PPL Montana took the first formal step to renew its federal license to generate electricity at Mystic Dam when it filed a ”pre-application document” with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission today.
The filing includes information for key stakeholders about Mystic Dam and provides schedules for site visits with interested parties to discuss the potential future impacts of the Mystic operation on the surrounding environment.
Although the company’s license to produce power at Mystic doesn’t expire until Dec. 31, 2009, the FERC renewal process must begin five to 5-1/2 years prior.
Mystic is among the first hydroelectric facilities in the nation to follow FERC’s new Integrated Licensing Process aimed at increasing public participation, enhancing regulatory efficiency and reducing the time necessary to license projects. The process requires consideration of hydro operations, fisheries, wildlife, habitat, water quality, recreation, cultural resources and aesthetics around each hydroelectric facility.
“The intent of this new process is to engage the public, resource agencies, elected officials and the company early in the relicensing process to resolve any potential disputes and make good, informed decisions with cost-effective outcomes,” said David Hoffman, PPL Montana’s manager of external affairs. “PPL Montana’s Mystic Lake Relicensing Coordination Web site is one way we’re keeping stakeholders informed and involved in the licensing process.”
The Web site, which can be accessed at http://www.mysticlakeproject.com, is designed to provide information to the public, conservation groups and regulatory agencies about the relicensing of Mystic Dam. It will be updated regularly with news, documents and meeting agendas and summaries, and provides an avenue for interested parties to provide feedback.
“PPL Montana has a solid track record of safe and reliable operation, environmental stewardship and public responsibility,” Hoffman said. “We look forward to working together with stakeholders throughout this relicensing process.”
The pre-application document will be posted on the Web site in the next few weeks.
Relicensing is a routine part in the life of every hydroelectric power plant. Power companies that use dams to produce energy need to renew their licenses from FERC every 30 to 50 years. FERC issues and oversees operating licenses for about 2,500 hydropower dams across the country.
Built in 1925, the 12-megawatt Mystic facility is on the Rosebud Creek in the Beartooth Mountains, 75 miles southwest of Billings, Mont.
PPL Montana has committed significant financial resources for recreational and environmental projects along Montana river systems. The company supports community needs, funds education and scholarship programs, provides hiking and recreation areas near its hydroelectric dams, and is a major sponsor of the Lewis and Clark bicentennial celebration.
PPL Montana has offices in Billings, Butte and Helena. With about 500 employees, PPL Montana operates the coal-fired Colstrip and Corette power plants and 11 hydroelectric facilities along the Missouri, Flathead, Clark Fork and Madison rivers and Rosebud Creek. PPL EnergyPlus, another PPL subsidiary, operates a trading floor in Butte that markets and sells power in the wholesale energy market. More information is available here.