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Independent regulatory commissions

Pacific Gas and Electric Company Requests FERC Approval for Seepage Mitigation Project at Lake Fordyce Dam

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) has submitted a request to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for approval of construction activities to be performed below elevation 6,250 feet at Lake Fordyce Dam, part of the Drum-Spaulding Hydroelectric Project. The request, dated September 11, 2025, includes a technical memorandum with details on the planned work activities and a work schedule, which are provided in an enclosure. PG&E has committed to submitting for FERC approval any construction activities to be performed after October 1 of each year of construction, as stated in their letter to FERC on February 23, 2021.

Key Takeaways:

  • PG&E is requesting FERC authorization for construction activities to be performed below elevation 6,250 feet at Lake Fordyce Dam, as part of the Drum-Spaulding Hydroelectric Project.
  • The seepage mitigation project and a rockfill cofferdam were authorized in letters dated June 3, 2021, and March 12, 2024, respectively.
  • A technical memorandum and work schedule are provided in Enclosure 1 for FERC review and approval.
  • Lacy Cannon, dam safety engineer for PG&E, can be contacted at (530) 205-5404 for technical questions, while Sonja Langan, senior license coordinator for PG&E, can be contacted at (209) 419-0019 for general questions.
  • PG&E committed to submitting for FERC approval any construction activities to be performed after October 1 of each year of construction in their letter to FERC on February 23, 2021.

Statistics:

  • The construction activities to be performed below elevation 6,250 feet at Lake Fordyce Dam are part of the DruSpaulding Hydroelectric Project, FERC No. 2310.
  • The seepage mitigation project was authorized in a letter dated June 3, 2021.
  • The rockfill cofferdam was authorized in a letter dated March 12, 2024.
  • The technical memorandum and work schedule are provided in Enclosure 1 for FERC review and approval.
  • PG&E's commitment to submitting for FERC approval any construction activities to be performed after October 1 of each year of construction was made in their letter to FERC on February 23, 2021.

Sources:

  • Pacific Gas and Electric Company. (2021, February 23). Letter to FERC authorizing seepage mitigation project, FERC No. 2310.
  • Pacific Gas and Electric Company. (2021, June 3). Letter to FERC authorizing rockfill cofferdam, FERC No. 2310.
  • Pacific Gas and Electric Company. (2024, March 12). Letter to FERC authorizing rockfill cofferdam, FERC No. 2310.
  • Pacific Gas and Electric Company. (2025, September 5). Seepage Mitigation Project Request for Approval - Work Below Elevation 6,250 Feet and Beyond October 1, prepared by PG&E and dated September 5, 2025.

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