how transmission costs are charged. If changes happen, refunds might be given starting from June 24, 2026, so companies and customers should pay attention!
2026-12706 — Midcontinent Independent System Operator, Inc.; AEP Indiana Michigan Transmission Company, Inc.; ALLETE, Inc.; Ameren Illinois Company; Ameren Transmission Company of Illinois; American Transmission Company, LLC; Cleco Power LLC; Duke Energy Indiana, LLC; Entergy Arkansas, LLC; Entergy Louisiana, LLC; Entergy Mississippi, LLC; Entergy New Orleans, LLC; Entergy Texas, Inc.; GridLiance Heartland LLC; Indianapolis Power & Light Company; International Transmission Company; ITC Midwest LLC; Michigan Electric Transmission Company, LLC; MidAmerican Energy Company; Montana-Dakota Utilities Company; Northern Indiana Public Service Company LLC; Northern States Power Company, a Minnesota Corporation; Northern States Power Company, a Wisconsin Corporation; Northwestern Wisconsin Electric Company; Otter Tail Power Company; Pioneer Transmission, LLC; Republic Transmission, LLC; Southern Indiana Gas & Electric Company; Union Electric Company; Wabash Valley Power Association, Inc.; Wolverine Power Supply Cooperative, Inc.; Notice of Institution of Section 206 Proceeding and Refund Effective Date
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is checking if the Midcontinent Independent System Operator’s market rules are fair and reasonable. This affects many power companies across several states and could lead to changes in how they charge for electricity. If changes happen, refunds might be given starting from June 24, 2026, so keep an eye out!
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-20915 — Pacific Gas & Electric Company; Notice of Application for Non-Capacity Amendment of License Accepted for Filing, Soliciting Comments, Motions To Intervene, and Protests
Pacific Gas & Electric wants to make some changes to their Potter Valley Hydroelectric Project in California, but these changes won’t affect how much power it produces. The public, local groups, and agencies have until December 1, 2025, to share their thoughts or get involved. No big money changes are expected, but it’s a chance to speak up about the project’s future!
Next: 2025-20917 — Banister Hydro, Inc.; Notice of Scoping Period Requesting Comments on Environmental Issues for the Proposed Halifax Hydroelectric Project
Banister Hydro wants to build a new hydroelectric project on the Banister River near Halifax, Virginia, and the government is asking the public for their thoughts on how it might affect the environment. This is the first step in deciding if the project gets a license, so locals and anyone interested should speak up soon. The process could impact the community’s river and energy future, with decisions and money matters coming after public input.