Great Lakes Hydro Projects Trigger Full Environmental Review in Maine
Published Date: 10/13/2026
Notice
Summary
Great Lakes Hydro America wants to keep running two hydroelectric projects in Maine, and the government is checking how this might affect the environment. They’re writing a big report to figure out any impacts and want your thoughts by certain deadlines. This review will help decide if the projects can keep going and how they might change, with updates coming through 2027.
Analyzed Economic Effects
7 provisions identified: 6 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Relicensing will decide continued hydropower
FERC will decide whether to issue new major licenses that would allow Great Lakes Hydro America to continue operating the Penobscot Mills Project (67.9 MW, about 324,346 MWh/year) and the Ripogenus Project (37.5 MW, about 221,341 MWh/year). The Commission will use a draft and final Environmental Impact Statement as part of that decision.
Penobscot Mills minimum flow and storage rules
GLHA proposes to operate North Twin with target impoundment elevations of 490.42 ft NGVD29 (May 1–Aug 21) and 488.42 ft NGVD29 (Aug 22–Oct 15), release a continuous minimum flow of 3,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) from Aug 22–Oct 15 when impoundment elevation exceeds 488.42 ft NGVD29 (otherwise meet a 2,000-cfs requirement), and provide 60 cfs minimum flow from Millinocket Lake Storage May 1–Oct 15 (and 60 cfs or inflow Oct 16–Apr 30).
Ripogenus flow, bypass, and habitat measures
GLHA proposes Ripogenus to release 12–100 cfs to the bypassed reach (seasonally), a seasonal minimum of 100 cfs into the dewatered section from July 1–September 30 (and 12 cfs the rest of the year), provide a year-round minimum flow of 1,700 cfs downstream of McKay Station for aquatic habitat, and provide 400 cfs station-outage flows and 35–65 cfs to the Holbrook side channel seasonally.
Battery storage and data transparency additions
The Penobscot Mills Project includes two battery energy sites (operating as one system) and the Ripogenus Project includes one battery site to enhance system reliability. GLHA also proposes to post impoundment levels and streamflow information on Brookfield Renewable, N.A.'s SafeWaters website and to fund a U.S. Geological Survey flow gage downstream of McKay Station (near Big Eddy).
Whitewater boating and recreational flow commitments
GLHA proposes to provide seasonal whitewater boating flows, including a specific 600-cfs whitewater boating flow in Millinocket Stream and seasonally-adjusted flows in the West Branch to support boating and recreation. The projects also include plans to develop recreation and shoreline management plans.
Fish passage, species protection, and studies
GLHA proposes to continue and enhance fish measures including operating a pool-and-weir fish passage at North Twin, provide upstream and downstream American eel passage, conduct upstream eel studies, operate the Holbrook side channel for Atlantic salmon and brook trout habitat, and coordinate consultations under the Endangered Species Act.
Shoreline buffers and habitat management commitments
GLHA proposes to maintain 200-foot conservation buffers and 100-foot vegetation buffers around the Ripogenus, North Twin, Millinocket Lake Storage, Millinocket, and Dolby impoundments; maintain Umbazooksus Lake as wetland and wildlife habitat; and develop wildlife, shoreline, recreation, and historic-properties management plans.
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