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In-Depth | Structure | Communications Procedures | Timeline/Schedule |
Governing Laws and Authorities | SMUD Team
Process Overview
When the initial term of a hydroelectric license expires (generally after 50 years) a relicensing process is undertaken to evaluate the developmental and non-developmental values of the project. This process is governed by a complex set of laws and regulations that, in total, require multiple years of planning, including environmental studies, agency consultation and public involvement. The present license (FERC No. 2101) for the UARP expires in 2007, and SMUD is undergoing a relicensing process.
The Sacramento Municipal Utility District is dedicated to attaining a
new license for the UARP that will enable the District to operate the
project for a second license term - up to as many as 50 years into the
future. SMUD's primary goal is to provide affordable, reliable electrical
power to the customer-owners within its service territory. SMUD also
recognizes that the privilege of being a licensee carries with it the
responsibility to operate the project responsibly in order to protect
environmental resources and the watershed lands affected by the project.
These dual responsibilities, and the balancing inherent in addressing
both, form the foundation for our relicensing mission:
"The Sacramento Municipal Utility District commits to relicensing the Upper American River Project in a manner that optimizes operational flexibility, system reliability and economical generation while protecting the environment through a process that provides for active stakeholder participation."
Relicensing typically involves input from a number of federal and state resource agencies. To enhance the likelihood of a successful relicensing, SMUD encouraged all interested agencies, Native American tribes, local governments, non-governmental organizations, community groups, customer-owners and citizens to participate in the development of SMUD's application for a new license.