News_Updates

AUGUSTA, ME, August 26, 2026 – Maine Council of Trout Unlimited, leading a coalition of local and national conservation and sporting organizations, Camp owners' associations and businesses, filed comprehensive comments with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) calling for improved water management practices on the West Branch of the Penobscot River.

In a document filed with the FERC regarding the pending relicensing of Brookfield Renewable’s Ripogenus and Penobscot Mills hydroelectric projects on the West Branch, the coalition said 30-year-old water management practices must change to stop excessive lake drawdowns, the dewatering of the largest river gorge in the Northeast and the five-mile reach below Stone Dam in Millinocket, and recurring fish kills below McKay Station.

“Both fishermen and people who don’t fish are outraged that a company that sells itself as ‘green energy’ has made no effort in its license application to stop the fish kills. Despite saying that it is spending millions on upgrades, Brookfield is not doing enough to maintain the power line between McKay Station and Millinocket. Almost identical failures over the last two years have resulted in generator trips, fish kills, and forest fires,” said Steve Heinz, Maine TU Council FERC Coordinator.