Search Results for keywords:"water quality certification"

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has finalized a rule clarifying timelines and requirements for water quality certifications under section 401(a)(1) of the Clean Water Act related to hydroelectric projects. This rule specifies that certifying authorities have one year to act on certification requests and affirms that projects discharging into U.S. waters need such certification or a waiver. The regulation updates language for consistency with Environmental Protection Agency terms and sets a timeline for filing certification requests. Changes include revising when certain certifications are required and ensuring procedural alignment with existing federal laws, aiming to enhance clarity, efficiency, and consistency in related hydroelectric proceedings.

On March 17, 2025, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) received a request from the New York Power Authority for water quality certification related to a project. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has notified the New York DEC that it has one year, until March 17, 2026, to act on this certification request. If the DEC fails to make a decision by that date, the requirement for certification is considered waived according to the Clean Water Act.

The Yuba County Water Agency has submitted an application for a water quality certification to the California State Water Resources Control Board for a project related to the Clean Water Act. The certification request was submitted on December 30, 2024, and the Water Board has one year to act on it, until December 30, 2025. If the Water Board does not act within this period, the request for certification will be considered waived according to the Clean Water Act. This notification was issued by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

Gulf South Pipeline Company, LLC has filed an application with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for the Parks Line Upgrade and Sorrento Station Project (PLUSS Project) in Louisiana. This project involves replacing segments of an existing pipeline and constructing a new compressor station to enhance capacity and reliability. The public can participate in the review process by submitting comments, protests, or motions to intervene, with a deadline for intervention set for March 4, 2025. The project also requires a water quality certification from the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality, and Gulf South is responsible for providing updates on this certification to the Commission.

The Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (Vermont DEC) received a request from Green Mountain Power Corporation for water quality certification as part of a project on January 22, 2021. According to federal regulations, they have one year to act on this request, with the deadline to act being January 22, 2022. If Vermont DEC does not respond by this date, they will waive their authority to certify the project under the Clean Water Act. This information was communicated to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on January 25, 2021.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has been informed by the Washington State Department of Ecology about a request from Seattle City Light for a Clean Water Act section 401(a)(1) water quality certification. This request, related to a specific project, was received on January 30, 2025. Washington Ecology has until January 30, 2026, to act on this request. If they do not respond by this deadline, their authority to certify is considered waived.