Western Maine Energy Storage, LLC; Notice of Intent To File License Application, Filing of Pre-Application Document, and Approving Use of the Traditional Licensing Process

[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 73 (Thursday, April 16, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Page 20425]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2026-07445]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Project No. 15410-001]


Western Maine Energy Storage, LLC; Notice of Intent To File 
License Application, Filing of Pre-Application Document, and Approving 
Use of the Traditional Licensing Process

    a. Type of Filing: Notice of Intent to File License Application and 
Request to Use the Traditional Licensing Process.
    b. Project No.: 15410-001.
    c. Date Filed: February 13, 2026.
    d. Submitted By: Western Maine Energy Storage, LLC (WMES).
    e. Name of Project: Western Maine Energy Storage Project.
    f. Location: Tributaries of the Androscoggin River in Dixfield, 
Oxford County, Maine.
    g. Filed Pursuant to: 18 CFR 5.3 of the Commission's regulations.
    h. Potential Applicant Contact: Lauren Walsh, Corporate 
Environmental Manager, Western Maine Energy Storage, LLC, P.O. Box 
1000, Pittsfield, ME 04967; (207) 487-3311, or email LLOHN@cianbro.com. 
FERC Contact: Justin R. Robbins at (202) 502-8308; or email at 
justin.robbins@ferc.gov.
    i. WMES filed its request to use the Traditional Licensing Process 
on February 13, 2026. WMES provided documentation of public notice of 
its request on March 4, 2026. In a letter dated April 13, 2026, the 
Director of the Division of Hydropower Licensing approved WMES's 
request to use the Traditional Licensing Process.
    j. With this notice, we are initiating informal consultation with 
the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries 
Service (NMFS) under section 7 of the Endangered Species Act and the 
joint agency regulations thereunder at 50 CFR, Part 402; and NMFS under 
section 305(b) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and 
Management Act and implementing regulations at 50 CFR 600.920. We are 
also initiating consultation with the Maine State Historic Preservation 
Officer, as required by section 106 of the National Historic 
Preservation Act, and the implementing regulations of the Advisory 
Council on Historic Preservation at 36 CFR 800.2.
    k. With this notice, we are designating WMES as the Commission's 
non-federal representative for carrying out informal consultation 
pursuant to section 7 of the Endangered Species Act and section 305(b) 
of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act; and 
consultation pursuant to section 106 of the National Historic 
Preservation Act.
    l. WMES filed a Pre-Application Document (PAD; including a proposed 
process plan and schedule) with the Commission, pursuant to 18 CFR 5.6 
of the Commission's regulations.
    m. A copy of the PAD may be viewed and/or printed on the 
Commission's website (http://www.ferc.gov), using the ``eLibrary'' 
link. Enter the docket number, excluding the last three digits in the 
docket number field to access the document (P-15410). For assistance, 
contact FERC at FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov or call toll free, (886) 
208-3676 or TTY (202) 502-8659.
    n. You may 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, contact FERC 
Online Support.
    o. For public inquiries and assistance with making filings such as 
interventions, comments, or requests for rehearing, contact the Office 
of Public Participation at (202)502-6595 or OPP@ferc.gov.

(Authority: 18 CFR 2.1)

    Dated: April 13, 2026.
Debbie-Anne A. Reese,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2026-07445 Filed 4-15-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P