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FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20426
June 9, 2020
OFFICE OF ENERGY PROJECTS
Project No. 14873-001- Alaska
Nuyakuk River Hydroelectric Project
Nushagak Electric & Telephone
Cooperative, Inc.
VIA FERC Service
Bob Armstrong
Nushagak Electric & Telephone Cooperative, Inc.
PO Box 350
Dillingham, AK 99576
Reference: Request to Hold the Integrated Licensing Process in Abeyance
Dear Mr. Armstrong:
On June 7, 2020, Nushagak Electric & Telephone Cooperative (Nushagak
Cooperative) requested that the Commission place the Integrated Licensing Process (ILP)
for the Nuyakuk River Hydroelectric Project in abeyance. The next milestone in the
process, the due date for filing comments on the Proposed Study Plan, is scheduled to
occur June 25.
In its letter, the Nushagak Cooperative states that additional time is needed
because adequate consultation with relevant stakeholders has not been possible due to the
COVID-19 pandemic. Nushagak Cooperative explains that it has held a series of
meetings via teleconference, but internet bandwidth and telephone capacity issues in the
Dillingham area and outlying villages has prevented numerous parties from participating
to the level that they and Nushagak Cooperative would prefer. Further, travel restrictions
into Dillingham are likely to persist relative to other areas of the country. Nushagak
Cooperative adds that public and tribal stakeholders in Dillingham are currently too
overwhelmed with addressing the impact of COVID-19 on the commercial fishing season
to adequately participate in the ILP process. Nushagak Cooperative states that when it is
prepared to restart the ILP it will notify the Commission by filing a new proposed study
plan.
Because no development application is expected to be filed in the foreseeable
future, and because of the unique extenuating circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic
in this isolated area of Alaska, we are placing the ILP in abeyance until further notice. If
you have any questions, please contact Julia Kolberg at (202) 502-8261, or via e-mail at
Julia.Kolberg@ferc.gov.
Sincerely,
Vince Yearick
Director
Division of Hydropower Relicensing