Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation; Notice of Intent To File License Application, Filing of Pre-Application Document, 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.: 11617-003.

c. Date Filed: September 2, 2026.

d. Submitted By: Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation.

e. Name of Project: Varick-High Dam #21 Transmission Line Project.

f. Location: City of Oswego, Oswego County, New York.

g. Filed Pursuant to:18 CFR 5.3 of the Commission's regulations.

h. Potential Applicant Contact: Meredithe Mathias, 300 Erie Boulevard West, Syracuse, NY 13202; telephone at (518) 521-8700; email at meredithe.mathias@nationalgrid.com.

i. FERC Contact: Nicholas Ettema, Project Coordinator, Great Lakes Branch, Division of Hydropower Licensing; telephone at (312) 596-4447; email at nicholas.ettema@ferc.gov.

j. Niagara Mohawk filed its request to use the Traditional Licensing Process on September 2, 2026. Niagara Mohawk provided public notice of its request on August 27, 2026. In a letter dated October 26, 2026, the Director of the Division of Hydropower Licensing approved Niagara Mohawk's request to use the Traditional Licensing Process.

k. With this notice, we are initiating informal consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under section 7 of the Endangered Species Act and the joint agency regulations thereunder at 50 CFR, Part 402. We are also initiating consultation with the New York State Historic Preservation Officer, as required by section 106, National Historic Preservation Act, and the implementing regulations of the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation at 36 CFR 800.2.

l. With this notice, we are designating Niagara Mohawk as the Commission's non-federal representative for carrying out informal consultation pursuant to section 7 of the Endangered Species Act and consultation pursuant to section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act.

m. Niagara Mohawk 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.

n. A copy of the PAD may be viewed on the Commission's website ( 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. For assistance, contact FERC Online Support at FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov, (866) 208-3676 (toll free), or (202) 502-8659 (TTY).

Register online at ferconline.ferc.gov/​FERCOnline.aspx to be notified via email of new filings and issuances related to this or other pending projects. For assistance, contact FERC Online Support.

o. The licensee states its unequivocal intent to submit an application for a new license for Project No. 11617-003. Pursuant to 18 CFR 16.8, 16.9, and 16.10 each application for a new license and any competing license applications must be filed with the Commission at least 24 months prior to the expiration of the existing license. All applications for license for this project must be filed by October 31, 2029.

p. 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)