A California Irrigation Canal Could Also Generate 40 Kilowatts
Published Date: 10/20/2026
Notice
Summary
Zushi Renewables wants to build a small hydropower project on a water canal near Bakersfield, California, that will generate clean energy without messing up the canal’s main job of watering farms. The project can produce up to 40 kilowatts of power and meets all the rules to be officially recognized as a qualifying conduit hydropower facility. People have a chance to comment or get involved before the final decision is made.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Project preliminarily qualifies; no license required
FERC staff preliminarily determined that the Arvin Edison Canal Hydrokinetic 1 Project meets the criteria for a "qualifying conduit hydropower facility" under section 30 of the Federal Power Act and therefore is not required to be licensed or exempted from licensing. The proposed project would have four 10-kW turbines for a total installed capacity of 40 kilowatts (kW).
Operation will not change canal's agricultural purpose
FERC staff preliminarily found that the project's operation "will not alter the primary purpose of the conduit, which is for agricultural consumption." The conduit is identified as a manmade water conveyance operated for distribution of water for agricultural, municipal, or industrial consumption.
Public comment and intervention window
Anyone may file comments, comments contesting whether the facility meets the qualifying criteria, or motions to intervene in this proceeding. The deadline for filing those comments and motions to intervene is November 16, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time; contested comments must state their evidentiary basis.
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Key Dates
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