PPL Montana Awarded First New FERC License

PPL Montana Awarded First New FERC License GEI Consultants assisted PPLM on Mystic Lake Project PORTLAND, Ore. January 3, 2008 – PPL Montana (PPLM) announced recently that it has been awarded the first-ever new Federal Regulatory Energy Commission (FERC) license under the Integrated Licensing Process (ILP) for its Mystic Lake Hydroelectric Project, located 75 miles southwest of Billings, Montana.

Mystic Lake is a natural lake that was raised by construction of a dam in the 1920s on West Rosebud Creek. Located near Yellowstone National Park, the lake has an excellent coldwater trout fishery of mostly introduced species. Several species listed as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act live in or near the project boundary. During the current license term, PPLM responded to FERC requests to improve minimum bypass flows and reregulate peaking operations to protect fisheries in both the bypass and downstream reaches of the creek. The project tailwaters provide unique late summer whitewater boating opportunities and there are cultural properties in the project area, including historic plant operating facilities such as the dam and powerhouse. These resources have been evaluated as eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places.

As one of several key consultants for this effort, GEI Consultants, Inc. (GEI), one of the nation’s leading geotechnical, environmental, water resources, and ecological science and engineering consulting services firms, assisted PPLM with life science, engineering, ILP strategy and administrative services in the successful relicense of the Mystic Lake Project. GEI worked in coordination with American Public Land Exchange, and Legacy Consulting on recreation, land uses and cultural resources. The ILP, initiated by FERC in 2003, involves the Applicant (PPLM), FERC, and stakeholders in a tightly scheduled process that includes assessments and documentation of natural resources, recreations, fisheries and aquatic resources; endangered species; remote data collection, and hydropower operations.

“The ILP was designed to improve the regulatory framework by increasing coordination between the applicant, federal and state agencies and other participants in the licensing process. We commend the Commission, PPLM and all the stakeholders who were involved in reaching this successful result,” stated Linda Church Ciocci, National Hydropower Association (NHA) executive director.

“For many years, GEI has served PPL Montana with innovative and applied state-of-the-art science, engineering and technology grounded in their broad experience with stakeholder collaboration and hydro regulatory process. They continue to be an essential contributor to our hydro leadership team,” said Jon Jourdonnais, PPL Montana’s Director of Hydro Licensing and Compliance.

In a recent communiqué to Jourdonnais, a senior hydropower specialist with the U.S. Forest Service wrote, “I wish all the re-licensings we are involved with would go as smoothly as Mystic. PPLM made wise decisions about selecting its staff and the many talented contractors that helped you along the way. You have really raised the bar.”

To learn more about the Mystic Lake Project, please visit www.mysticlakeproject.com.

About GEI Consultants, Inc. GEI's multi-disciplined engineers and scientists deliver geotechnical, environmental, integrated water resources, dam engineering, and ecological solutions to diverse clientele nationwide and locally. The firm has provided a broad range of consulting and engineering services on over 25,000 projects in 50 states and 22 countries.

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