Hydropower

Washington Ecology Seeks Comment On Draft Dam Safety Policy and Interpretive Statement

Washington is consolidating 27 dam safety policies into a single interpretive statement to clarify regulatory expectations for infrastructure jurisdiction and emergency planning. The unified framework streamlines compliance for dam owners and engineers by standardizing inspection, permitting, and hazard classification protocols.

3 Apr 2026, 18:22apps.ecology.wa.govUnited States

Austria Maps River Renaturation Targets For EU Nature Restoration Regulation In WISA "Free Flowing Rivers" Atlas

Austria has launched the WISA Free Flowing Rivers atlas to identify priority zones for barrier removal and river restoration under the EU Nature Restoration Regulation. Infrastructure operators in the energy and water sectors should use this mapping to assess site-specific regulatory risks and anticipate future ecological permit requirements.

28 Mar 2026, 09:01maps.wisa.bmluk.gv.atAustriaEuropean Union

US FERC Sets One-Year Deadline for West Virginia Section 401 Water Quality Certification on Ohio Power and Light Project

FERC has established a firm November 2026 deadline for West Virginia to act on the Clean Water Act Section 401 certification for the Ohio Power and Light project. This timeline enforces regulatory certainty by triggering an automatic waiver of state certification if missed, preventing potential administrative delays for energy infrastructure development.

27 Mar 2026, 18:18federalregister.govUnited States

US FERC Seeks Comment On Barker Mill Upper Hydroelectric License Application (P-3562-026)

FERC has initiated the environmental review and public comment phase for the Barker Mill Upper Hydroelectric Project license renewal in Maine. This stage will formalize operational mandates for fish passage and water management, determining the project's long-term regulatory compliance costs and environmental obligations.

27 Mar 2026, 18:18public-inspection.federalregister.govUnited States

Finland Chemical Industry Position Paper on Electricity Markets and Competitiveness

Finland's chemical industry has released strategic priorities for electricity market reform ahead of the 2026 EU Electrification Action Plan. This advocacy signals a push for low-emission baseload power and competitive grid pricing to protect industrial margins during the energy transition.

12 Mar 2026, 09:51kemianteollisuus.fiFinlandEuropean Union

China MOFCOM Publishes 11 Industry Standards on E-Commerce Packaging, Recycling and Digital Trade (Announcement 2026 No. 5)

China has implemented 11 industry standards covering green packaging, recycling infrastructure, and digital trade identifiers. Impacted businesses must align e-commerce packaging and digital labeling practices with these new technical requirements to ensure continued market access.

11 Mar 2026, 16:36hbba.sacinfo.org.cnChina

Norway NVE Initiates New Concession-Requirement Assessment for Nedre Fiskumfoss Hydropower Plant

Norway's NVE has initiated a new licensing assessment for the Nedre Fiskumfoss hydropower plant following evidence of persistent environmental damage to wild salmon. This signals increased regulatory scrutiny of existing hydropower exemptions and underscores the risk of retroactive licensing requirements for infrastructure impacting protected ecosystems.

11 Mar 2026, 12:54nve.noNorway

US FERC Seeks Comments on Pelican Hydroelectric Project Environmental Analysis

FERC has initiated the environmental analysis phase for the Pelican Hydroelectric Project relicensing, setting a May 2026 deadline for stakeholder input and water quality certifications. This represents a critical opportunity for stakeholders to influence the environmental mitigation requirements and operational conditions that will define the project's long-term compliance framework.

9 Mar 2026, 18:31federalregister.govUnited States

US FERC Opens Environmental Review and Comment Period for Bad Creek Pumped Storage Project License Application

Federal regulators have launched the formal environmental review and public comment period for a major expansion of regional pumped storage hydropower capacity. This proceeding will establish the long-term operational and environmental compliance framework for critical energy storage assets, requiring proactive engagement to influence permit conditions.

9 Mar 2026, 17:57federalregister.govUnited States

GB Sets Feed-In Tariffs (FITs) Year 17 Administrative Determinations (1 April 2026 To 31 March 2027)

The UK government has finalized administrative parameters for Feed-in Tariffs Year 17, setting export values and cost recovery thresholds effective from April 2026. Energy suppliers and generators must integrate these updated financial determinations into their 2026-27 compliance planning and cost recovery projections.

