FERC issues Study Plan Determination – marking a new phase in relicensing work
On February 13, FERC issued their formal Study Plan Determination. It is a significant milestone that moves us into the next phase of work to relicense the South Fork Tolt Hydroelectric Project. This license allows the City of Seattle to keep producing renewable energy by making use of resources that provide safe, clean drinking water to more than 1.6 million people in the greater Seattle area.
What is the Study Plan Determination?
The City has been working with Tribes, federal and state agencies, local governments, non-governmental organizations, and other interested parties (collectively called “Licensing Participants” or LPs) to create a list of studies intended to help fill gaps in our knowledge about the South Fork Tolt. The City first issued a Proposed Study Plan, then gathered input from LPs, and issued a Revised Study Plan.
FERC reviewed those documents and issued a Study Plan Determination. This is FERC’s decision about the studies we need to complete to better understand the South Fork Tolt River and its surrounding environment as part of the relicensing process.
What are the studies about?
The work up until now has been focused on preparation and laying groundwork for relicensing. The next two years will be focused on deep learning. The studies we complete will help us collect important information about the area. For example, we’ll study:
- How water moves through the river system.
- Fish, plants, birds, and other local wildlife.
- The history, cultural significance, and recreational uses of the area.
What’s next?
The City will continue to work with Tribes and other LPs during the study implementation phase to help us better understand the South Fork Tolt. The list of studies that will be completed in the coming years, includes those required by the Study Plan Determination as well as additional research agreed between the City and LPs.
How can you stay updated?
Visit our website at Seattle City Light Tolt Relicensing page to learn more and view project documents. You can also sign up for email updates to receive the latest news about the relicensing process.
Background information about the South Fork Tolt facilities:
The South Fork Tolt Hydroelectric Project helps power our Tolt Water Treatment Facility and provides renewable energy. The dam and reservoir also supply 30-40% of the drinking water for 1.6 million people in the Seattle area. This project is small, providing just 1% of Seattle’s electricity, but it plays an important role in supporting our community’s energy and water needs.
The current hydropower license expires in 2029, and we are working now to renew it. This ensures we can keep using this resource sustainably while protecting the environment and benefiting our communities.
Please explore the Seattle City Light Tolt Relicensing page for more information!