Update on Nine Hydropower Relicensing Cases at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
Gao ID: RCED-85-131 May 28, 1985Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the status of nine Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) hydropower relicensing cases involving competing applications for a license, including whether: (1) any additional amendments to license applications had been submitted; (2) any licenses had been issued in the nine cases; and (3) the original licensee had amended its application.
GAO noted that many of the licenses originally issued to privately owned utilities had expired, and the utilities have applied for relicensing. However, a new license is not automatic and is subject to competition. GAO found that: (1) no additional amendments to the applications have been submitted for the nine cases; (2) only the original licensee has resubmitted a new application; and (3) FERC has not issued licenses in any of the nine cases.