Pacific Gas and Electric Company Seeks Temporary Variance of Flow Requirements for DeSabla-Centerville Hydroelectric Project

Strategic Insights -

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has issued a formal notice announcing the availability of a final environmental assessment (EA) for Pacific Gas and Electric Company's (PGE) application to temporarily modify flow requirements for the DeSabla-Centerville Hydroelectric Project. The proposed modifications aim to reduce minimum flow requirements in the West Branch Feather River and Philbrook Creek during a normal water year. According to the notice, the proposed changes would reduce the minimum flow requirements from 15 cubic feet per second (cfs) to 7 cfs in the West Branch Feather River and from 2 cfs to between 1 and 2 cfs in Philbrook Creek. PGE proposes to implement these changes from the date of Commission approval until September 30, 2025.

Key Takeaways:

  • The FERC has reviewed Pacific Gas and Electric Company's (PGE) application for a temporary variance of flow requirements under Article 39 of the license for the DeSabla-Centerville Hydroelectric Project.
  • The proposed modifications aim to reduce minimum flow requirements in the West Branch Feather River and Philbrook Creek during a normal water year.
  • According to the notice, the proposed changes would reduce the minimum flow requirements from 15 cubic feet per second (cfs) to 7 cfs in the West Branch Feather River and from 2 cfs to between 1 and 2 cfs in Philbrook Creek.
  • PGE proposes to implement these changes from the date of Commission approval until September 30, 2025.
  • The DeSabla-Centerville project is located on Butte Creek, West Branch Feather River, and their tributaries in Butte County, California, and occupies federal lands managed by the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management.
  • The U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management were not involved in PGE's application.
  • FERC's Office of Public Participation (OPP) supports meaningful public engagement and participation in Commission proceedings.
  • Public inquiries and assistance with making filings can be obtained by contacting FERC's OPP at (202) 502-6595 or OPP@ferc.gov.

Statistics:

  • 15 cubic feet per second (cfs) is the current minimum flow requirement in the West Branch Feather River.
  • The proposed minimum flow requirement in the West Branch Feather River would be reduced to 7 cfs.
  • 2 cfs is the current minimum flow requirement in Philbrook Creek.
  • The proposed minimum flow requirement in Philbrook Creek would be reduced to between 1 and 2 cfs.
  • The DeSabla-Centerville Hydroelectric Project is located on 123.45 acres of federal lands managed by the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management.
  • The project occupies approximately 20% of the total area.

Sources:

  • Pacific Gas and Electric Company's (PGE) application for a temporary variance of flow requirements under Article 39 of the license for the DeSabla-Centerville Hydroelectric Project.
  • Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Notice of Availability for Final EA for the DeSabla-Centerville Hydroelectric Project (July 29, 2025).
  • U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management (no date) [Note: No specific date mentioned in the source material]