Pacific Gas and Electric Company Addresses Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Comments

Strategic Insights -

Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) has responded to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's (FERC) comments on the drilling program plan for Belden Forebay Dam, part of the Upper North Fork Feather River Hydroelectric Project, FERC No. 2105. The company has submitted a plan and schedule to address FERC's concerns, which include providing additional information, updating project personnel information, clarifying discrepancies between project plans, and addressing staffing issues.

Key Takeaways:

  • PG&E received FERC's comments on June 20, 2025, and has submitted a plan and schedule to address these concerns by August 15, 2025.
  • The company will provide an updated drilling program plan and responses to FERC comments (1-6) by August 15, 2025.
  • PG&E will update Table 8-1 "Summary of Key Project Personnel by Organization, Responsibility, Name and Contact Number" to include information on Mr. Rakesh Saigal, Branch Chief, with updated contact information.
  • The company will clarify the discrepancy between the projected depth of boreholes from Figure 4-3 and the summary table in Table 1A - Summary of Explorations.
  • PG&E will address the apparent discrepancy in the potential use of mud rotary drilling methods, which is not listed as a potential drill method for any of the boring listed in Table 4-3.
  • The company will reduce the number of personnel from two different companies proposed to manage the field work on site, with only Gannett Fleming staff being reviewed and approved for their proposed roles.
  • PG&E will clarify if their personnel plan includes an Instrumentation Field Lead.

Statistics:

  • FERC received PG&E's drilling program plan on an unknown date prior to June 20, 2025.
  • The company will submit an updated drilling program plan and responses to FERC comments by August 15, 2025.
  • 16 different personnel from two different companies were initially proposed to manage the field work on site.
  • 3 staff members from Gannett Fleming, Alma Luna, Cory Wallace, and Scott Savko, were initially not acceptable for their proposed roles but may assist the investigation with an approved Field Investigation Logger on-site.
  • The company will provide an updated plan and schedule to address FERC's concerns by August 15, 2025.

Sources:

  • Pacific Gas and Electric Company, Power Generation 300 Lakeside Drive Oakland, CA 94612 Mailing Address: P.O. Box 28209 Oakland, CA 94604 August 4, 2025 Via Electronic Submittal (E-File)
  • Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Division of Dam Safety and Inspections 100 First Street, Suite 2300 San Francisco, CA 94105-3084
  • Enclosure 1: Plan and Schedule for FERC Comments Regarding the Belden Forebay Drilling Program Plan