FERC Publishes Draft Environmental Impact Statements for Five Hydropower Facilities

Vernon Dam on the Connecticut River in VT/NH.

The Comment Period for Draft Environmental Impact Statements Are Open!

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has released two separate Draft Environmental Impact Statements (DEIS) for the five hydropower facilities on the Connecticut River that are currently undergoing relicensing. This process is unfolding as the Connecticut River Conservancy has filed legal challenges for the Water Quality Certifications issued by Massachusetts, Vermont, and New Hampshire.

Environmental Impact Statements are required under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). NEPA was signed into law on January 1, 1970 and requires federal agencies to assess and evaluate the environmental and related social and economic effects of their proposed actions prior to making decisions.

The DEIS contains FERC’s analysis of Great River Hydro and FirstLight's proposals and the alternatives for relicensing the Wilder (P-1892), Bellows Falls (P-1855), Vernon (P-1904), Northfield Mountain Pumped Storage (P-2485), and Turners Falls (P-1889) projects. The DEIS documents the views of governmental agencies, non-governmental organizations, affected Native-American tribes, the public, the license applicant(s), and Commission staff.

The Environmental Impact Statement is the last major step in the relicensing process. 

Here is a webinar recording from 7/3/25 to share more about this. Please note, the comment deadline has since been extended to August 28th, 2025.

This DEIS reviews the effects of continued project operation and recommends conditions for any licenses that may be issued for the projects. In addition to the applicant’s proposal, the draft EIS considers three alternatives for each project: (1) no action, meaning the project would continue to be operated as it currently is with no changes; (2) the applicant’s proposal with staff modifications (staff alternative); and (3) the staff alternative with all mandatory conditions.

In the DEIS, Commission staff recommend relicensing the projects under the Staff Alternative, which includes most of the applicants’ proposed measures, as well as certain mandatory conditions and recommendations made by state and federal agencies and some staff-recommended modifications to further minimize project-related effects on shoreline erosion, aquatic and terrestrial resources, threatened and endangered species, recreation, and cultural resources.

Draft DEIS for Great River Hydro Projects

Historic Sign at the Bellows Falls Dam.

FERC released a DEIS which examines the environmental impact of Wilder, Bellows Falls and Vernon facilities in VT and NH. In this DEIS, FERC staff identify the primary issues to be: 

1. Shoreline erosion along the Connecticut River

2. Water quantity, including how the volume of peaking flows and magnitude of water surface fluctuations in the Connecticut River affect aquatic habitat and recreation access

3. Fish passage

4. Protection of threatened and endangered species

5. Protection of cultural resources

In addition to or in lieu of sending written comments, you can attend an in-person public comment session that will be held to receive comments on the draft EIS.  The primary goal of these comment sessions is to have you identify the specific environmental issues and concerns with the DEIS. Although there will not be a formal presentation, Commission staff will be available throughout the comment session to answer your questions about the environmental review process.  

In-Person Public Comment Sessions

July 17, 2025

Session A: 1pm - 3pm

Session B: 6pm - 8pm

Bellows Falls Opera House

7 Village Square

Bellows Falls, VT 05101

You can read the Great River Hydro DEIS here.

Draft DEIS for FirstLight Projects

Turners Falls Dam in Turners Falls, MA.

FERC released a draft EIS which examines the environmental impact of Northfield Mountain Pumped Storage and Turners Falls facilities in MA, NH and VT. In this draft EIS, FERC staff identify the primary issues to be: 

1. Shoreline erosion along the Connecticut River

2. Water quantity, including how the volume of peaking flows and magnitude of water surface fluctuations in the Connecticut River affect aquatic habitat and recreation access

3. Fish passage

4. Protection of threatened and endangered species

5. Protection of cultural resources

In addition to or in lieu of sending written comments, you can attend an in-person public comment session that will be held to receive comments on the draft EIS.  The primary goal of these comment sessions is to have you identify the specific environmental issues and concerns with the draft EIS. Although there will not be a formal presentation, Commission staff will be available throughout the comment session to answer your questions about the environmental review process. 

In-Person Public Comment Sessions

July 16, 2025

Session A: 9am - 11am

Session B: 6pm - 8pm

Greenfield Community College

One College Drive

Greenfield, MA 01301

You can read the FirstLight DEIS here.

How to Submit Online Comments

Bellows Falls Dam in North Walpole, NH.

The Commission strongly encourages electronic filing. Please file comments using the Commission’s eComment or eFiling system.

eComment Option: Limited to individuals filing up to 10,000 characters of text-only comments on their own behalf.

eFiling Option: You must have or create an account and use this system if you are filing:

• On behalf of a company, agency, organization, association, or other non-individual

• Comments exceeding 10,000 characters

• Non-text material (exhibits, photos) or file attachments

All comments must be filed on or before 5:00pm EST on August 28th, 2025.