Overview
Title
Goose River Hydro Inc.; Notice of Termination of License (Minor Project) by Implied Surrender and Soliciting Comments, Protests, and Motions To Intervene
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The Goose River Hydro project, which hasn't made electricity in a long time, needs a special permission to keep going, but it's being taken away because the company can't take care of it anymore. Now, people have until March 1, 2021, to say what they think or ask to be involved in deciding what happens next.
Summary AI
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has begun a proceeding to terminate the license of Goose River Hydro Inc. for the Goose River Hydroelectric Project in Maine due to implied surrender. The project, which has not generated electricity since 2003, includes several developments with some facilities in disrepair. FERC found that the company failed to fulfill necessary requirements and adhere to previous directives, as Goose River Hydro, Inc. is dissolving and lacks the assets and rights to maintain the project. Public comments, protests, and motions to intervene need to be submitted by March 1, 2021, with specific filing instructions provided for electronic or paper submissions.
Keywords AI
Sources
AnalysisAI
The document from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) announces the initiation of a process to terminate the license for the Goose River Hydroelectric Project in Maine. This license termination is described as being due to "implied surrender," indicating that Goose River Hydro Inc., the company responsible for the project, has failed to maintain it in accordance with regulatory expectations. The project, involving several facilities, has not generated electricity since 2003, and there are indications that some of these facilities are in disrepair.
General Summary
The Federal Register notice outlines the course of action undertaken by the FERC in response to the non-compliance of Goose River Hydro Inc. The company appears to be in a state of dissolution, lacking both the financial resources and the necessary rights over certain project features to continue its operation or even adequately surrender its responsibilities. The public has been invited to submit comments, protests, or motions to intervene by a specified deadline, illustrating a level of public involvement in regulatory procedures.
Significant Issues and Concerns
Several issues are of concern regarding this notice. Firstly, the document does not make clear the implications of a license termination for local stakeholders, including potential impacts on the community's energy supply or water management. Furthermore, while it is evident that Goose River Hydro Inc. is facing dissolution, the details surrounding its financial difficulties are not provided, leaving the exact nature of the company's struggles somewhat ambiguous.
The instructions for public participation through comments, protests, or motions are described in a manner that might be considered complex, especially for those without legal background or familiarity with regulatory processes. Moreover, the technical language used to describe the project facilities, such as "dams, intakes, and penstocks," has not been simplified for a general audience, which could lead to challenges in understanding for those not proficient in such terminology.
Potential Impacts on the Public
From a broad perspective, the termination of the hydroelectric project license could impact local electricity generation, potentially leading to a shift in how the community sustains its energy needs. The document does not articulate the potential environmental or economic repercussions, which could include effects on local water systems or alterations in land use in the areas surrounding the Goose River.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
For specific stakeholders, such as residents near the Goose River, local businesses relying on the river for operations, or environmental groups monitoring ecosystem impacts, the termination could have varied effects. Some might view the potential cessation of poorly maintained facilities positively, seeing it as an opportunity for restoration or new development. Conversely, others may be concerned about the potential loss of a renewable energy source and the economic ramifications that could follow if new investors do not step in to revitalize or repurpose the project's infrastructure.
In conclusion, while the notice outlines a regulatory measure, the broader implications for both the community and specific interest groups remain unclear. As concerned individuals and affected parties consider their responses or engagement with the process, further clarity and detail from the FERC and Goose River Hydro Inc. would help address various uncertainties surrounding the license termination.
Issues
• The document lacks a clear explanation of the implications of terminating the Goose River Hydro Project license by implied surrender and how it impacts local stakeholders and energy supply.
• The document mentions Goose River Hydro Inc. is in dissolution and lacks assets, but it does not provide details on the financial status or how this was determined.
• The language around the requirements for filing comments, protests, or motions to intervene is complex and might be difficult for the general public to understand.
• The document does not specify any actions or expected outcomes from the proposed termination beyond the deadline for comments and interventions, leading to potential ambiguity about next steps.
• Description of the project facilities includes technical terms (e.g., dams, intakes, penstocks, powerhouses) that are not explained or defined for a general audience.
• While the document references several regulatory codes (e.g., 18 CFR 6.4, 18 CFR 385.210), it does not provide summaries or explanations of these regulations which may be important for understanding compliance requirements.