United States of America 125 Ferc ¶ 62,064 Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 125 FERC ¶ 62,064 FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION Puget Sound Energy, Inc. Project Nos. P-2150-033, 027 ORDER ON OFFER OF SETTLEMENT, ISSUING NEW LICENSE, AND DISMISSING AMENDMENT APPLICATION AS MOOT (October 17, 2008) INTRODUCTION 1. On April 30, 2004, Puget Sound Energy, Inc. (Puget) filed an application for a new license pursuant to sections 4(e) and 15 of the Federal Power Act (FPA),1 to continue operation and maintenance of the Baker River Hydroelectric Project No. 2150. Puget subsequently amended the application on January 31, 2005. The project’s current authorized capacity is 170.03 megawatts (MW). Puget proposes to increase the authorized capacity to 200.03 MW. The project consists of two developments, Upper Baker and Lower Baker, located on the Baker River in Skagit and Whatcom counties, Washington, and currently occupies 5,207 acres of federal lands2 within the Mt. Baker- Snoqualmie National Forest administered by the U.S. Forest Service (Forest Service).3 2. Puget’s license application is based on a comprehensive Settlement Agreement filed November 30, 2004, and signed by Puget, 11 government agencies, three tribes, eight non-government organizations, and one citizen representative. For the reasons discussed below, this order issues a new license for the Baker River Project and incorporates the Settlement Agreement’s proposed measures. Issuing a new license is in the public interest because it would allow the project to continue generating electric energy to serve growing regional demand while protecting and enhancing environmental, recreation, and cultural resources. 3. As discussed in more detail below, this order also dismisses as moot Puget’s application of June 14, 2002, to amend the previous license to include interim protective 1 16 U.S.C.
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