4 Mar 2026, 15:23assets.publishing.service.gov.ukUnited Kingdom

US FERC Proposes NEPA Categorical Exclusion for Certain Water Power License Terminations and Revocations

US federal regulators proposed expanding environmental review exclusions to streamline the termination of hydropower licenses for projects with minimal ecological impact. This procedural shift will accelerate administrative exits for inactive projects by reducing the regulatory burden and time required for environmental assessments in low-risk scenarios.

27 Feb 2026, 14:52federalregister.govUnited States

US FERC Issues Waiver Notice for CWA Section 401 Certification for Erie Boulevard Hydropower Project

FERC has issued a waiver for Clean Water Act water quality certification after the New York state regulator failed to act within the mandatory one-year review period. This action reinforces the strict application of federal permitting deadlines, offering a clear pathway for project developers to bypass state-level administrative delays in infrastructure licensing.

27 Feb 2026, 14:51federalregister.govUnited States

US FERC Plans Environmental Assessment for PacifiCorp Klamath Hydroelectric Project

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has initiated an environmental assessment for the decommissioning of the Fall Creek hydroelectric facility, with a target issuance date of April 15, 2026. This transition from power generation to municipal water supply infrastructure highlights a regional shift toward asset divestment and resource repurposing that requires careful monitoring for environmental and operational compliance risks.

27 Feb 2026, 14:51federalregister.govUnited States

US FERC Adopts TVA NEPA Categorical Exclusions for Water Power Projects

FERC has adopted five new NEPA categorical exclusions for water power projects effective March 2026 to streamline environmental reviews. This shift allows operators to bypass lengthy environmental assessments for routine infrastructure upgrades, significantly accelerating project timelines and reducing regulatory costs.

27 Feb 2026, 14:51federalregister.govUnited States

US FERC To Prepare Environmental Assessment for Greenup Hydroelectric Project Relicensing (Project No. 2614-042)

The US FERC has commenced an Environmental Assessment for the relicensing of the Greenup Hydroelectric Project, targeting issuance by November 2026. This procedural path indicates that significant environmental impacts are not anticipated, supporting a streamlined regulatory timeline for continued power generation operations.

25 Feb 2026, 19:23federalregister.govUnited States

US FERC Seeks Comment on Environmental Assessment for Ampersand Hollow Dam Hydro Project Surrender

FERC has issued an Environmental Assessment for the decommissioning of the Hollow Dam Hydroelectric Project with public comments accepted until March 16 2026. The finding of no significant impact suggests a low-friction regulatory path for retiring legacy energy assets when structural footprints remain largely intact.

24 Feb 2026, 19:21federalregister.govUnited States

California SWRCB Proposes Section 401 Water Quality Certification for USACE Energy Emergency Regional General Permit

California is proposing a general water quality certification to streamline permitting for energy and critical minerals infrastructure projects under a federal energy emergency declaration. Operators should evaluate the proposed conditions and activity exclusions to ensure that emergency expansion or maintenance projects remain eligible for expedited state approval.

23 Feb 2026, 20:01content.govdelivery.comUnited States

US House Introduces Rural Jobs and Hydropower Expansion Act (H.R. 7487)

US House legislation introduced in February 2026 seeks to expand non-federal hydropower development across all Bureau of Reclamation facilities. The bill aims to unlock renewable energy investment by streamlining permitting processes and clarifying jurisdictional oversight between federal agencies.

23 Feb 2026, 19:10govinfo.govUnited States

US FERC Plans Environmental Assessment and 30-Day Comment Period for French Landing Hydroelectric Relicensing

FERC has scheduled the Environmental Assessment for the French Landing Hydroelectric Project relicensing for late 2026, initiating a formal review of its long-term operational impact. This process highlights the rigorous environmental scrutiny applied to aging energy infrastructure and provides a critical window for stakeholders to influence future licensing and compliance conditions.

18 Feb 2026, 20:51public-inspection.federalregister.govUnited States

India Environment Ministry Panel Recommends Conditional Clearance for Kamala Hydroelectric Project in Arunachal Pradesh

India's environment ministry has recommended conditional clearance for a major 1,720 MW hydroelectric project involving the felling of over two million trees. The use of inter-state compensatory afforestation and high-conservation forest diversion signals increasing land-use complexity and heightened environmental scrutiny for large-scale energy infrastructure.

18 Feb 2026, 19:31indianexpress.comIndia