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United States. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

Burlington Electric Department Submits Study Progress Report for Chace Mill Hydroelectric Project

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The Burlington Electric Department (BED) has submitted a study progress report to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) regarding the relicensing of the 7.455-MW Chace Mill Hydroelectric Project in Vermont. The report details the progress made in conducting Year 1 studies as part of the Integrated Licensing Process (ILP) regulations. BED is currently in the midst of conducting six studies, with field efforts associated with some studies ongoing or about to commence. The Initial Study Report (ISR) is due to FERC by September 9, 2025, and will include summaries of studies that are ongoing at the time of submission.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Chace Mill Hydroelectric Project has been in operation since 1926 and is currently undergoing relicensing.
  • The Burlington Electric Department is conducting six studies as part of the Integrated Licensing Process (ILP) regulations.
  • The studies include a Water Quality Study, American Eel Upstream Passage Study, Lake Sturgeon Assessment, Upstream Fish Passage Assessment, Downstream Fish Passage Assessment, and Spillage Flow Study.
  • Field efforts are ongoing or about to commence for some of the studies, while others have been completed.
  • The Initial Study Report (ISR) is due to FERC by September 9, 2025, and will include summaries of studies that are ongoing at the time of submission.
  • The licensee, Burlington Electric Department, is committed to ensuring the environmental and social sustainability of the project.
  • The project affects various stakeholders, including federal agencies, state agencies, municipal governments, non-governmental organizations, and Native American tribes.
  • The relicensing process involves a comprehensive evaluation of the project's impacts on the environment, water quality, and local communities.

Statistics:

  • The Chace Mill Hydroelectric Project has a generating capacity of 7.455 MW (page 1).
  • The project is located on the Winooski River in Chittenden County, Vermont (page 1).
  • The Integrated Licensing Process (ILP) regulations require the completion of six studies, which are currently underway (page 1-2).
  • The field efforts associated with the Water Quality Study, American Eel Upstream Passage Study, Lake Sturgeon Assessment, and Downstream Fish Passage Assessment - Smolt Telemetry Study have been completed (page 2).
  • Field efforts for the Upstream Fish Passage Assessment and Spillage Flow Study are ongoing or about to commence (page 2).
  • The Initial Study Report (ISR) is due to FERC by September 9, 2025 (page 2).

Sources:

  • Burlington Electric Department (August 1, 2025) Chace Mill Hydroelectric Project (FERC No. 2756) Study Progress Report.
  • Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (August 1, 2025) Chace Mill Hydroelectric Project (FERC No. 2756) Study Progress Report.
  • Burlington Electric Department (August 1, 2025) Chace Mill Hydroelectric Project Relicensing Distribution List.
  • Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (August 1, 2025) Chace Mill Hydroelectric Project Relicensing Distribution List.

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