FERC Project No. 2079 - PCWA Middle Fork American River Project ...

Application for New License Middle Fork American River Project (FERC Project No. 2079)
• Meet the Combined Patterns of Water and Energy Demand—the ability to meet
the seasonal combined patterns of consumptive water demand and peak energy
demand and weekly/daily peak energy demands. To meet these combined
patterns of demand, the MFP must have:
o The ability to release water from storage for downstream delivery at all times
of the year in response to consumptive demand patterns
o The ability to vary on a daily and hourly basis, releases through Middle Fork
and Ralston powerhouses for power generation in response to changing
electrical demand, grid needs, and water supply demand
• Fall Maintenance—the ability to shutdown operations during the fall, after the
peak energy and water supply demand period and during favorable runoff and
weather conditions to perform annual maintenance.
4.1.5.2 Regulatory Requirements and Operating Agreements/Contracts
Project operations for water supply and electric power generation are constrained by
regulatory requirements; operating agreements and contracts; the physical capacities of
the Project facilities; and water availability. Refer to BA/BE Table 6 for a list of the
physical capacity of MFP facilities. Regulatory requirements affecting Project
operations include conditions imposed by the existing FERC license, and water rights
permits and license issued by the California State Water Rights Board (now the
California State Water Resources Control Board [State Water Board]). Operating
agreements/contracts affecting Project operations include conditions required in the
existing power purchase contracts with PG&E, water supply contracts, and the Water
Forum Agreement.
Regulatory Requirements
Regulatory requirements that influence MFP operations include provisions in the
existing FERC license and water rights permits and license. Each is described below.
FERC License
The MFP was constructed and operates under a 50-year license (FERC Project No.
2079) that was issued on March 13, 1963. The following discussion summarizes only
terms and conditions related to ongoing operations of the MFP (construction-related
requirements are excluded). Subsequent to issuance of the original license by FERC,
several amendments have been added, including changes to exhibits identifying MFP
facilities, the addition of Hell Hole Powerhouse, changes to original license articles,
inclusion of new license articles, and adjustments to rated generating capacity of MFP
facilities. A complete copy of the existing FERC license and amendments is available at
PCWA’s publicly accessible Internet website and at a
Resource Library, located at the PCWA Business Center, 144 Ferguson Road, Auburn,
California.
February 2011 4-26