Relicensing of Connecticut River Dams

Call to Action

View our full Call to Action Press Release, 10/30/2023

The Connecticut River Joint Commissions (CRJC) is tasked to plan for and guide the development of the Connecticut River Valley. We view this relicensing process, which will regulate flows in the lower Connecticut River for up to 50 years, as one of the most important actions to affect use of our public trust resource. Adhering to that responsibility the CRJC and local river subcommittees (LRS) have been participating in the relicensing process since its inception.  Three of the subcommittee regions – Wantastiquet, Mt. Ascutney, and Upper Valley – represent communities significantly affected by the dams at Vernon, Bellows Falls and Wilder.

We would like you to become engaged in the process and seriously consider what is being proposed and/or what is being omitted. While many avenues for engagement are available, CRJC provides a somewhat unique opportunity.

The CRJC and LRS seek to facilitate communication among diverse stakeholders and perspectives through its membership and public participation. Through this process of hearing from diverse speakers and experiences, and providing space for discussion and debate, the CRJC and LRS submit comments that amplify many voices. This is only possible through the participation of resident engagement, YOUR engagement. Join the LRS who will be hosting presentations and discussion on this topic at meetings over the coming year.

The first round will include presentations from the Connecticut River Conservancy (CRC) who has also participated in the relicensing process since its inception. Those discussions are scheduled for –Wantastiquet (Nov 2, 6pm), and Upper Valley (Nov 20, 6pm).  Details on how to join in person or virtually can be found at https://crjc.org/wp/events/.

To learn more about future meetings on the topic, please contact CRJC. Phone: (603) 448-1680. Email: info@crjc.org

Background

Connecticut River Joint Commissions (CRJC) are engaged in bringing local and regional concerns to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) as they consider the relicensing of five hydropower projects on the Connecticut River:

  • Wilder Dam (Wilder Project No. P-1892)
  • Bellows Falls Dam (Bellows Falls Project No. P-1855)
  • Vernon Dam (Vernon Project No. P-1904)
  • Turners Falls Dam (Turners Falls Project No. 1889), and
  • Northfield Mountain Pumped Storage Project (No. 2485).

Wilder, Bellows Fall and Vernon Dams are located in New Hampshire and Vermont, and the Turners Falls Dam and Northfield Mountain Pumped Storage Project are located in northern Massachusetts. CRJC’s interest lies with all five projects, as even the Massachusetts projects have an impact on the river in southern Vermont and New Hampshire.

FERC is using an Integrated Licensing Process that will consider all five projects as a group. The relicensing process follows a prescribed schedule, with the 30 to 40-year licenses expected.

Noteworthy Points

  • The three hydroelectric dams impound 100 miles of the lower 120 miles of the Connecticut River between New Hampshire and Vermont,
  • These facilities operated by Great River Hydro generate electricity (comprising about 130 MW in capacity); nevertheless, residents along the river pay some of the highest electrical rates in the country and more rate increases are on the horizon,
  • ArcLight-backed Great River Hydro conveyed their operating portfolio to Hydro Quebec in 2022, after owning them for only six years, for a purported windfall of nearly a billion dollars (i.e., ~$1,000,000,000)[1], and
  • Hydro Quebec is refusing to provide a Mitigation and Enhancement Fund for use and impacts on public interests (e.g., erosion, mercury, in-stream uses, economic impacts), which was a component of the licensing agreement for hydroelectric facilities on the upper portion of the Connecticut River.
  • The proposed operation, supported by state and federal agencies and a key NGO, has discharge matching inflow by maintaining a stable target elevation specific to each project, except for limited hours that reflect the seasonal sensitivity of aquatic resources.

[1] https://enerdatics.com/blog/renewable-energy-m-and-a-arclight-backed-great-river-hydro-sells-589-mw-operating-portfolio-in-new-england-to-hydro-quebec-for-2-billion/

CRJC Involvement

Connecticut River, Putney, VT
Connecticut River, Putney, VT

CRJC’s  Connecticut River Water Resources Management Plan and Recreation Management Plan, prepared and published by CRJC, articulate several issues and concerns about the impacts that hydropower operations have on the river and make recommendations for studies and improvements in hydropower operations to be considered during relicensing. CRJC is raising those concerns and recommendations as a stakeholder participant in the relicensing process.

Comment Letters to FERC

Response to Preliminary Licensing Plan Letter

Final CRJC Comments on Study Reports

CRJC Comments on March 2016 Studies

CRJC Comments on Study Plan July 15, 2013

CRJC Reply to Study Responses to Trans Canada Letter

Upper Valley local river subcommittee discussion _ 08.15.16

Wantastiquet local river subcommittee comments on fish passage settlement agreement – Aug 4, 2022

Additional Resources

FERC Publications to Help the Public Understand the Relicensing Process

Information provided by Connecticut River Conservancy – https://www.ctriver.org/our-work/hydropower/

Information provided by Great River Hydro – http://www.greatriverhydro-relicensing

Information provided by FirstLight – http://www.northfieldrelicensing.com