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United States. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

Brookfield Smoky Mountain Hydropower Project Submits Request for Schedule Change

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Brookfield Smoky Mountain Hydropower LP, a subsidiary of Brookfield Renewable, has submitted a request to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to revise the schedule for safety inspections at the Cheoah and Santeetlah developments, part of the Brookfield Smoky Mountain Hydropower Project (FERC No. P-2169). The request, made by Ashley Thomas, Sr. Compliance Manager, seeks to swap the schedule between the two developments to accommodate ongoing Finite Element Model (FEM) structural analysis being performed for the Santeetlah Dam. This change aims to ensure the Santeetlah FEM is completed before its Comprehensive Assessment (CA) in 2032.

Key Takeaways:

  • Brookfield Smoky Mountain Hydropower LP has submitted a request to FERC to revise the Part 12D Independent Consultant's Safety Inspection schedule for the Cheoah and Santeetlah developments.
  • The requested schedule change would swap the 2027 Comprehensive Assessment (CA) between the Cheoah and Santeetlah developments, allowing time for the Santeetlah Finite Element Model (FEM) structural analysis to be completed.
  • According to the request, the Santeetlah Development would undertake a Periodic Inspection (PI) in 2027 and a CA in 2032, while the Cheoah Development would undertake a CA in 2027 and a PI in 2032.
  • The schedule change would not impact the total CA count in any given year for the FERC Atlanta Region or for Brookfield.
  • Ashley Thomas, Sr. Compliance Manager, can be contacted at (304) 222-4321 or ashley.thomas@brookfieldrenewable.com for any questions or additional information.
  • The requested change would involve co-coordinating between the extended team of individuals mentioned, including J. Clere, S. Hofacker, K. Poquette, B. Myers, R. Dorman, and D. Bates.

Statistics:

  • The number of developments affected by the schedule change: 2
  • The specific projects affected: Cheoah and Santeetlah developments
  • The timeline for the Santeetlah Finite Element Model (FEM) structural analysis completion: 2032
  • The revised inspection schedule for the Santeetlah Development: PI in 2027, CA in 2032
  • The revised inspection schedule for the Cheoah Development: CA in 2027, PI in 2032
  • The FERC Commission where the request was submitted: Atlanta Regional Office
  • The staff responsible at FERC: William J. Brown, P.E., Regional Engineer

Sources:

  • Federal Energy Regulatory Commission: William J. Brown, P.E., Regional Engineer Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Division of Dam Safety and Inspections Atlanta Regional Office 3700 Crestwood Parkway, Suite 950 Duluth, GA 30096
  • Brookfield Smoky Mountain Hydropower LP: Ashley Thomas, Sr. Compliance Manager, ashley.thomas@brookfieldrenewable.com, (304) 222-4321.

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