FERC Notice: City of Tacoma Hydroelectric Project Amendment Application

FR: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

Published March 24th, 2026

Detected March 24th, 2026

Summary

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has accepted for filing the City of Tacoma's application for a non-capacity amendment to its license for the Cushman Hydroelectric Project. FERC is soliciting comments, motions to intervene, and protests from interested parties regarding this application.

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What changed

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has accepted for filing an application from the City of Tacoma, Washington, for a non-capacity amendment to its license for the Cushman Hydroelectric Project (Project No. 460-120). The application was filed on February 28, 2025, and concerns the project's location on the North Fork of the Skokomish River in Mason County, Washington. FERC is providing a public notice and soliciting comments, motions to intervene, and protests from interested parties.

Regulated entities and stakeholders, particularly those with jurisdiction or expertise related to environmental issues affected by the proposal, must submit comments, motions to intervene, or protests by April 20, 2026, 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Electronic filing is strongly encouraged via FERC's eFiling system or eComment system. Failure to submit comments or motions by the deadline may preclude participation in the Commission's proceedings.

What to do next

Submit comments, motions to intervene, or protests by April 20, 2026.
Ensure filings include the docket number P-460-120.
Serve copies of filings on relevant parties as required by FERC's rules.

Source document (simplified)

Notice

City of Tacoma, Washington; Notice of Application for Non-Capacity Amendment of License Accepted for Filing, Soliciting Comments, Motions To Intervene, and Protests

A Notice by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on 03/24/2026

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Public Inspection Published Document: 2026-05714 (91 FR 14018) Document Headings ###### Department of Energy

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Project No. 460-120] 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: 460-120.

c. Date Filed: February 28, 2025.

d. Applicant: City of Tacoma, Washington.

e. Name of Project: Cushman Hydroelectric Project.

f. Location: The project is located on the North Fork of the Skokomish River in Mason County, Washington, and occupies federal lands.

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

h. Applicant Contact: Matt Peter, Tacoma Power, 3628 S 35th Street, Tacoma, WA 98409, (253) 502-8600, mpeter@cityoftacoma.org.

i. FERC Contact: Woohee Choi, (202) 502-6336, woohee.choi@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 20, 2026 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

The Commission strongly encourages electronic filing. Please file comments, motions to intervene, and protests 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. 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-460-120. 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 City of Tacoma is seeking Commission approval to perform a non-capacity efficiency rewind on the Cushman No. 2 Powerhouse Unit 32 turbine-generator. This unit has been operational since 1930, with most major turbine components still in their original state. The last significant turbine overhaul was completed in 1995. The purpose of the proposed amendment is to improve Unit 32's reliability through a planned generator rewind, which will extend its effective service life. The efficiency rewind would be carried out entirely within the existing powerhouse, and there would be no ground disturbance outside the powerhouse. The amendment is limited to generator rewinding, aiming to enhance operational reliability and efficiency. Following the rewind, the generator capacity for Unit 32 would increase from 27 megawatts (MW) to 30 MW, while the turbine capacity would remain unchanged.

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 ( printed page 14019) 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)

Issued: March 19, 2026.

Carlos D. Clay,

Deputy Secretary.

[FR Doc. 2026-05714 Filed 3-23-26; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6717-01-P

Published Document: 2026-05714 (91 FR 14018)