The National Park Service (NPS) Hydropower Assistance program provides technical assistance to participants involved in Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Hydropower Licensing Proceedings. The Hydropower Assistance Program collaborates with NPS park personnel and hydropower applicants to advance reliable energy production by providing expertise and assistance on navigating the licensing process, developing the application, and including consideration of sustainable recreational, natural, and cultural resources.  

The Hydropower Assistance Program: 

• Provides technical assistance and support to National Parks and Designated Areas by supporting parks in navigating the FERC process to advance reliable energy production consistent with the Federal Power Act and NPS management authorities, assuring recreation benefits to local communities and sustainable natural and cultural resources.

• Provides technical assistance and support to hydropower operators, partners, and communities to help identify and develop the information FERC requires to ensure their applications are processed efficiently.

• Improves outdoor recreation for local and rural communities by supporting consideration of compatible opportunities such as fishing and boating to improve visitor experiences and promote economic prosperity. 

• Promotes cooperation and provides facilitation assistance to assist NPS park units, communities, hydropower operators, tribes, and outdoor recreation groups to reach mutually beneficial agreements that align energy production with community interests in outdoor recreation and river resources. 

• Involves collaboration with other resource agencies including the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, and the Bureau of Indian Affairs to ensure compatibility of recommendations. 

• Enhances interests and share expertise in the full range of relevant historical, natural, and cultural resource considerations for NPS sites and areas. For example, the program supports projects affecting several parks including Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park, Lowell National Historical Park, national park sites along the Delaware River Valley, and the Ross Lake National Recreation Area and North Cascades National Park complex. 

• Providing training, tools, and coordination to help NPS parks, the hydropower industry, and partners with the FERC process.  

In addition, staff prioritize support to projects that involve NPS units and other nationally designated areas managed by the NPS, including the National Wild and Scenic Rivers and National Trails Systems programs.