NH Plans to Tear Down Squam Lake Dam: Eco Win or Energy Loss?
Published Date: 2/10/2026
Notice
Summary
The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services wants to shut down and remove the Squam Lake Dam hydroelectric project on the Squam River. The government reviewed the plan and found it won’t harm the environment in a big way. People have until March 9, 2026, to share their thoughts, and this change could affect local energy and river use.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Proposal to Decommission Local Hydropower
The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services filed to surrender the exemption and decommission the Squam Lake Dam Hydroelectric Project (Project No. 5274) on the Squam River in Grafton County, New Hampshire. The filing begins a formal process at FERC under docket P-5274 for removing the facility.
FERC Finds No Significant Environmental Effect
FERC staff prepared an Environmental Assessment (EA) for surrendering the exemption and concluded that the proposed surrender would not be a major federal action significantly affecting the quality of the human environment. The EA is available through FERC's eLibrary under docket P-5274 and public comments are due March 9, 2026 by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
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
2026-17257, Bangor-Pacific Hydro Associates; Notice of Reasonable Period of Time for Water Quality Certification Application
2026-17101, Georgia Power Company; Notice of Application for Temporary Variance Accepted for Filing, Soliciting Comments, Motions To Intervene, and Protests
Georgia Power Company asked for a temporary change to rules at their Flint River Hydroelectric Project in Georgia. This could affect water quality rules and needs approval from state agencies. People have until September 17, 2026, to share their thoughts or get involved before any decisions are made.
2026-17103, Seefeld Corporation: Notice of Application for Surrender of Exemption Accepted for Filing, Soliciting Comments, Motions To Intervene, and Protests
Seefeld Corporation wants to give up its special exemption for the Smith Creek Hydroelectric Project in Washington. This change could affect local water quality rules and needs approval from the Washington Department of Ecology. People have until September 17, 2026, to share their thoughts or get involved before the decision moves forward.
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.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-02612, Seneca Generation, LLC; Notice of Effectiveness of Withdrawal of Operating Plan and Operation Compliance and Monitoring Plan
Seneca Generation, LLC decided to pull back their plans for operating and monitoring the Kinzua Pumped Storage Project in Pennsylvania. This means no new changes or rules will happen right now, and the process officially ended on January 26, 2026. People involved can relax since no money or deadlines are changing for now.
Next: 2026-02614, Information Collection Being Submitted for Review and Approval to Office of Management and Budget
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is asking the public and other agencies to review and comment on a paperwork update aimed at making things easier, especially for small businesses with fewer than 25 employees. They want your thoughts by March 12, 2026, to help reduce the time and hassle of filling out forms. This effort could save time and money for many folks dealing with FCC paperwork.