Utilities Seek Change to California Hydro Permit
Published Date: 6/4/2026
Notice
Summary
Pacific Gas & Electric and the City of Santa Clara want to change a water quality rule for their Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project in California. This affects local waterways and federal lands, and the public has until July 1, 2026, to share their thoughts or get involved. No big money changes are mentioned, but it’s all about keeping the water clean while the project runs smoothly.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Request to Allow Short Flow Deviations
The licensees request that Water Quality Certification condition 1 be changed so they may temporarily modify minimum instream flows at specified locations including Bucks Creek below Lower Bucks Lake and Grizzly Creek below Grizzly Forebay. The request would allow planned or non-emergency construction, modification, or maintenance deviations for short periods of up to three weeks, but only after mutual agreement among the licensees and the California State Water Resources Control Board, U.S. Forest Service, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Public Comment and Intervention Deadline
Anyone may submit comments, protests, or a motion to intervene on this application, but motions to intervene are required to become a party. Comments, motions to intervene, or protests must be filed by July 1, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time; the Commission encourages use of its eFiling system and allows brief eComments up to 6,000 characters without prior registration.
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Key Dates
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