FERC Extends Hydropower Payment Forms—Nothing New Here
Published Date: 9/18/2026
Notice
Summary
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is extending its paperwork rules for collecting info about payments linked to headwater improvements—basically, benefits from water projects—without changing any reporting steps. This affects companies involved in hydropower and keeps things steady with no new costs or deadlines, but they want your comments by October 19, 2026. It’s a smooth continuation to keep the system running without extra hassle!
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Annual Reporting Burden and Cost
FERC estimates the annual reporting burden for FERC-521 is 3 total responses (3 respondents), 40 hours per response, 120 total hours per year. The Commission estimates a cost of $4,080 per respondent and $12,240 total annually based on $102/hour.
Paperwork Rule Extended, No Changes
FERC is extending the FERC-521 paperwork rule for three years with no changes to what you must report. Comments are requested by October 19, 2026, but there are no new reporting steps, costs, or deadlines from this extension.
Section 10(f) Filing and Reimbursement Rule Applies
Under Section 10(f) of the Federal Power Act, hydropower licensees must reimburse upstream headwater project owners for equitable headwater benefits, and federal and non-federal project owners must file data for determining those benefits as required in 18 CFR Part 11.
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Key Dates
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