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Independent regulatory commissions

FERC Issues Guidance on Hydroelectric Project Safety Compliance

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has issued guidance to the Northern Indiana Public Service Company regarding the Norway and Oakdale Hydroelectric Project. The guidance focuses on the compliance of the project with FERC regulations, particularly with regards to safety measures and incident reporting.

Key Takeaways:

  • The FERC has received the submittal for the Norway and Oakdale Hydroelectric Project (FERC No. 12514) and has reviewed the documentation for compliance with 18 CFR Part SS12.64 of the regulations.
  • The December 12, 2024, 12.10 Incident Report details an equipment failure at the Oakdale Dam, which resulted in a hydraulic oil leak of under 50 gallons into the Tippecanoe River. The incident was reported to the FERC and relevant authorities on the same day.
  • The March 14, 2025, 12.10 Incident Report details an uncontrollable discharge at the Unit 3 Generator, which was reported to the FERC and stopped by 4:00 PM the same day.
  • The 12.10 Reports generally satisfy the requirements of Part 12, Subpart B SS12.10(a) (1 & 2), but lack proper notarization.
  • The EAP Updates and ODSP were submitted as full documents, but the certificates for both the Norway and Oakdale Dams indicate that testing of the emergency backup power was not done in 2024.
  • The comments regarding the Oakdale Certificate include the need for updating the Date of Detailed Inspection, Date of Current Opening, Date of Last Full Opening, Opening Height, and ensuring that the emergency backup power is tested annually.

Statistics:

  • 50 gallons: the amount of hydraulic oil leaked into the Tippecanoe River due to the equipment failure at the Oakdale Dam on December 9, 2024.
  • 10 years: the interval between detailed gate inspections required for Category I gates, such as those at the Oakdale Dam.
  • 5 years: the interval between full-open tests required for Category I gates, such as those at the Oakdale Dam.
  • 2033: the year by which the next detailed gate inspection for the Oakdale gates is due.
  • 2024: the year in which the emergency backup power was not tested for both the Norway and Oakdale Dams.

Sources:

  • FERC General Correspondence, May 30, 2025.
  • Northern Indiana Public Service Company, December 12, 2024.
  • FERC, December 19, 2024.
  • FERC, December 20, 2024.
  • FERC, December 31, 2024.
  • FERC, March 14, 2025.
  • FERC, Document Accession # 20250530-3084, Filed Date: 05/30/2025.

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