(a) It is hereby declared to be the established policy of this state to support and encourage the development of environmentally compatible small hydroelectric projects as a renewable energy source, provided that the projects do not result in surface disturbances within the following sensitive areas:
(1) Any component of the California Wild and Scenic Rivers System or the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System.
(2) Any river designated for study pursuant to Section 5(a) of the National Wild and Scenic River Act (16 U.S.C. 1276(a)). This paragraph shall not apply to any river which, upon the completion of the study, is not included in the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System.
(3) Any state or federally designated wilderness area.
(4) Any areas designated as a “Critical Condor Habitat” by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.
(b) State agencies shall not approve small hydroelectric development within the sensitive areas specified in subdivision (a).
(c) Significant adverse impacts associated with small hydroelectric projects shall be identified by those agencies responsible for the preparation of the environmental impact document.
(d) Emphasis on the development of small hydroelectric power generating facilities which are “qualifying small power production facilities” under Section 210 of the Public Utilities Regulatory Policies Act of 1978, shall be on existing dams, diversions, and canals with a sufficient drop so that power may be efficiently generated without significant environmental effects.
(e) For hydroelectric power generating facilities, the applicant shall demonstrate that project revenues will exceed project costs, including the cost of mitigation measures over the life of the project.
(f) Subdivisions (d) and (e) do not apply to projects with a nameplate capacity of less than 100 kilowatts.
(Amended by Stats. 1986, Ch. 807, Sec. 1.)
Last modified: October 25, 2018