FERC Responds to Independent Consultant's Safety Inspection Report for McCloud Dam

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has responded to an independent consultant's safety inspection report for McCloud Dam, part of the McCloud-Pit Project, FERC No. 2106. On July 22, 2025, FERC's San Francisco Regional Office issued a letter to Pacific Gas and Electric Company's Director of Power Generation, Asset Excellence, Mr. Russell Cruzen. FERC's review of the Eleventh Independent Consultant's Safety Inspection Report (Part 12D Report) concludes that the report satisfies the requirements of Part 12, Subpart D, SS12.37 of Title 18 of the Code of Federal Regulations. The report, submitted on November 1, 2021, was found to be prepared in general accordance with the Engineering Guidelines Chapter 14 outline.

Key Takeaways:

• FERC reviewed the Eleventh Independent Consultant's Safety Inspection Report (Part 12D Report) for McCloud Dam, finding it to be prepared in general accordance with the Engineering Guidelines Chapter 14 outline.
• The report, submitted on November 1, 2021, satisfied the requirements of Part 12, Subpart D, SS12.37 of Title 18 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
• FERC noted that the spillway at McCloud Dam does not have adequate capacity, a concern previously addressed in other correspondence.
• A Board of Consultants has been convened to oversee the modification of the spillway.
• FERC appreciates Pacific Gas and Electric Company's cooperation in the dam safety program.
• Mr. Fenggang Ma at (415) 369-3319 is available to answer any questions.

Statistics:

• 11th Independent Consultant's Safety Inspection Report submitted on November 1, 2021.
• The report was prepared in accordance with the Engineering Guidelines Chapter 14 outline.
• 100% of the report's contents were found to meet the requirements of Part 12, Subpart D, SS12.37 of Title 18 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
• McCloud Dam's spillway lacks adequate capacity.

Sources:

• Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. (2025, July 22). FERC No. 2106-CA. Letter to Pacific Gas and Electric Company's Mr. Russell Cruzen. FERC Service, Document Accession #: 20250722-3068.
• The Engineer's Guidelines Chapter 14 outline, (date not specified).
• Pacific Gas and Electric Company. (2021, November 1). Eleventh Independent Consultant's Safety Inspection Report for McCloud Dam, (date not specified).
• Federal Register, 18 CFR 12, Subpart D, SS12.37.