FERC extends Duke Energy’s hydro station license for 30 additional years

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) issued a 30-year operating license for Duke Energy’s Keowee-Toxaway Hydroelectric Project on Wednesday to continue to provide clean renewable energy and drinking water to the lakeside residents of the Carolinas.

“The project provides clean, renewable hydroelectric power generation, supports regional public drinking water needs and provides high-quality recreational opportunities for the region,” Steve Jester, Duke Energy’s vice president of water strategy, hydro licensing and lake services, said. “This license ensures the availability of these resources for future generations.”

The Keowee-Toxaway project consists of two reservoirs – the Jocassee Pumped Storage Hydro Station and the Keowee Hydro Station that span 25 river miles and 480 miles of shoreline. The project serves both to generate 868 megawatts of hydropower and to cool the Oconee Nuclear Station in the area. The hydropower facility became operational in 1966 with a 50-year license. Duke Energy filed an application to relicense the facility in 2014, with the support of 16 local stakeholder organizations.

The new license includes a new operating agreement between the hydropower station and a project on which the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is working downstream. Duke Energy also has plans to add a Habitat Enhancement Program to the 2,900-acre facility in an effort to protect the natural and culturally-significant resources in the area.

Duke Energy can schedule a hearing to dispute license terms for up to 30-days. If an additional hearing is not scheduled, the license will go into effect on Sept. 1.