FERC issues Study Plan Determination – marking a new phase in relicensing work On February 13, FERC issued their formal Study Plan Determination. It is a significant milestone that moves us into the next phase of work to relicense the South Fork Tolt Hydroelectric Project. This license allows the City… [ Keep reading ]
Hydropower is the backbone of Seattle’s electricity. It has played a vital role in powering communities across the Pacific Northwest for more than a century.
City Files Revised Study Plan with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission On January 17, 2025, the City of Seattle submitted its Revised Study Plan (RSP) to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). This is a key part of the process to renew the license for the South Fork Tolt Hydroelectric… [ Keep reading ]
Deepening our collective knowledge of the South Fork Tolt On September 20, 2024, the City of Seattle (City) filed a Proposed Study Plan (PSP) with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) as required to relicense the South Fork Tolt Hydroelectric Project. Seattle Public Utilities has owned and operated the dam,… [ Keep reading ]
August 24 is National Hydropower Day! For over a century, hydropower has been a vital energy source for the Pacific Northwest and beyond. In fact, Washington is the leading producer of hydropower in the country. At Seattle City Light, we’re proud to manage an impressive hydroelectric system. Today, let’s explore… [ Keep reading ]
On May 31, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) issued their scoping document for relicensing the South Fork Tolt Hydroelectric Project. FERC uses this document to identify topics to address in their National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) analysis. The document also contains the plan and schedule for the rest of… [ Keep reading ]
The City of Seattle filed documents on April 8 with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to formally begin relicensing the South Fork Tolt Hydroelectric Project. These documents are called the Notice of Intent (NOI) and Pre-Application Document (PAD). Seattle City Light and Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) are collaborating on… [ Keep reading ]
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) license for the City’s South Fork Tolt Hydroelectric Project is up for renewal, and Seattle City Light is partnering with Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) in this multi-year relicensing project. The hydroelectric facility was built in 1995 to generate power from the South Fork Tolt… [ Keep reading ]
Mike Haynes is the assistant general manager for Seattle City Light and serves as board chair for the National Hydropower Association. As we celebrate National Hydropower Day, Mike reflects on the impact of the vital resource that powers our service area and beyond. Hydropower is the foundation of the Pacific… [ Keep reading ]
Seattle City Light continues working toward preparing to submit an application for the relicensing of the Skagit River Hydroelectric Project. Even as we move forward through the relicensing process and start the field studies that will help us be good stewards of the natural and cultural resources of the Skagit… [ Keep reading ]
