Pacific Gas and Electric Company Addresses FERC Comments on Drilling Program Plan for Belden Forebay Dam

Strategic Insights -

Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) has submitted a report to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) regarding the completion of their efforts to address FERC's comments on the drilling program plan (DPP) for Belden Forebay Dam, a part of PG&E's Upper North Fork Feather River Hydroelectric Project. The report, dated September 18, 2025, includes PG&E's responses to FERC's comments, along with the drilling program plan and geotechnical investigation from GFT Infrastructure. PG&E has reviewed the consultants' report and concurs with the information presented, believing that Comments 1 and 2 have been satisfactorily addressed.

Key Takeaways:

  • PG&E has completed their efforts to address FERC's comments on the drilling program plan (DPP) for Belden Forebay Dam.
  • The DPP was prepared by GFT Infrastructure and dated September 11, 2025.
  • PG&E has reviewed the consultants' report and concurs with the information presented.
  • PG&E believes that Comments 1 and 2 have been satisfactorily addressed based on the information enclosed with the letter.
  • The issues addressed by PG&E include drilling program plan for spillway replacement and geotechnical investigation and laboratory testing.
  • PG&E has provided contact information for technical and general questions, including Chris Duffey, dam safety engineer, and Andrew Garcia, license coordinator.

Statistics:

  • The drilling program plan for Belden Forebay Dam was prepared by GFT Infrastructure and dated September 11, 2025.
  • Comments 1 and 2 were satisfactorily addressed by PG&E based on the information enclosed with the letter.
  • PG&E's responses to FERC's comments include the drilling program plan and geotechnical investigation from GFT Infrastructure.

Sources:

  • PG&E, "Drilling Program Plan - Geotechnical Investigation and Laboratory Testing - Rev. 2A", dated September 11, 2025.
  • FERC, "Comment Letter", dated September 9, 2025 (attached).
  • Enclosure 1: Summaries and Conclusions for FERC Comments Regarding Drilling Program Plan for Spillway Replacement.
  • Enclosure 2: Drilling Program Plan - Geotechnical Investigation and Laboratory Testing - Rev. 2A, prepared by GFT Infrastructure.
  • Email from Martin Janolo, Area Engineer, Department of Water Resources Division of Safety of Dams, dated September 18, 2025.