[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 106 (Friday, May 31, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Page 47150]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-11996]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Project No. 2666-055]


Black Bear Hydro Partners, LLC; Notice of Intent To File License 
Application, Filing of Pre-Application Document, and Approving Use of 
the Traditional Licensing Process

    a. Type of Filing: Notice of Intent to File License Application and 
Request to Use the Traditional Licensing Process.
    b. Project No.: 2666-055.
    c. Date Filed: March 28, 2024.
    d. Submitted By: Black Bear Hydro Partners, LLC (Black Bear Hydro).
    e. Name of Project: Medway Hydroelectric Project.
    f. Location: On the West Branch of the Penobscot River, in 
Penobscot County, Maine.
    g. Filed Pursuant to: 18 CFR 5.3 and 5.5 of the Commission's 
regulations.
    h. Potential Applicant Contact: Mike Scarzello, Licensing Manager, 
Brookfield Renewable, 399 Big Bay Road, Queensbury, NY 12804; (315) 
566-0197; email at [email protected].
    i. FERC Contact: Allan Creamer at (202) 502-8365; or email at 
[email protected].
    j. Black Bear Hydro filed its request to use the Traditional 
Licensing Process on March 28, 2024. Black Bear Hydro provided public 
notice of its request on April 2, 2024. In a letter dated May 24, 2024, 
the Director of the Division of Hydropower Licensing approved Black 
Bear Hydro's request to use the Traditional Licensing Process.
    k. With this notice, we are initiating informal consultation with 
the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and/or the National Marine Fisheries 
Service under section 7 of the Endangered Species Act and the joint 
agency regulations thereunder at 50 CFR part 402. We are also 
initiating consultation with the Maine State Historic Preservation 
Officer, as required by section 106, National Historical Preservation 
Act, and the implementing regulations of the Advisory Council on 
Historic Preservation at 36 CFR 800.2.
    l. With this notice, we are designating Black Bear Hydro as the 
Commission's non-Federal representative for carrying out informal 
consultation, pursuant to section 7 of the Endangered Species Act and 
section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act.
    m. Black Bear Hydro filed a Pre-Application Document (PAD; 
including a proposed process plan and schedule) with the Commission, 
pursuant to 18 CFR 5.6 of the Commission's regulations.
    n. A copy of the PAD may be viewed and/or printed on the 
Commission's website (http://www.ferc.gov), using the ``eLibrary'' 
link. Enter the docket number, excluding the last three digits in the 
docket number field to access the document. For assistance, contact 
FERC Online Support at [email protected], (886) 208-3676 (toll 
free), or (202) 502-8659 (TTY).
    You may register online at http://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/esubscription.asp to be notified via email of new filing and issuances 
related to this or other pending projects. For assistance, contact FERC 
Online Support.
    o. The licensee states its unequivocal intent to submit an 
application for a new license for Project No. 2666. Pursuant to 18 CFR 
16.20, each application for a new license and any competing license 
applications must be filed with the Commission at least 24 months prior 
to the expiration of the existing license. All applications for license 
for this project must be filed by March 31, 2027.
    p. The Commission's Office of Public Participation (OPP) supports 
meaningful public engagement and participation in Commission 
proceedings. OPP can help members of the public, including landowners, 
environmental justice communities, Tribal members, and others, access 
publicly available information and navigate Commission processes. For 
public inquiries and assistance with making filings such as 
interventions, comments, or requests for rehearing, the public is 
encouraged to contact OPP at (202) 502-6595, or [email protected].

    Dated: May 24, 2024.
Debbie-Anne A. Reese,
Acting Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2024-11996 Filed 5-30-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P