Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is a hydroelectric license?
According to the Federal Power Act of 1920, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has exclusive authority to license all non-federal hydroelectric projects located on navigable waterways or federal lands. New licenses are normally issued for a period of 30 to 50 years.
2. What is the Baker River Project Relicense?
Puget Sound Energy filed an application with FERC for a new license to operate the Baker River Hydroelectric Project. The utility's current 50-year license expires in April 2006. The relicensing process requires years of extensive planning — including environmental studies, agency consensus and public involvement. Accordingly, since early 2000 PSE has worked closely with the public and many different parties interested in the project to ensure that all issues and concerns related to the project are identified and discussed. These include fisheries, wildlife, historical and cultural interests. We are pleased to be following a relatively new process for the relicense, called "alternative licensing procedures," (ALP). The ALP enables us to consult with interested parties from the very beginning of the licensing process rather than following the more traditional approach of involving interested groups farther into the effort.
3. Why are we relicensing the project?
Combined, PSE's company-owned generating plants produce about a quarter of the electricity used by our customers. The Baker River Hydroelectric Project is an important part of this mix, producing enough low-cost, clean and renewable power to serve about 59,400 homes.
4. What does the project currently consist of?
The Baker River Project consists of two dams and powerhouses on the Baker River near Concrete, Wash. The Lower Baker Development, built in 1925, is located about a half mile north of Concrete, upstream from the convergence of the Baker and Skagit rivers. Lake Shannon is a 7-mile-long reservoir formed by the 285-foot Lower Baker Dam.
The Upper Baker Development was built in 1959, and is located on the Baker river about eight miles north of Concrete. A nine-mile-long reservoir called Baker Lake is located behind Upper Baker Dam. This dam is 312 feet high and 1,200 feet across.
Combined, the two hydroelectric facilities have the capacity to produce 175 megawatts of electricity – enough to serve about 72,000 homes.
5. What does the project currently offer?
While the Lake Shannon and Baker Lake reservoirs are operated primarily for the generation of electricity, they also provide flood control in the agricultural areas of the Skagit River valley. In addition, the reservoirs and surrounding area provide habitat for wildlife, including bald eagles, waterfowl and osprey, and offer opportunities for such recreational activities as camping, fishing and boating. For years, PSE has conducted a number of fisheries and wildlife enhancement programs at the project.
6. What issues are being studied as part of the license?
Since March 2000, members of six separate working groups have met monthly to focus on key facets, or "resources" of the Baker River Project. These are fish, terrestrial/wildlife, recreation/aesthetics, cultural/historical, and economics/project operations. Each group is examining available information about the resource, gathering additional data, and preparing recommendations for the new license.
7. Who is currently participating on the working groups and other aspects of the relicense effort?
The relicense working groups are comprised of representatives from both governmental agencies and private organizations with specific interests in the Baker River Project. In addition, a representative of every project interest sits on the Baker Solution Team. The Solution Team will ultimately consider recommendations from the working groups and decide on the proposals to be included in the license application. While many are involved with the relicensing effort, the list includes the following organizations:
Environmental Protection Agency
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
National Marine Fisheries Service
National Park Service
North Cascades Conservation Council
North Cascades Institute
Office of Archaeology and Historic Preservation
Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation
Skagit Fisheries Enhancement Group
Skagit System Cooperative
United States Army Crops of Engineers
United States Forest Service
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
Washington Department of Ecology
8. How can I stay informed?
Since PSE first announced its intentions to relicense the Baker River Project, the company has pursued a collaborative relicense process that enables members of the public to learn about the project, and encourages on-going participation among government and resource agencies, community groups and local residents who have interests related directly to the project. For the general public, the relicense effort includes periodic public meetings and project tours, and informational pieces including a project video, updates on this web site, and media updates. Individuals, groups and government agencies more directly involved in the process are participating on one or more of five separate working groups listed above.
We encourage anyone who is interested in the relicensing process to participate in a number of different ways:
- Sign up for the Relicensing Mailing List: Organizations and individuals on the mailing list will be notified of public meetings and other special events.
- Attend Meetings and Events: The Baker River Project relicensing process will include various public meetings and other opportunities for input from all interested parties.
- Submit Questions and Comments: Whether you have questions or comments, we would like to her from you throughout the relicensing process.