NorthWestern Corp. License Amendment Application for Thompson Falls Hydroelectric Project

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Take notice that the following hydroelectric application has been filed with the Commission and is available for public inspection:

a. Application Type: Non-Capacity Amendment of License.

b. Project No: 1869-067.

c. Date Filed: June 4, 2025.

d. Applicant: NorthWestern Corporation.

e. Name of Project: Thompson Falls Hydroelectric Project.

f. Location: The project is located on the Clark Fork River in Sanders County, Montana.

g. Filed Pursuant to: Federal Power Act, 16 U.S.C. 791a-825r.

h. Applicant Contact: Michael Green, NorthWestern Corporation, 208 North Montana Avenue, Suite 200, Helena, MT 59601, (406) 443-8923, michael.green@northwestern.com.

i. FERC Contact: Mark Mattozzi, (202) 502-8087, Mark.Mattozzi@ferc.gov.

j. Cooperating agencies: With this notice, the Commission is inviting

  federal, state, local, and Tribal agencies with jurisdiction and/or special expertise with respect to environmental issues
  affected by the proposal, that wish to cooperate in the preparation of any environmental document, if applicable, to follow
  the instructions for filing such requests described in item k below. Cooperating agencies should note the Commission's policy
  that agencies that cooperate in the preparation of any environmental document cannot also intervene. *See* 94 FERC ¶ 61,076 (2001)

k. Deadline for filing comments, motions to intervene, and protests: April 16, 2026 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

The Commission strongly encourages electronic filing. Please file motions to intervene, protests, comments, or recommendations
using the Commission's eFiling system at http://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/efiling.asp. Commenters can submit brief comments up to 6,000 characters, without prior registration, using the eComment system at http://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/ecomment.asp. You must include your name and contact information at the end of your comments. For assistance, please contact FERC Online
Support at FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov, (866) 208-3676 (toll free), or (202) 502-8659 (TTY). In lieu of electronic filing, you may submit a paper copy. Submissions
sent via the U.S. Postal Service must be addressed to: Debbie-Anne A. Reese, Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission,
888 First Street NE, Room 1A, Washington, DC 20426. Submissions sent via any other carrier must be addressed to: Debbie-Anne
A. Reese, Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 12225 Wilkins Avenue, Rockville, MD 20852. The first page of any
filing should include the docket number P-1869-067. Comments emailed to Commission staff are not considered part of the Commission
record.

The Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure require all intervenors filing documents with the Commission to serve a copy
of that document on each person whose name appears on the official service list for the project. Further, if an intervenor
files comments or documents with the Commission relating to the merits of an issue that may affect the responsibilities of
a particular resource agency, they must also serve a copy of the document on that resource agency.

l. Description of Request: The applicant requests approval to replace the Thompson Falls Project's older Unit 6 Allis Chalmers Vertical Francis turbine
with a new and more efficient American Hydro Vertical Francis turbine. The proposed scope of work for Unit 6 includes complete
turbine replacement and generator stator rewind. The applicant expects the turbine replacement to result in an increase of
1.91 megawatts (MW) to the total installed capacity of the unit, increasing the project's authorized installed capacity from
92.37 MW to 94.28 MW. The applicant states that the hydraulic capacity would increase from 23,252 cubic feet-per-second (cfs)
to 23,350 cfs. The applicant states the hydraulic throughput change that would result from the new turbine is de minimis and would not cause any change in the operation of the units or have quantifiable environmental effects.

m. Locations of the Application: This filing may be viewed on the Commission's website at http://www.ferc.gov using the “eLibrary” link. Enter the docket number excluding the last three digits in the docket number field to access the
document. You may also register online at http://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/esubscription.asp to be notified via email of new filings and issuances related to this or other pending projects. For assistance, call 1-866-208-3676
or email FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov, for TTY, call (202) 502-8659. Agencies may obtain copies of the application directly from the applicant.

n. Individuals desiring to be included on the Commission's mailing list should so indicate by writing to the Secretary of
the Commission.

o. Comments, Protests, or Motions to Intervene: Anyone may submit comments, a protest, or a motion to intervene in accordance with the requirements of Rules of Practice and
Procedure, 18 CFR 385.210, .211, .214, respectively. In determining the appropriate action to take, the Commission will consider
all protests or other comments filed, but only those who file a motion to intervene in accordance with the Commission's Rules
may become a party to the proceeding. Any comments, protests, or motions to intervene must be received on or before the specified
comment date for the particular application.

p. Filing and Service of Documents: Any filing must (1) bear in all capital letters the title “COMMENTS”, “PROTEST”, or “MOTION TO INTERVENE” as applicable; (2)
set forth in the heading the name of the applicant and the project number of the application to which the filing responds;
(3) furnish the name, address, and telephone number of the person commenting, protesting or intervening; and (4) otherwise
comply with the requirements of 18 CFR 385.2001 through 385.2005. All comments, motions to intervene, or protests must set
forth their evidentiary basis. Any filing made by an intervenor must be accompanied by proof of service on all persons listed
in the service list prepared by the Commission in this proceeding, in accordance with 18 CFR 385.2010.

q. For public inquiries and assistance with making filings such as interventions, comments, or requests for rehearing, contact
the Office of Public Participation at (202) 502-6595 or OPP@ferc.gov.

(Authority: 18 CFR 2.1)

Dated: March 17, 2026. Debbie-Anne A. Reese, Secretary. [FR Doc. 2026-05524 Filed 3-19-26; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717-01-P

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