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United States. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

Connecticut River Conservancy Seeks 30-Day Extension for Public Comment on Hydroelectric Project

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The Connecticut River Conservancy (CRC) and American Rivers have submitted a request to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for a 30-day extension of the public comment period on the Turners Falls Hydroelectric Project and the Northfield Mountain Pumped Storage Project. The current public comment period is set to expire on July 29, 2025, and the organizations argue that a longer period is necessary to allow for meaningful comments on the project's environmental impact.

The DEIS, which spans 219 pages with 809 pages of appendices, is complex and highly technical, requiring time for stakeholders to analyze and comment. The public comment period should be long enough to allow for meaningful input on a license that will have impacts on the Connecticut River for decades. The organizations are also simultaneously working on comments on a draft EIS for three additional Connecticut River dams, placing a burden on the public.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Connecticut River Conservancy (CRC) and American Rivers have requested a 30-day extension for the public comment period on the Turners Falls Hydroelectric Project and the Northfield Mountain Pumped Storage Project.
  • The current public comment period is set to expire on July 29, 2025, but the organizations argue that more time is needed to allow for meaningful comments on the project's environmental impact.
  • The DEIS is complex and highly technical, spanning 219 pages with 809 pages of appendices.
  • The public comment period should be long enough to allow for meaningful input on a license that will have impacts on the Connecticut River for decades.
  • The organizations are simultaneously working on comments on a draft EIS for three additional Connecticut River dams, placing a burden on the public.
  • FERC's grant of additional time for public comment will not substantially delay the licensing process.
  • Nina Gordon-Kirsch, M.Sc. from the Connecticut River Conservancy and Andrew Fisk, Ph.D. from American Rivers have signed the request.

Statistics:

  • The DEIS spans 219 pages with 809 pages of appendices.
  • The public comment period has been initiated for a total of 60 days, with the current deadline of July 29, 2025.
  • The projects have been proposed for 50-year licenses to operate.
  • The organizations are also working on comments on a draft EIS for three additional Connecticut River dams.

Sources:

  • CT River Conservancy (2025, June 18). Request for Extension of Public Comment Period: Turners Falls Hydroelectric Project (Project No. 1889-085) and Northfield Mountain Pumped Storage Project (Project No. 2485-071).
  • FERC (2025, May 30). Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Turners Falls Hydroelectric Project No. 1889-085 and the Northfield Mountain Pumped Storage Project No. 2485-071.
  • FERC (2025, June 6). Formal Consultations and Biological Opinions for Federally Endangered Species.
  • Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (2025, May 12). Clean Water Act Section 401 Certification for the Turners Falls Hydroelectric Project and the Northfield Mountain Pumped Storage Project.

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