Overview
Title
Moon Lake Electric Association, Inc.; Notice of Effectiveness of Withdrawal of License Application
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ELI5 AI
Moon Lake Electric wanted to keep running their power project but found it too expensive, so they asked to stop. No one disagreed, so they were told to officially close it and walk away.
Summary AI
Moon Lake Electric Association, Inc. initially applied for a new license for their Uintah Hydroelectric Project on January 31, 2017. However, due to the high anticipated costs of operating the project under the new license, they decided to withdraw their application on December 23, 2020. The withdrawal became official on January 8, 2021, after no one opposed it, and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission took no action against it. Consequently, the Commission terminated the proceeding and instructed Moon Lake to file an application to surrender the project.
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AnalysisAI
General Summary of the Document
The document discusses a recent decision by Moon Lake Electric Association, Inc., which withdrew its application for a new license for the 1.2-megawatt Uintah Hydroelectric Project in early January 2021. Initially filed on January 31, 2017, the application was withdrawn on December 23, 2020, due to concerns over the projected expenses associated with operating the project under the terms of the new license. With no objections raised against this withdrawal, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) allowed the withdrawal to take effect on January 8, 2021, and subsequently terminated the proceeding. Additionally, FERC has instructed Moon Lake to submit an application to surrender the project altogether.
Significant Issues or Concerns
An important issue highlighted in this document is the lack of specific information regarding the costs that led to the project's classification as uneconomic under the new license. While it mentions that anticipated costs were a deterrent, no detailed breakdown or analysis of these financial projections is provided. This lack of comprehensive cost details may hinder stakeholders and the general public from fully understanding the economic challenges associated with the project.
Impact on the Public
For the general public, this document signifies a halted energy project that might have contributed to local energy production and possibly economic or job opportunities related to its operation and maintenance. The Uintah Hydroelectric Project, albeit small in capacity at 1.2 megawatts, could have added to the renewable energy portfolio within the region, potentially contributing to sustainable energy goals. The termination of the project may also affect local water resource management if the project had implications for water flow or hydro usage.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
For stakeholders directly involved or invested in the Uintah Hydroelectric Project, the withdrawal could represent both a relief from potentially unmanageable financial obligations but also a setback in developmental progress. Moon Lake Electric Association, Inc., in particular, faces the challenge of seeking alternative measures regarding their energy plans and investments. Regulatory bodies like FERC, while fulfilling their duties to ensure projects are economically viable and compliant, have the additional task of guiding stakeholders through the proper processes, such as the application for surrender, which could involve legal and environmental considerations. This decision might also impact local governmental bodies and environmental groups that had stakes or interests in the project development.
Issues
• The document mentions that the project is uneconomic under the new license, but does not provide specific details on what factors or costs contributed to this decision. This lack of detail may limit understanding of the decision.