Catawba-Wateree Hydroelectric Relicensing Project

Our Position:

The Catawba-Wateree reservoirs and the associated hydroelectric power plants are a critically important source of economic sustainability for the Carolinas. Today, more than 1.5 million people depend on the river and its 11 reservoirs for drinking water, recreation, power generation, wastewater assimilation and industrial uses.

Duke Energy’s Catawba-Wateree Hydro Project’s relicensing process gives early and ongoing involvement to local governments, state and federal resource agencies, environmental groups and the general public using a collaborative process that involves two state licensing teams and four regional advisory groups. The intent is to reach a mutually acceptable agreement on all issues related to the project and include those agreements in Duke Energy’s Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) license application which is due in August 2006.

Duke Energy’s objectives in the relicensing process are to:

  • Provide opportunities for constructive and meaningful stakeholder involvement prior to filing the license application.
  • Address impacts related to Project operations through reaching sustainable solutions.
  • Obtain a new operating license that will ensure the economic viability of the hydro stations and retain their operational flexibility in meeting the needs of more than 2 million electric customers.

Background:

  • The Catawba-Wateree Hydro Project begins in western North Carolina and flows easterly and southerly into South Carolina, where it joins Big Wateree Creek to form the Wateree River.
  • Duke Energy is in the process of renewing its license from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to operate the Catawba-Wateree Project. The Federal Power Act requires non-federal hydroelectric projects to relicense after the original license expires, with the new license being granted for 30-50 years. The original license was issued by FERC in 1958 as Duke Power was building the 11th and largest reservoir on the Catawba River—Lake Norman.
  • Made up of 13 hydropower stations and 11 reservoirs, the project spans more than 200 river miles and encompasses approximately 1,700 miles of shoreline. It is the backbone of Duke Energy’s generation fleet in the Carolinas, providing 841 megawatts of hydropower and cooling water to more than 8,100 megawatts of fossil and nuclear generation.
  • FERC license conditions for operation ensure that equal consideration is given to both power and non-power production benefits such as water quality, recreation, fish and wildlife and wildlife habitat enhancement and protection. In February 2003, Duke Energy filed its First Stage Consultation Document with FERC and formally began the relicensing process. The process involves over 160 stakeholders, representing more than 80 organizations that have an interest in the river and its resources.
  • Duke Energy is also in the process of relicensing its Nantahala Area reservoirs and facilities. Duke Energy has submitted applications for 10 Nantahala Area hydroelectric stations and is awaiting relicensing approval from FERC.