Avista Receives New 50-Year Operating License for Spokane River Hydroelectric Project

Avista reached an important milestone in June with the issuance of a new 50-year operating license from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for the five hydroelectric developments that make up its Spokane River Project, (FERC Project No. 2545).

The new license includes a variety of measures designed to protect, mitigate and enhance natural resources connected with the river. The five hydroelectric developments include Post Falls, located in Idaho, and the Upper Falls, Monroe Street, Nine Mile and Long Lake developments, which are located in Washington.

Avista began the relicensing process in 2002 by reaching out collaboratively to hundreds of interested stakeholders. The new license conditions, in large part, reflect the work of the stakeholder groups who conducted studies, gathered information and made recommendations reflected in Avista's 2005 application.

The conditions in the new license also reflect important settlement agreements with various parties, including the Coeur d'Alene Tribe, federal, state and local natural resource and recreation management agencies, the Sierra Club and other interested groups and organizations.

"We are pleased to complete the relicensing process and look forward to continuing work with stakeholders as we begin implementing conditions of the license," said Scott Morris, Avista chairman of the board, president and chief executive officer. "This new phase in our Spokane River Project will pave the way for our continued environmental stewardship efforts that benefit the entire community and the natural resources that we all enjoy, as well as preserve renewable hydroelectric generation for the customers we serve."

Some of the new conditions that will be implemented include aesthetic flows in the downtown Spokane area, increased minimum flows from Post Falls Dam and recreation water levels on Coeur d'Alene Lake. Other conditions, such as water quality improvements in the Spokane River and Lake Spokane, enhancements to the fishery resource, wetlands mitigation and improvements to recreation facilities will occur on a timeline that is set out in the license.

Return to July 2009 Western Energy News

To sponsor Western Energy News, please contact WEI at 503 231-1994.