On January 3, 2019, the Commission issued public notice of an application, filed pursuant to section 8 of the Federal Power Act, to transfer the license for the Housatonic River Project No. 2576 from FirstLight Hydro Generating Company to FirstLight CT Housatonic LLC (together referred to as the applicants). The project consists of five developments and is located on the Housatonic River in Fairfield, New Haven, and Litchfield Counties, Connecticut. One of the developments is a pumped storage facility and uses the 5,600-acre Candlewood Lake as its upper reservoir. The notice established February 25, 2019 as the deadline to file interventions.^[1]

On February 25, 2019, Candlewood Lake Authority (Authority) filed a timely motion to intervene to become a party in the proceeding.^[2] It subsequently supplemented the motion on March 15, 2019. On March 7, 2019, the applicants filed an answer in opposition to the Authority's ( printed page 31311) intervention because they allege that the Authority failed to demonstrate an interest that may be directly affected by the outcome of the proceeding or that the Authority's participation is in the public interest.^[3] In its March 15, 2019 response, the Authority states that it is an agent for the five municipalities that surround Candlewood Lake and act on their behalf on matters related to lake, shoreline, and watershed management to foster the preservation and enhancement of recreational, economic, scenic, public safety, and environmental values of Candlewood Lake.^[4]

Pursuant to Rule 214(c)(2) of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure, if an answer in opposition to a timely motion to intervene is filed within 15 days after the motion to intervene is filed, the movant becomes a party only when the motion is expressly granted.^[5]

The Authority has an interest in the potential project impacts on Candlewood Lake. Therefore, the Authority's motion to intervene is granted.