Ashuelot River Hydro Withdraws Water Quality Certification Request to Allow Administrative Record to Develop

Strategic Insights -

As part of its Final License Application filed on June 28, 2024, Ashuelot River Hydro (ARH) had requested Water Quality Certification (WQC) from the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES). However, in a recent filing with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), ARH has unilaterally withdrawn its request for WQC to enable the administrative record to continue developing before both FERC and NHDES. This decision will allow ARH to refile its request for WQC with NHDES within 60 days after FERC issues its Ready for Environmental Analysis Notice.

Key Takeaways:

  • Ashuelot River Hydro (ARH) withdrew its Water Quality Certification (WQC) request from the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) to allow the administrative record to continue developing.
  • The decision was made to give FERC and NHDES more time to process the Final License Application filed by ARH on June 28, 2024.
  • ARH will refile its request for WQC with NHDES within 60 days after FERC issues its Ready for Environmental Analysis Notice.
  • The WQC request was part of the Final License Application process for the Minnewawa Hydroelectric Project.
  • The project is currently being reviewed by FERC and NHDES as part of the permitting process.
  • ARH has sent notifications to Cheshire County Administration, City of Keene, and various other stakeholders regarding the withdrawal of the WQC request.

Statistics:

  • Filing date for the Final License Application: June 28, 2024
  • Date of WQC request withdrawal: May 22, 2025
  • Timeframe for refiling WQC request: Within 60 days after FERC issues its Ready for Environmental Analysis Notice
  • Project Name: Ashuelot River Hydro (ARH) - Minnewawa Hydroelectric Project

Sources:

  • Ashuelot River Hydro, Inc. (2025). E-FILED ONLY. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
  • Ashuelot River Hydro, Inc. (2024). Final License Application. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
  • New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (2024). Water Quality Certification Request. Ashuelot River Hydro, Inc.