The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) filed formal comments with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) opposing Pacific Gas & Electric’s (PG&E) application to surrender its license and decommission the Potter Valley Hydroelectric Project on the Eel and Russian Rivers in California. USDA argues that removing the dams and ending project operations would harm local agriculture, water supplies, and rural communities, undermining water access for farmers and jeopardizing USDA mission areas such as the Forest Service, Natural Resources Conservation Service, and conservation programs. The department also raised concerns about impacts to firefighting water availability, groundwater resources, recreation, and prime farmland, and urged FERC to require more detailed environmental analysis and mitigation planning before approving any surrender or decommissioning action. Read more here.
