The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has accepted a joint application from STS Hydropower LLC and the Charter Township of Van Buren, Michigan, for a new major license to operate the French Landing Hydroelectric Project. Filed on April 29, 2025, this application marks a key step in the relicensing process under the Federal Power Act, which governs the development and operation of non-federal hydroelectric projects in the United States. The project, located on the Huron River in Wayne County, Michigan, generates 1,650 kilowatts of power and has been in operation under previous licensing. This development opens a window for public input, environmental review, and potential interventions, with deadlines set for early 2026. The significance lies in balancing renewable energy production with environmental protection and community recreation needs in a region where the Huron River supports diverse ecological and human uses.
Project Background and Description
The French Landing Hydroelectric Project traces its roots to the broader framework of hydropower development in the Great Lakes region, where rivers like the Huron have long been harnessed for energy. Originally licensed under FERC's authority derived from the Federal Power Act of 1920, as amended, the project requires periodic relicensing to ensure compliance with evolving environmental standards and public interest considerations. The current application is for a new major license, indicating the project's capacity exceeds 1.5 megawatts, thus triggering comprehensive review processes.
The existing infrastructure includes a 1,123.5-foot-long dam featuring two Tainter gates, a spillway, and embankments, creating Belleville Lake—an impoundment spanning 1,270 acres with a normal maximum elevation of 651.5 feet above the National Geodetic Vertical Datum of 1929. Water flows through a powerhouse equipped with a Francis turbine-generator and trashracks with 2-inch bar spacing, discharging into the Huron River tailrace. Power is transmitted via a 525-foot-long line and a step-up transformer to the regional grid. Recreation amenities, such as French Landing Park with boat access, picnic areas, and a portage route, underscore the project's integration with local community needs.
This setup reflects standard small-scale hydropower design, aimed at run-of-river operation, where outflow approximates inflow to minimize ecological disruption. Historical context includes prior licenses that have addressed issues like fish passage and water quality, influenced by federal laws such as the Clean Water Act and the National Environmental Policy Act.
Key Players and Application Details
STS Hydropower LLC, a Bethesda, Maryland-based firm specializing in hydroelectric operations, and the Charter Township of Van Buren, a local government entity, are the co-applicants. Jody Smet, STS Hydropower's Senior Vice President for Regulatory Affairs, serves as the primary contact, highlighting the private-public partnership model common in municipal hydropower projects.
The application proposes maintaining run-of-river operations, developing plans for operation compliance monitoring, invasive species management, and recreation management, and enhancing the portage route. These elements respond to FERC's integrated licensing process, which emphasizes stakeholder input and environmental safeguards. No major structural changes are proposed, focusing instead on operational continuity with improvements.
FERC's notice, published in the Federal Register on December 8, 2025, signals the application's acceptance and readiness for environmental analysis. This follows the filing on April 29, 2025, and aligns with procedural timelines under 18 CFR parts 4 and 5, which govern hydropower licensing.
Legal and Regulatory Framework
The relicensing is governed by the Federal Power Act, specifically sections 791(a) through 825(r), which empower FERC to issue licenses ensuring projects are consistent with comprehensive waterway development, energy needs, and environmental protection. Relevant precedents include FERC's handling of similar relicensings, such as the 2019 renewal of the Ludington Pumped Storage Project in Michigan, where conditions addressed fish entrainment and habitat restoration.
Environmental review will incorporate input from resource agencies, potentially including mandatory conditions under section 18 of the Federal Power Act for fishways and section 401 water quality certifications from Michigan's Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy. The deadline for water quality certification evidence is February 2, 2026, emphasizing the interplay between federal and state oversight.
Political forces at play include Michigan's push for renewable energy, supported by state policies like the Clean Energy and Jobs Act, amid national debates on hydropower's role in decarbonization. Environmental groups, such as the Huron River Watershed Council, have historically advocated for stronger protections against invasive species and river flow alterations, representing diverse perspectives from conservationists to energy producers.
Potential Implications and Perspectives
Short-term implications involve the environmental analysis phase, where FERC will assess impacts on water quality, aquatic life, and recreation. Public comments, due by February 2, 2026, could shape license conditions, such as enhanced monitoring to prevent fish mortality from turbine passage.
Long-term, the relicensing could influence regional energy reliability and ecosystem health. Proponents, including the applicants, argue it sustains clean energy production—1,650 kilowatts contributing to Michigan's grid—while enhancing public access. Critics, potentially including environmental advocates, may highlight risks like altered river flows affecting downstream habitats or the spread of invasive species in Belleville Lake.
Different perspectives emerge: local governments view it as an economic asset for Van Buren Township, providing revenue and recreation. Federal agencies focus on compliance with endangered species protections under the Endangered Species Act. Indigenous groups, though not directly mentioned, could intervene if cultural resources along the Huron River are affected, drawing from precedents like the Grand Coulee Dam consultations.
The process invites balanced consideration, with no single viewpoint endorsed, but all grounded in verifiable data from FERC dockets and state reports.
In summary, this relicensing application underscores the ongoing tension between energy development and environmental stewardship in Michigan's waterways. Potential next steps include FERC's issuance of an environmental assessment or impact statement post-comment period, leading to a license decision. Challenges may arise from conflicting stakeholder interests, such as demands for fish passage improvements versus operational costs. Ongoing debates center on hydropower's viability in a changing climate, with possible trajectories including license approval with conditions or, less likely, denial if public interest standards are unmet. This case exemplifies the deliberative nature of federal energy regulation, inviting informed participation from all sectors.
