PG&E Requests Flow Variance for California Hydro Creek
Published Date: 12/23/2025
Notice
Summary
Pacific Gas & Electric wants to temporarily change how much water flows into Helms Creek from their hydroelectric project in Fresno County, California. This could affect local water use and the environment, so the public and agencies have until January 16, 2026, to share their thoughts or get involved. No big money changes are mentioned, but it’s a key chance to speak up about water and power in the area!
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Temporary cut to Helms Creek flows
Pacific Gas & Electric has requested a temporary variance to reduce minimum releases from Courtright Dam from 4 cubic feet per second (cfs) to 2.5 cfs from September 1 through November 30, 2026, measured as a 24-hour average at gage KI-17. PG&E also plans to draw Courtright Reservoir down to elevation 8,000 feet with an impoundment of 2,283 acre-feet from September 1 through December 31, 2026, to complete repairs on the dam, its low-level outlet bypass valve, and the KI-17 weir. The notice says this change could affect local water use and the environment in Fresno County, California.
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
2026-16633, Columbia Gulf Transmission, LLC; Notice of Availability of the Environmental Assessment for the Proposed Maysville Project
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.
2026-16525, 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: 2025-23641, Request for Information: Accelerating the Adoption and Use of Artificial Intelligence as Part of Clinical Care
The Department of Health and Human Services wants your ideas on how to speed up using artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare to help doctors and patients. This affects healthcare providers, tech developers, and patients who could see smarter, faster care soon. Share your thoughts by February 23, 2026, to help shape future rules and funding for AI in clinics.
Next: 2025-23643, Authorizations for Certain Post-Licensing Activities at Hydroelectric Projects Notice Granting Extension of Time
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is giving the hydropower industry extra time to share their thoughts on important questions about hydroelectric projects. Instead of the original January 26, 2026 deadline, comments are now due by February 10, 2026. This extension helps everyone provide better feedback without rushing, especially since the original deadline was during the busy holiday season.