Energy Northwest operates the 27.5-megawatt Packwood Lake Hydroelectric Project near the town of Packwood in Lewis County, Washington. The project is located at Packwood Lake and along Lake Creek, a tributary to the Cowlitz River.
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission licensed the project effective March 1, 1960 with a 50-year operating license. In October 2018, FERC issued the renewed operating license to Energy Northwest to operate and maintain the Project for a period of 40 years. This license is subject to the terms and conditions of the Federal Power Act (FPA), which is incorporated by reference as part of this license, and subject to the regulations the Commission issues under the provisions of the FPA.
Energy Northwest filed a new license application on Feb. 22, 2008, pursuant to the Federal Power Act and Federal Energy Regulatory Commission regulations for the Integrated Licensing Process at 18 CFR §5.18 and associated sections. Under the Integrated Licensing Process regulations, a license applicant must file a Preliminary Licensing Proposal. Energy Northwest consulted extensively with the natural resources agencies and tribes who contributed to the development of the Preliminary Licensing Proposal and proposed numerous measures for the protection and enhancement of the project’s resources. The Preliminary Licensing Proposal contained results of 23 studies and was submitted to Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on Sept. 14, 2007. Energy Northwest submitted Notice of Intent and Pre-Application Document on Nov. 10, 2004.