On February 4, 2026, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission) received a request from the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (Vermont DEC) for a jurisdictional determination for the unlicensed East Branch Hydroelectric Project. The project is located on the East Branch of the Missisquoi River in Orleans County, Vermont.

Pursuant to section 23(b)(1) of the Federal Power Act (FPA),^[1] a non-federal hydroelectric project must be licensed if it: (a) is located on a navigable water of the United States; (b) occupies lands or reservations of the United States; (c) utilizes surplus water or waterpower from a government dam; ^[2] or (d) is located on a stream over which Congress has Commerce Clause jurisdiction, is constructed or modified on or after August 26, 1935, and affects the interests of interstate or foreign commerce.

Regarding condition (d) above, for purposes of FPA section 23(b)(1), headwaters and tributaries of navigable waters are Commerce Clause streams; ^[3] “post-1935” construction or modification at an existing project includes enlarging a project, such as increasing size of the reservoir, height of the dam, or generating capacity; ^[4] and projects that generate energy for transmission on the interstate grid affect interstate commerce.^[5]

Vermont DEC requests that the Commission examine its jurisdiction for the East Branch Project on the grounds that the project is located on a stream over which Congress has Commerce Clause jurisdiction, was constructed after August 26, 1935, and is connected to the transmission grid.^[6]

In response to Vermont DEC's requests, Commission staff is investigating the jurisdictional status of the East Branch Hydroelectric Project (UL26-5-000). A copy of Vermont DEC's request may be viewed on the Commission's website at http://www.ferc.gov/​docs-filing/​elibrary.asp. Enter the docket number, UL26-5-000. You may also register online at http://www.ferc.gov/​docs-filing/​esubscription.asp to be notified via email of new filings and issuances related to this or other pending projects. For assistance, call 1-866-208-3676 or email FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov, for TTY, call (202) 502-8659.

The Commission is soliciting comments, motions to intervene, and protests in these proceedings. Comments, motions to intervene, and protests must be filed by 45 days from notice or May 11, 2026, by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Anyone may submit comments, a protest, or a motion to intervene in accordance with the requirements of Rules and Practice and Procedure, 18 CFR 385.210, 211, and 214. In determining the appropriate action to take, the Commission will consider all protests or comments filed, but only those who file a motion to intervene in accordance with the Commission's Rule may become a party to the proceedings. Any comments, protests, or motions to intervene must be received on or before the specified comment date.

The Commission strongly encourages electronic filing. Please file comments, protests, and motions to intervene using the Commission's eFiling system at http://www.ferc.gov/​docs-filing/​efiling.asp. Commenters can submit brief comments up to 6,000 characters, without prior registration, using the eComment system at http://www.ferc.gov/​docs-filing/​ ( printed page 15987) ecomment.asp. You must include your name and contact information at the end of your comments. For assistance, please contact FERC Online Support at FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov, (866) 208-3676 (toll free), or (202) 502-8659 (TTY). In lieu of electronic filing, you may submit a paper copy. Submissions sent via the U.S. Postal Service must be addressed to: Debbie-Anne A. Reese, Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street NE, Room 1A, Washington, DC 20426. Submissions sent via any other carrier must be addressed to: Debbie-Anne A. Reese, Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 12225 Wilkins Avenue, Rockville, Maryland 20852. The first page of any filing should include Docket Number UL26-5-000.

For further information, please contact Rebecca Martin at (202) 502-6012 or rebecca.martin@ferc.gov.

(Authority: 18 CFR 2.1)