Duke Energy seeks hydropower plant relicensing

September 2, 2014 | By Barbara Vergetis Lundin

After four years of collaboration with stakeholders, Duke Energy has filed with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) an application for a new license for the Keowee-Toxaway Hydroelectric Project, which would allow Duke Energy to continue operating Lake Jocassee, Lake Keowee and their associated hydro stations in the Upstate region of South Carolina.

The relicensing agreement, signed by Duke Energy and 16 stakeholder organizations, including those representing local, state and federal government agencies, businesses and the public, reflects a balance of needs for the protection of natural resources and surrounding communities, including water resource protection enhancements, land conservation, species protection and shoreline management.

The project was originally licensed for 50 years in 1966 and included Keowee Hydro Station, Lake Keowee, Jocassee Pumped Storage Station and Lake Jocassee. The new license will last for 30 to 50 years, with the existing license expiring in August 2016.

Together the hydro plants have a generating capacity of 868 MW.

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http://www.fierceenergy.com/story/duke-energy-seeks-hydropower-plant-relicensing/2014-09-02