Public Comments Sought for Maine's Barker Mill Hydro Project Extension
Published Date: 3/26/2026
Notice
Summary
KEI (Maine) Power Management wants to keep running their Barker Mill Upper Hydroelectric Project on the Little Androscoggin River in Auburn, Maine. The government is now reviewing their application and asking the public to share thoughts or concerns by May 22, 2026. This process helps make sure the project stays safe and eco-friendly while continuing to provide power.
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Multi‑decade License Term Change
The Settlement would extend the Lower Barker Project's license term to 50 years and requests a 47-year license term for the Upper Barker Project. If you live in Maine near the Little Androscoggin River, this sets the projects' operating permission for multiple decades (50 years and 47 years).
Fund for Basin Habitat Restoration
The Settlement would establish an off-license agreement to fund an Androscoggin Basin Stewardship Fund administered by the Maine Department of Marine Resources to benefit spawning and rearing habitat in the basin. If you live in Maine, this creates a dedicated stewardship fund intended to support river habitat improvements.
Coordinated Fish Passage and Flows
The Settlement provides for coordinating time frames for upstream and downstream fish passage and aligning minimum and seasonal flows at the Upper Barker and Lower Barker Projects. If you use or depend on the Little Androscoggin River in Maine, these changes affect when and how water flows and fish passage measures are implemented.
Concrete Fish‑Protection Measures
KEI Power proposes full-depth trash rack overlays with 1-inch hole openings to protect against fish and eel entrainment and proposes upstream eel passage using mussel spat rope. If you live near the project on the Little Androscoggin River in Maine, these measures are intended to reduce fish and eel mortality at the facility.
Project Power Output Disclosure
The Upper Barker Project currently operates in run-of-river mode and generates 4,681 megawatt-hours annually. If you live in the area, this is the reported annual electricity production level associated with the facility.
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Key Dates
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