Community Highlights

Navigating the hydropower regulatory process is challenging, and can become particularly complex for federally-recognized Tribes which are sovereign nations. In 2024, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) released clear guidance outlining the role of Tribes during the FERC environmental review process. The new guide highlighted FERC’s commitment to promoting a government-to-government relationship between FERC and Tribes, and specified how Tribes can engage with and participate in FERC’s review of proposed energy infrastructure projects on their land. According to the updated guidance, Tribes can become involved in the process at any time, but are encouraged to participate as early and often in the process as possible. Establishing clear guidance for Tribal participation in the FERC environmental review process directly contributes to improving understanding of and access to the hydropower regulatory process. 

Learn more from FERC.

The Hydropower eLibrary is an online database and search tool designed specifically for users looking for hydropower information within the massive Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) eLibrary. Developed by Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) with support from the U.S. Department of Energy Water Power Technologies Office, the Hydropower eLibrary is a comprehensive repository of FERC’s hydropower-related documents and data, accessed using a streamlined and powerful search tool. The tool is intended to help hydropower community members quickly access information that will help them navigate the complex regulatory and licensing processes related to hydropower. Hydropower eLibrary offers unique built-in features including the ability to filter results by key document types, view most-accessed documents, and access all available information for individual hydropower projects via an interactive map of U.S. hydropower facilities. 

Learn more about the Hydropower eLibrary or test it out at hydropowerelibrary.pnnl.gov.

Navigating federal and state energy regulations and permitting can be a complicated process for developers and regulators, which can slow investments in energy projects. Launched in 2015, the Regulatory and Permitting Information Desktop (RAPID) toolkit is designed to help make it easier to navigate the regulatory processes for hydropower, geothermal, solar, and bulk transmission. Specifically, the free toolkit: 

• offers easy access to permit applications, processes, and manuals
• outlines regulatory requirements and clarifies the permitting process
• provides best practices, case studies, and how-to information
• facilitates communication among stakeholders

Since 2015, the toolkit has been accessed from all over the United States by users at federal agencies, universities, state and local governments, utilities and developers, and consultants. Hydropower stakeholders can also provide input to continue improving the toolkit over time and keep it updated. RAPID was developed by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory with funding from the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Renewable Energy and the Office of Electricity, with additional support from Tetra Tech, Environmental Management and Planning Solutions Inc., Kearns and West, and Herrick Solutions.

Check out the RAPID toolkit.