Licensing

Licenses

The Commission's major hydropower activity is relicensing existing projects whose licenses are about to expire. Staff prepares either an Environmental Assessments (EA) or an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and bases recommended license conditions on these reviews. 

• Complete list of Active Licenses. Updated 9/9/2024
• Marine and Hydrokinetic Projects
• Small/Low-Impact Hydropower Projects 
• Pumped Storage Projects
• Pending License, Relicense, and Exemption Applications. Updated 9/11/2024
• Expected Relicense Projects FY 2024 – FY 2038. Updated 10/12/2023
• Licenses and Exemptions Issued in Less than 2 Years. Updated 9/9/2024
• Applications for Original Licenses
• Applications for New Licenses and Relicensing

Permits

• Preliminary Permits
• Status of Requests for Preliminary Permit Term Extensions. Updated 9/10/2024
• Active Preliminary Permits. Updated 9/9/2024
• Pending Preliminary Permits. Updated 9/11/2024

Exemptions

• Exemptions from Licensing
• Active Exemptions. Updated 9/9/2024

Licensing Processes

• Integrated, Traditional, and Alternative Licensing Processes
• Matrix Comparing Three Licensing Processes
• Projects Currently in Pre-filing ILP. Updated 9/11/2024

Alternative Licensing Process Flowcharts

• Applicant's Pre-Filing Process
• FERC Application Process

Traditional Licensing Process Flowcharts

• Applicant's Pre-Filing Process
• FERC Application Process

Guidelines

Integrated Licensing Process

• A Guide to Understanding and Applying the Integrated Licensing Process Study Criteria
• Ideas for Implementing and Participating in the Integrated Licensing Process (ILP)
• Understanding the Study Criteria: ILP

Checklists

• Adequacy Review Checklist for Preliminary Permit Applications
• Adequacy Review Checklists for Notice of Intent
• Adequacy Review Checklist for Pre Application Documents
• Adequacy Review Checklists for Hydropower License Applications (ILP)
• Adequacy Review Checklists for Hydropower License Applications (Traditional Licensing Process) 
• Adequacy Review Checklist for 5 MW Exemption Applications
• Checklist for Application for Exemption of Small Conduit Hydroelectric

General Guidance

• Guidance for Applicants Seeking Licenses or Preliminary Permits for Closed- Loop Pumped Storage Projects at Abandoned Mine Sites
• Evaluating Geologic and Soils Issues at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
• Managing Hydropower Project Exhibits - Drawings Guide |Summary of August 2014 Updates 
• Preparing Environmental Documents 
• Development of Historic Properties Management Plans
• Hydropower Licensing and Endangered Species
• Handbook for Using Third-Party Contractors to Prepare Environmental Documents
• Handbook for Hydroelectric Project Licensing and 5 MW Exemptions from Licensing
•  Integrated Licensing Process (ILP) - Workshops and Conferences
• Guidance on Environmental Measures in License Applications
• Comprehensive Plans

Contents of an application

• Part 5–Integrated License Application Process
• Traditional and Alternative Licensing Processes

Project Information

The following descriptive information is available for licenses, exemptions, and preliminary permits issued by the Commission:

1. Project Number and Name;
2. Licensee/Exemptee/Permitee;
3. Authorized Capacity in Kilowatts;
4. State(s);
5. River/Stream;
6. Issuance Date; and
7. Expiration Date.

For further information you should contact the Public Reference Room during the hours of 8:30 to 5:00 Monday through Friday at 202-502-8371 or toll-free at 1-866-208-3676. Your requests can also be e-mailed to public.referenceroom@ferc.gov.