Hydropower

With more than 2,250 hydropower plants currently operating within the United States, and over 115 new projects in the pipeline, the hydropower sector is entering an exciting new chapter for clean, renewable energy.

However, these facilities face no shortage of complex environmental and regulatory challenges. As the industry evolves, project developers and operators require experienced, multidisciplinary partners to navigate energy production among challenges related to ecosystem disruption, regulatory complexity, climate change, outages, and aging infrastructure.

Whether it’s navigating Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) licensing or relicensing, permitting and environmental documentation, addressing dam seismic safety, or creating plans for compliance monitoring and impact mitigation, operators and facilities require specialized support.

For over 30 years, ESA’s team of energy specialists have supported a wide range of hydropower projects at every stage of project development and operation—from initial feasibility and licensing, through long-term operations and decommissioning.

We support major utilities, tribes and municipalities including Seattle City Light, Bonneville Power Administration, and various Public Utility Districts, and work closely with agencies, tribes, and stakeholders to develop practical solutions that minimize impacts, reduce risk, and keep projects moving forward.

Contact Us For

• FERC licensing and relicensing support
• Environmental constraints analysis and due diligence
• Aquatic, fisheries, and biological resources services
• Hydrology, hydraulics, and water quality analysis
• Cultural resources and tribal consultation
• Dam removal and habitat restoration planning and design
• Regulatory permitting and environmental review (NEPA, CEQA, SEPA)
• Construction compliance and environmental monitoring
• Mitigation planning, implementation, and monitoring
• Data management and compliance tracking
• Advanced GIS and remote sensing analysis