The Relicensing Process
Most non-Federal hydroelectric projects in the United States are operated under licenses issued by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). The Federal Power Act (FPA) gives FERC the exclusive authority to issue licenses to construct, operate, and maintain certain non-Federal hydropower projects. The relicensing process addresses not only the generation of electricity but also the natural resources that are present and which may be affected — both positively and negatively — by a project's operation. FERC is required by Federal law to consider both power and non-power issues in relicensing hydroelectric facilities.
In order to continue operating and maintaining an existing hydroelectric project, licenses must be renewed periodically. Alabama Power Company has 12 hydroelectric developments operated under licenses issued by the FERC. Some have already been relicensed by FERC; some are in the process, and others will begin the Relicensing process in the next five years.
| Project | FERC Project Number | Original License | License Expires |
| Coosa River Projects | 2146 | 1957 | July 31, 2007 |
| Mitchell Project | 82 | 1975 | July 31, 2007 |
| Warrior River Projects | 2165 | 1975 | August 31, 2007 |
| Jordan Project | 618 | 1980 | July 31, 2007 |
| Martin Project | 349 | 1970 | June 8, 2013 |
| Harris Project | 2626 | 1973 | 2023 |
| Yates and Thurlow | 2407 | 1994 | 2034 |
| Hold Project | 2203 | 1965 | July 31, 2015 |
While 2007 may seem far away, Alabama Power must complete a multi-year application process and file applications for new operating licenses with FERC by July 31, 2005 to continue generating electricity and operating the reservoirs beyond 2007. This process is called "relicensing."
Successfully completing the relicensing process will involve identifying and resolving project issues in consultation with the many Federal and State resource agencies, local and national non-governmental organizations (NGOs), home and boat owner associations, and individuals who have an interest in the projects. These entities and individuals are commonly referred to as "stakeholders."
Alabama Power Company believes the key to a successful relicensing is to balance the many benefits of the Coosa and Warrior rivers using four critical elements:
- Communication among Alabama Power Company and stakeholders
- Public involvement in the relicensing process
- Continual education process for all parties
- Commitment among Alabama Power Company and stakeholders to issue resolution
