Conditional Authorization for the Exploration Drilling Program Plan of the Hells Canyon Project

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has issued a conditional authorization for the Exploration Drilling Program Plan (DPP) of the Hells Canyon Project, FERC No. 1971. The Conditional Authorization was issued on October 16, 2025, by Kathleen Clarkson, P.E., Acting Regional Engineer of the FERC's Portland Regional Office. The authorization is contingent upon the project developers, Idaho Power Company, addressing and incorporating seven specific comments and recommendations into a revised DPP.

Key Takeaways:

• The Conditional Authorization is based on the Exploration Drilling Program Plan (DPP) submitted by Idaho Power Company, which includes the Oxbow Development of the Hells Canyon Project (FERC No. 1971).
• The Conditional Authorization requires the project developers to address and incorporate seven specific comments and recommendations into a revised DPP, including:

* Evaluating and identifying the proposed drilling location with the lowest risk of impacting spillway operations and construction schedule in the event of a slope failure.

* Including the requirement to record water depth in the boring at the beginning and end of each drilling shift.

* Requiring the field professional supervising the drilling work to document grout take for each boring as the grouting work progresses.

* Taking care when drilling and grouting the shear zone, where fluid and grout loss are most likely to occur and may result in increased instability of the rock mass.

* Ensuring that plan view and cross-section boring labels are consistent in the DPP to avoid confusion.

* Accepting the resumes of Messrs. Wade Worthing, Ryan Cole, and Andy Caneday, the proposed field professionals supervising the drilling work, and rejecting the resumes of Messrs. Omid Arabnia and Dr. Farnood Sobhbidari.

* Documenting grout takes during drilling work to minimize grout loss and ensure accurate backfill volumes.

• The project developers are authorized to proceed with the DPP, provided that the conditions are met and the revised DPP is submitted to FERC prior to the start of work.
• Prior to the start of work, all necessary license article requirements must be met, and all the necessary state, local, and federal permits must be secured.

Statistics:

• The Conditional Authorization is issued on October 16, 2025.
• The project developers must address and incorporate seven specific comments and recommendations into a revised DPP.
• The project developers are authorized to proceed with the DPP, provided that the conditions are met and the revised DPP is submitted to FERC prior to the start of work.
• The project developers must submit a geotechnical data report summarizing the results of the drilling within 90 days following the completion of drilling.

Sources:

• FERC's Conditional Authorization for the Exploration Drilling Program Plan of the Hells Canyon Project, FERC No. 1971 (October 16, 2025).
• Kathleen Clarkson, P.E., Acting Regional Engineer, FERC's Portland Regional Office (October 16, 2025).