FERC lets Pelican keep running its hydro plant while a new license is pending

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has issued the City of Pelican an annual license to keep operating its 0.7-megawatt hydroelectric project on Pelican Creek, after the project's federal license expired Sept. 16.

The annual license, effective Sept. 17, lets the plant keep running while the city's application for a new license is pending. It runs through Sept. 16, 2027, or until a new license is issued, according to the commission's notice, signed Oct. 27 and scheduled for publication in the Federal Register on Oct. 30. If no new license is issued by Oct. 16, 2027, the annual license renews automatically without further order or notice unless the commission orders otherwise, the notice said.

The city filed for a new license on Sept. 16, 2024. FERC opened a comment period in January on what environmental issues its review should cover and said in March that the application was ready for environmental analysis.

In May, FERC staff said they do not expect licensing the project to significantly affect the environment, so they plan to prepare an environmental assessment rather than an environmental impact statement. The notice of intent targets Jan. 29, 2027, for issuing that assessment, which will inform the commission's decision on a new license.

The project includes a rock-filled crib dam 12 feet wide and 22 feet high, holding about 4.4 acre-feet of water, and a powerhouse with two generating units rated at 600 and 100 kilowatts. The city proposes to continue run-of-river operation, meaning the plant uses the creek's natural flow rather than storing water behind the dam. The project does not occupy federal land.

The Alaska Energy Authority also lists the project for a $650,474 Renewable Energy Fund award for relicensing, restoration and repair.