FERC Grants Xcel Energy Extension for Recreation Reporting

Strategic Insights -

Xcel Energy, the licensee for the Tacoma Hydroelectric Project, has been granted an extension of time to comply with recreation reporting requirements. The request for an extension, filed on December 17, 2021, was due to factors such as the draining of Electra Lake for repair work and the anticipated delay in water levels rising high enough to allow for recreational use. This extension will allow Xcel to gather necessary data and submit a comprehensive report by April 1, 2024.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Public Service Company of Colorado d/b/a Xcel Energy filed a request for an extension of time to comply with recreation reporting requirements on December 17, 2021.
  • The recreation plan requires Xcel to complete a recreational use report every six years, which includes a summary of project recreation occupancy indicator information and other data collected during the previous year.
  • The project occupies lands managed by the U.S. Forest Service and is 20 miles north of Durango, Colorado, in La Plata and San Juan counties, Colorado.
  • Xcel was previously granted a one-year extension of time to file the next recreational use report and recreation and carrying capacity report, as well as to combine the documents into a single comprehensive report due April 1, 2023.
  • The request for an additional extension of time, until April 1, 2024, was granted due to the delays caused by the draining of Electra Lake for repair work.
  • The comprehensive report will address the requirements of section 6.0 of the approved recreation and land management plan and Article 412 of the project license.

Statistics:

  • The project is 20 miles north of Durango, Colorado, in La Plata and San Juan counties, Colorado.
  • The recreation plan requires Xcel to complete a recreational use report every six years, and a recreation questionnaire survey report and carrying capacity assessment every 12 years.
  • The extension of time granted to Xcel is for one year, until April 1, 2024.
  • The project occupies lands managed by the U.S. Forest Service.

Sources:

  • Order GRANTING EXTENSION OF TIME FOR RECREATION REPORTING (March 11, 2022)
  • Final Rule No. 852, issued December 20, 2018
  • Order Modifying and Approving Recreation and Land Management Plan Per Articles 410 and 411, (141 FERC P 62,101), issued November 8, 2012
  • Order Issuing New License (130 FERC P 62,107), issued July 1, 2010