Carmen-Smith Hydroelectric Project Load Bank Installation

Eugene Water & Electric Board; Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Assessment

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission intends to prepare an Environmental Assessment for Eugene Water and Electric Board's application to install a load bank in lieu of a turbine bypass valve under license Article 3 for the Carmen-Smith Hydroelectric Project No. 2242, located on the McKenzie and Smith Rivers in Lane and Linn counties, Oregon, within the Willamette National Forest. The load bank at Carmen Power Plant would dissipate electricity equivalent to at least 800 cfs of spill required to protect the Smith Bypass Reach from spill events from Smith Dam. FERC staff plans to issue the EA by July 31, 2026, followed by a 30-day public comment period.

Great River Hydro, LLC; Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Assessment

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has issued a Notice of Intent to prepare an Environmental Assessment (EA) for Eugene Water and Electric Board's application to install a load bank in lieu of a turbine bypass valve under license Article 3 for the Carmen-Smith Hydroelectric Project No. 2242, located on the McKenzie and Smith Rivers in Lane and Linn counties, Oregon, within the Willamette National Forest. The load bank would dissipate electricity at the Carmen Power Plant equivalent to at least 800 cfs of spill required to be diverted from the Smith Bypass Reach, protecting that reach from spill events from Smith Dam. FERC plans to issue the EA by July 31, 2026, followed by a 30-day comment period.