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Electric utilities

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Approves Revised Project Operating Plan for Clackamas River Hydroelectric Project

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The Portland General Electric Company has filed a revised Project Operating Plan for the Clackamas River Hydroelectric Project, which was reviewed and approved by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. The revised plan aims to clarify and remove operational conflicts, and ensure compliance with operating limits and regulatory requirements. The plan was reviewed by various resource agencies, including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Forest Service, and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, and was approved on March 31, 2023.

Key Takeaways:

  • The revised Project Operating Plan for the Clackamas River Hydroelectric Project was approved by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on May 23, 2023.
  • The plan makes minor revisions to sections 1.B and 8.B, expanding the definition of Operating Exceptions and clarifying allowed flow releases during maintenance or inspections.
  • The revisions aim to prevent conflicts between compliance with operating limits and operations implemented to protect public safety or in support of regulatory requirements.
  • The plan was reviewed and approved by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Forest Service, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, and other resource agencies.
  • The revised plan is effective immediately, subject to compliance with the Commission's regulations.
  • The licensee's failure to file a request for rehearing within 30 days from the date of the order shall constitute acceptance of the order.

Statistics:

  • The Clackamas River Hydroelectric Project is located on the Clackamas River and the Oak Grove Fork of the Clackamas River in Clackamas County, Oregon.
  • The project occupies federal lands within the Mt. Hood National Forest managed by the U.S. Forest Service and a reservation of the U.S. Department of Interior's Bureau of Land Management.
  • The revised plan was filed on April 4, 2023, and issued on May 23, 2023.
  • The plan was approved by the Commission's Director, Kelly Houff, Chief of the Engineering Resources Branch, Division of Hydropower Administration and Compliance.

Sources:

  • Portland General Electric Company, Order Approving Revised Project Operating Plan, Project No. 2195-197, 183 FERC P 62,099 (2023).
  • NERC, North American Electric Reliability Corporation, [https://www.nerc.com](https://www.nerc.com).
  • WECC, Western Electricity Coordinating Council, [https://www.wecc.ca](https://www.wecc.ca).
  • The Fish Agencies, National Marine Fisheries Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, [https://www.fws.gov](https://www.fws.gov), [https://www.nmfs.noaa.gov](https://www.nmfs.noaa.gov), and [https://www.dfw.state.or.us](https://www.dfw.state.or.us).
  • The Fish Committee, [https://www.fishcommittee.org](https://www.fishcommittee.org).

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