[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 34 (Tuesday, February 23, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10947-10948]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-03675]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Project No. 1121-000]


Battle Creek Hydroelectric Project; Notice of Existing Licensee's 
Notice of Intent To Not File a New License Application, and Soliciting 
Notices of Intent To File a License Application and Pre-Application 
Documents

    At least five years, but no more than five and one-half years, 
before the expiration of a license for a major water power project, the 
licensee must file with the Commission a letter that contains an 
unequivocal statement of the licensee's intent to file or not to file 
an application for a new license.\1\
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    \1\ 18 CFR 16.6(c) (2020).

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[[Page 10948]]

    If such a licensee informs the Commission that it does not intend 
to file an application for a new license, nonpower license, or 
exemption for the project, the licensee may not file an application for 
a new license, nonpower license, or exemption for the project, either 
individually or in conjunction with an entity or entities that are not 
currently licensees of the project.\2\
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    \2\ 18 CFR 16.24 (a)(1).
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    On October 23, 2020, Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E), the 
existing licensee for the Battle Creek Hydroelectric Project No. 1121, 
filed notice of its intent to not file an application for a new 
license. Therefore, pursuant to section 16.24(a)(1) of the Commission's 
regulations, PG&E may not file an application for a new license for the 
project, either individually or in conjunction with an entity or 
entities that are not currently licensees of the project.
    The 36.1-megawatt (MW) Battle Creek Hydroelectric Project is 
located on the North and South Forks of Battle Creek, a tributary to 
the Sacramento River, in Shasta and Tehama Counties, California. The 
project occupies 93 acres of federal land managed by the U.S. Forest 
Service and the Bureau of Land Management. The existing license for the 
project expires on July 31, 2026.\3\
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    \3\ Because PG&E filed the notice of intent to not file an 
application for a new license more than five and one-half years 
before the expiration of the license, we waive the applicable 
requirement in 18 CFR 16.6(c)(1).
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    The principal project works consist of: (1) Two small upstream 
storage reservoirs; (2) three forebays; (3) twenty canals and pipelines 
and associated diversion dams; (4) penstocks leading to five 
powerhouses; (5) five 60-kV transmission lines with a total length of 
50.3 miles; and (6) five substations.
    Any party interested in filing a license application (i.e., 
potential applicant) for the Battle Creek Hydroelectric Project No. 
1121 must file a Notice of Intent (NOI) \4\ and pre- application 
document (PAD).\5\ Additionally, while the integrated licensing process 
(ILP) is the default process for preparing an application for a 
subsequent license, a potential applicant may request to use 
alternative licensing procedures when it files its NOI.\6\
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    \4\ 18 CFR 5.5.
    \5\ 18 CFR 5.6.
    \6\ 18 CFR 5.3(b).
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    The deadline for potential applicants, other than the existing 
licensee, to file NOIs, PADs, and requests to use an alternative 
licensing process is 120 days from the issuance date of this notice.
    Applications for a new license from potential applicants, other 
than the existing licensee, must be filed with the Commission at least 
24 months prior to the expiration of the existing license.\7\ Because 
the existing license expires on July 31, 2026, applications for license 
for this project must be filed by July 31, 2024.
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    \7\ 18 CFR 16.9(b)(1).
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    Questions concerning this notice should be directed to Rebecca Kipp 
(202) 502- 8846 or [email protected].

    Dated: February 16, 2021.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2021-03675 Filed 2-22-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P