WSHPDR_2013_Final_Report-updated_version

Table 2
Eligibility criteria for hydropower under the Renewable Portfolio Standard in the United States of America
State
Hydropower Renewable Portfolio Standard
Arizona
New hydropower (2006 and thereafter) is limited to 10 MW or less and may not require new dams. Incremental additional
production at existing facilities (pre-1997) and hydro that balances intermittent renewables is also eligible.
California
In general, an eligible facility may not cause an adverse impact on instream beneficial uses or cause a change in the volume
or timing of streamflow (exception for Fish Protection Act (FPA) license conditions). Eligible hydro includes:Small
hydropower: Existing facilities (before 1 January 2006) of 30 MW or less under contract to a retail seller or municipal utility
as of 1 January 2006 . New facilities (after 1 January 2006) of 30 MW or less, limit increased to 40 MW for a facility that is
"part of a water supply or conveyance system". Conduit hydropower: Must use an existing pipe, ditch, flume, etc. Limits and
existing or new distinctions are basically the same as for small hydropower above but do not contain existing contract
requirements and additional details exist for conduit hydro in conjunction with a larger hydro facility.
Incremental output/efficiency upgrades: Allowed without any capacity limit for facilities owned by a retail seller or municipal
utility, in existence as of 1 January 2007, and improvements are made on or after 1 January 2008.
Colorado
Existing (as of 1 January 2005) must be 30 MW or less. New hydro must be 10 MW or less.
Connecticut Only new (1 July 2003) run-of-river hydro of 5 MW or less. Must also be low-Impact hydropower.
Delaware
30 MW or less; must meet Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) standards
including Low-Impact Hydro standards.
Washington D.C. No pumped-storage hydropower.
Hawaii
Hydropower is defined as ‘falling water’ without any clarification. All hydropower would presumably be eligible.
Illinois
No new dams; otherwise no specific size or other restrictions.
Iowa
Only ‘small’ facilities, but no explicit capacity limit. No hydropower is currently included in utilities designated capacities.
Kansas
Existing hydropower (as of 27 May 2009); new hydropower with a nameplate capacity of 10 MW or less.
Maine
Must be 100 MW or less and must meet all state’s and federal’s fish passage requirements.
Maryland
Less than 30 MW and there is a dam in operation as of 2004, otherwise no new dams may be built.
Massachusetts New power facilities must meet environmental standards and be 25 MW or less. No new dams are eligible, but new
production or incremental additions at existing dams is eligible. Pumped storage facilities are not eligible.
Existing hydro facilities (12/31/1997) must meet environmental standards and be 5 MW or less. Pumped storage facilities are
not eligible.
Michigan
Existing traditional; new run-of-river would appear to be eligible but no new dams. No size restrictions on otherwise eligible
facilities.
Minnesota Must be 100 MW or less.
Montana
Currently no new dams or diversions and hydropower must be 10 MW or less, except a facility up to 15 MW installed at an
existing resevoir or irrigation system that did not have hydropower generation as of 16 April 2009 is eligible.
Nevada
Must be 30 MW or less. For any water impoundment, the dam must have been in existence as of 1 January 2003 and the
water in a reservoir must be used exclusively for irrigation. No new impoundments or diversions are permitted.
New Hampshire New renewable energy incremental production at existing facilities only; no explicit size limits but the implication would be
that no new dams or impoundments are permitted.
The existing small hydropower: includes only facilities placed in service prior to 1 January 2006 and facilities having met state
water quality standards applicable to hydropower projects. Facilities may either be: (1) 5 MW or less and incorporate
upstream and downstream diadromous fish passages approved by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), or (2) 1
MW or less, connected to the distribution system in New Hampshire, and meet applicable FERC fish passage restoration
requirements.
New Jersey Must be 30 MW or less; no apparent restrictions on new dams, but must meet Department of Environmental Protection
(DEP) environmental standards and minimize any impacts to the environment and to the local communities. Facilities must
be located in a place where retail competition is permitted.
New Mexico No detailed definition, but hydropower must be placed in service after 1 July 2007.
New York
The main requirements are:
- No new dams or impoundments but upgrades eligible.
- Any run-of-river up to 30 MW that meets low-impact criteria is eligible.
Existing small hydropower: No apparent limitations on existing hydropower resources. However, in order to be eligible for
financial support through the Maintenance Resources Program, a facility must be 5 MW or less, run-of-river type.
North Carolina Must be 10 MW or less; new or existing facilities are eligible (primary RPS).
Ohio
Significant environmental restrictions, but no size limits or limits on new dams or vintage.
Oregon
For pre-1995 facilities, eligibility includes post-1994 efficiency upgrades and low-impact hydro up to 50 MW per utility per
year for utility-owned facilities. For non-utility owned, post-1994 facilities, up to 40 MW of low-impact hydro located in
Oregon that is licensed by FERC or exempt from FERC licensing requirements is eligible. For post-1994 facilities, it includes
only efficiency upgrades that meet certain geographic and environmental requirements.
Pennsylvania Generally hydropower facilities must be low-impact and must meet other environmental requirements, but no apparent
requirements on size or limitations have been given. Supplementing this is a separate statute listing certain other low-impact
hydropower facilities that qualify as Tier I. One portion of this lists a maximum capacity of 21 MW and a pre-1984 FERC
license requirement.
Rhode Island 30 MW or less; no new impoundments.
Texas No restrictions. Double credit only for facilities certified after 1 September 2005.
Washington Facility efficiency improvements after 31 March1999 and no new diversions or impoundments.
Wisconsin
All hydropower facilities of less than 60 MW are eligible.
Source: U.S. Department of Energy, Database for State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency 2
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