Hydro Relicensing

Most non-Federal hydroelectric developments in the United States operate under licenses issued by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). Alabama Power Company has fourteen hydroelectric developments on the Warrior, Coosa and Tallapoosa rivers. These developments produce 1,600 megawatts of electricity and represent over eight percent of Alabama Power's generation.

In order to continue operating and maintaining an existing hydroelectric development, licenses must be renewed periodically. The relicensing process addresses power generation, natural resources, recreation, and aesthetics at these developments, and allows federal, state and local resource agencies, non-governmental organizations, citizens' groups, Indian tribes, and other stakeholders to participate in the process.

FERC issues operating licenses for its hydropower developments for a period of from 30 to 50 years. Learn more about FERC and hydro licensing at www.ferc.gov.

Currently, Alabama Power Company has nine of its fourteen developments in some stage of FERC's relicensing process. These developments include: Holt on the Warrior River; Weiss, Neely Henry, Logan Martin, Lay, Mitchell, Bouldin and Jordan on the Coosa River; and Martin on the Tallapoosa River.

The licenses for the Coosa developments expired in 2007. To continue operating these hydro developments, Alabama Power filed an application for a new license with FERC on July 27, 2005. Alabama Power is currently operating the developments under an annual license until the new license is issued. The Martin license expires in 2013. To continue operating the Martin development, Alabama Power must file an application with FERC by June 8, 2011. The license for the Holt development expires in 2015. To continue operating the Holt development, Alabama Power must file an application with FERC by August 30, 2013.

The links on the left provide additional detail on the respective processes for each development. These links also contain important documents prepared by Alabama Power for the relicensing process.