Sign in Subscribe
United States. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

Michigan Hydro Relicensing Coalition Seeks FERC Action on Unresolved Issues

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The Michigan Hydro Relicensing Coalition has requested the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to take action on unresolved matters related to Consumers Energy's hydropower projects, including the retirement and disposition of dams. The coalition, which has overseen Consumers Energy's implementation of 1994 FERC license orders, seeks FERC's approval on Consumers Energy's Proposed Plan and Schedule for the Retirement Study Update filed in 2012 and the Offer of Settlement filed in 2008. The coalition is concerned that these unresolved matters could cloud the waters during the forthcoming license transfer application associated with the planned sale of Consumers Energy's 13 hydropower projects to Hull Street Energy.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Michigan Hydro Relicensing Coalition has submitted a document to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission requesting action on unresolved issues related to Consumers Energy's hydropower projects.
  • The coalition seeks FERC's approval on Consumers Energy's Proposed Plan and Schedule for the Retirement Study Update filed in 2012 and the Offer of Settlement filed in 2008.
  • The Proposed Plan and Schedule for the Retirement Study Update aims to develop removal costs for Consumers eleven projects, assuming either complete removal with restoration or complete removal with no restoration.
  • The coalition has estimated the Brown Bridge Dam removal cost at $4,400,000, based on a publicly available 2023 Practitioner's Guide to Hydropower Dam Removal.
  • The coalition is concerned that unresolved matters related to dam retirement studies could cloud the waters during the forthcoming license transfer application.
  • The coalition requests that the Commission address these unresolved matters to maintain transparency and facilitate the license transfer process.

Statistics:

  • $4,400,000: Estimated Brown Bridge Dam removal cost (Source: American Rivers and Hydropower Reform Coalition, 2023)
  • 2012: Year Consumers Energy filed the Proposed Plan and Schedule for the Retirement Study Update for FERC's review.
  • 2008: Year Consumers Energy and the Michigan Hydro Relicensing Coalition filed the Offer of Settlement related to dam retirement studies.
  • 1994: Year the Michigan Hydro Relicing Coalition was tasked with overseeing Consumers Energy's implementation of FERC license orders.

Sources:

  • Michigan Hydro Relicensing Coalition, October 13, 2025
  • Consumers Energy Proposed Plan and Schedule for License Article 205 Retirement Study Update, (P-2436, P-2447, P-2448, P-2449, P-2450, P-2451, P-2452, P-2453, P-2468, P-2580, P-2599, P-785, P-2566), filed with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, July 2, 2012.
  • Offer of Settlement regarding resolution of various issues with the Retirement Study Reports, filed with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, March 27, 2008.
  • American Rivers and Hydropower Reform Coalition, 2023. Practitioner's Guide to Hydropower Dam Removal. (Page 54/133)
  • Boardman - Ottaway: A River Reborn. (2023)
  • Michigan Hydro Relicensing Coalition Objection to Consumers Energy (Consumers) Planned Sale of Hydropower Projects (P-2436, P-2447, P-2448, P-2449, P-2450, P-2451, P-2452, P-2453, P-2468, P-2580, P-2599, P-785, P-2566), filed June 23, 2025.

Read more