Defunct Dam Doomed: Hydro License Surrendered for River Revival
Published Date: 4/17/2026
Notice
Summary
Brooks Energy is giving up its special license for the Lockville Dam hydroelectric project because it’s no longer making money. The dam stopped working in 2020 and was breached in 2023, and now it’s set to be removed to help restore the local river environment. This change affects communities in Chatham and Lee counties, North Carolina, with environmental reviews done and public comments open until May 14, 2026.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Lockville Dam removal and river restoration
Brooks Energy is surrendering the Lockville Dam exemption and the dam is proposed to be removed by American Rivers and Resource Environmental Solutions as part of a watershed restoration effort. The generating equipment has not operated since 2020 and the dam was breached in 2023; the restoration work is funded and collaboratively supported by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and affects communities on the Deep River at the Chatham–Lee county border in North Carolina.
Public comment period deadline
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has an Environmental Assessment available for the Lockville Dam project and is accepting public comments until May 14, 2026, 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time. You may file comments electronically via FERC's eFiling or eComment systems or submit paper copies to the postal or carrier addresses given in the notice; the EA may be accessed using docket number P-6276 on FERC's eLibrary.
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