The Lewiston Falls Project is currently licensed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) (FERC No. 2302) under the authority granted to the FERC by Congress via the Federal Power Act to license and oversee the operation of non-federal hydroelectric projects.

The current and original Lewiston Falls Project license was issued on September 29, 1986 and expires on August 31, 2026. On August 4, 2021, Brookfield White Pine Hydro, LLC’s (BWPH) filed a notice of intent and a pre-application document (NOI/PAD) for a new license for the Lewiston Falls Hydroelectric Project FERC No. 2302. BWPH is pursuing a new license from FERC for the continued operation of the Project through the Commission’s Traditional Licensing Process (TLP). In support of preparing an application for a new license, BWPH was granted approval by the FERC to use the TLP on September 15, 2021.

On November 4, 2021, BWPH held Joint Agency and Public Participation Meetings. Due to the ongoing pandemic at that time, the meeting was held virtually, instead of holding an in-person meeting in accordance with FERC’s TLP regulations.  The purpose of the Joint Meeting was to provide an overview of the Lewiston Falls Hydroelectric Project, review the FERC relicensing process, provide an overview of the Pre-Application Document (PAD), and provide an opportunity for initial questions and comments regarding relicensing and Project resources. Since then,  BWPH has consulted with the Project’s stakeholders, including state and federal resource agencies, native American tribes, non-governmental organizations, and the public to identify resources to be evaluated, develop study plans, and conduct resource-specific studies.  Studies were conducted during the first study season (2022) and in the second study season (2023 and early 2024). The Draft License Application (DLA) was filed with the FERC and distributed to stakeholders in February 2024. The Final License Application (FLA), will be filed with the FERC and distributed to stakeholders on or before August 31, 2024.

To view relicensing documents, please refer to the documents page for a link to the FERCs eLibrary.