FERC fast-tracks reviews to accelerate actions at hydropower projects

“We must move important approvals forward quickly while ensuring we fully meet our NEPA obligations. Today’s actions are practical, common-sense solutions that streamline our hydropower environmental review processes and allow us to better focus our efforts on reviewing large scale projects,” said Chairman Laura V. Swett.

Congress has empowered federal agencies to create Categorical Exclusions, the use of which satisfies NEPA without the need to prepare an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement, for?certain types of actions that normally do not significantly affect the quality of the human environment.

In the first of two orders, FERC issued a Final Rule amending its NEPA regulations by expanding an existing Categorical Exclusion. The revised exclusion now covers terminations or revocations of hydropower licenses and exemptions that involve minor or no ground-disturbing activities and minor or no alterations to reservoir conditions and downstream flows.?This change should streamline case processing and focus staff resources. A Notice of Proposed Rulemaking issued in February 2026 seeking public comment on these revisions.

In a second order,?the Commission adopted two of the Tennessee Valley Authority’s existing Categorical Exclusions. These exclusions apply to development of recreation sites near hydropower projects to support activities such as hunting, fishing, primitive camping, wildlife observation, hiking, and mountain biking, as well as development of public use areas that generally result in physical disturbance of no more than 10 acres. These activities may include construction of parking areas, campgrounds, stream access points, and day use areas.

For more news and technical articles from the global renewable industry, read the latest issue of Energy Global magazine.

Energy Global’s Summer 2026 issue

The Summer issue of 2026 is out now! The new issue starts with a regional report on Latin America and the Caribbean, considering the benefits and challenges of renewable energy development in the region. The issue also covers topics such as lubricants, digitalisation, the importance of ports, battery storage technology, and more! With contributors from industry leaders including ABB, WindEurope, Sungrow, among others, this is an issue not to miss.

Read the article online at: https://www.energyglobal.com/other-renewables/17072026/ferc-fast-tracks-reviews-to-accelerate-actions-at-hydropower-projects/