Hydroelectric Licensing Under the Federal Power Act; Order on Rehearing of Final Rule

On July 23, 2003, the Commission issued a final rule amending its regulations to establish a new hydroelectric licensing process that integrates pre-filing consultation with preparation of the Commission's NEPA document and improves coordination of the licensing process with other Federal and state regulatory processes. The final rule retained the existing traditional licensing process and the alternative licensing procedures, and established rule for selection of a licensing process. The final rule also modified some aspects of the traditional licensing process. The Commission herein denies the requests for rehearing and grants certain requests for clarification.