Dam Relicensing
The Maine TU Council FERC committee coordinates Maine's response to hydropower relicensing before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), including on our border waters.
The committee monitors and acts on FERC proceedings statewide, works directly with the agencies and organizations that shape licensing outcomes, and supports local groups navigating projects in their own backyards.
Information on other projects → How to interact directly with FERC →
What the committee does
- Monitor and report FERC actions throughout Maine
- Execute or support FERC-related actions
- Engage Maine government officials on FERC matters as needed
- Train groups with FERC project ownership
- Conduct ongoing outreach to local groups
- Inform and coordinate with the Hydropower Reform Coalition
- Work with academia to prioritize needed studies
- Coordinate with the Low Impact Hydropower Institute on Maine project certification
Active & recent
The committee's current focus: the Ripogenus and Penobscot Mills relicensing on the West Branch of the Penobscot River.
Presentation
The West Branch of the Penobscot: What’s at Stake in Maine’s Largest Hydropower Relicensing
Maine TU Council’s presentation to Greater Boston Trout Unlimited covers why the West Branch matters, the July 27 fish kill below Ripogenus Dam, the responses from FERC and Maine DEP, the flows and lake levels the coalition has asked FERC to require in the new licenses, and what comes next.
FERC issuance
FERC orders Brookfield to address recurring fish kills at Ripogenus Dam
The Commission directed Brookfield to account for a decade of transmission-line maintenance and propose a fix for outage-driven fish kills — before a new license is even issued.
Coalition filing
Coalition comments filed on the West Branch Final License Application
Maine TU Council led a coalition of conservation groups, camp owners' associations, and outdoor businesses in comprehensive comments calling for an end to excessive lake drawdowns and the dewatering of Ripogenus Gorge and the reach below Stone Dam.
Reports & documents
Kennebec River watershed
Restoring Atlantic salmon to the Kennebec River watershed is Maine TU Council's top fisheries restoration priority. The Nature Conservancy has reached an agreement with Brookfield Renewable to buy the four lower Kennebec dams and remove them over the next ten years.
Events
Maine TU Council partners with Maine Rivers on community events each March and November.
Tuesday, November 17, 2026
Community engagement session - American eel passage in Maine
American eel have a profoundly challenging and remarkably mysterious life cycle. Each year billions of juveniles make their way to Maine’s waters where they face the perils of predation, harvest and seemingly insurmountable barriers. How have river restoration efforts in Maine benefitted American eel, and what efforts could improve their odds of survival? Join a discussion with eel enthusiasts, policy experts and biologists.
Details for this Zoom webinar to follow.
www.mainerivers.org
Last March
Conservation & AI capacity session
Focus: How conservation groups can use AI to increase their capabilities
Legal Defense Fund
Maine TU Council has established a legal defense fund so we can take to court projects relicensed with unacceptable terms and conditions. Read our latest message to donors →
Please note "Legal Defense Fund" in the additional information field when you fill out the donation form.
Questions?
Contact Steve Heinz, Maine TU Council FERC Coordinator, at heinz [at] maine.rr.com (heinz[at]maine[dot]rr[dot]com).
