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Independent regulatory commissions

FERC Approves Drilling Program Plan for Enterprise Bridge After Addressing Comments

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has given its approval for the Drilling Program Plan (DPP) submitted by the California Department of Water Resources for the Enterprise Bridge, located upstream of Oroville Dam. The approval comes with conditions that the department must address, including specifying staff for downhole seismic survey and analysis, providing a completion date for drilling activities, and including FERC Branch Chief Rakesh Saigal in the emergency contact phone tree. The department has 10 days to address these comments and is authorized to proceed with drilling upon receipt of a letter from FERC.

Key Takeaways:

  • FERC has approved the Drilling Program Plan (DPP) for the Enterprise Bridge, part of the Feather River Project, FERC No. 2100-CA.
  • The approval is conditional upon the California Department of Water Resources addressing three comments: specifying staff for downhole seismic survey and analysis, providing a completion date for drilling activities, and including FERC Branch Chief Rakesh Saigal in the emergency contact phone tree.
  • The department has 10 days to address these comments and is authorized to proceed with drilling upon receipt of a letter from FERC.
  • Completion of the drilling activities requires federal, state, or local permits as well as environmental coordination with resource agencies.
  • The department is responsible for ensuring that all necessary permits and environmental coordination are completed before commencing work.

Statistics:

  • 10 days: the timeframe given to the California Department of Water Resources to address FERC's comments on the DPP.
  • 1: the number of conditions placed on the DPP approval, including specifying staff for downhole seismic survey and analysis, providing a completion date for drilling activities, and including FERC Branch Chief Rakesh Saigal in the emergency contact phone tree.
  • 3: the number of FERC staff that require inclusion in the emergency contact phone tree.

Sources:

  • FERC Delegated Order, June 23, 2025, Project No. 2100-CA.

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