GP Big Island, LLC; Notice of Intent To File License Application, Filing of Pre-Application Document, and Approving Use of the Traditional Licensing Process

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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 164 (Wednesday, August 26, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 164 (Wednesday, August 26, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Page 55093]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-17396]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Project No. 2902-025]


GP Big Island, 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.: 2902-025.
    c. Dated Filed: July 8, 2026.
    d. Submitted By: GP Big Island, LLC (GP Big Island).
    e. Name of Project: Big Island Hydroelectric Project (Big Island 
Project).
    f. Location: The Big Island Project is located on the James River 
in Amherst and Bedford Counties, Virginia.
    g. Filed Pursuant to: 18 CFR 5.3 of the Commission's regulations.
    h. Applicant Contact: Jennifer Leonardo, Engineering Manager, GP 
Big Island, LLC 9909 Lee Jackson Highway, Big Island, VA 24526, 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#7e141b101017181b0c5016111212170d3e191f0e1f1d501d1113"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="4228272c2c2b2427306c2a2d2e2e2b310225233223216c212d2f">[email&#160;protected]</span></a>.
    i. FERC Contact: Silvia Pineda-Munoz at (202) 502-8388; or email at 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#7003191c0619115e00191e1514115d1d051e1f0a30161502135e171f06"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="5023393c2639317e20393e3534317d3d253e3f2a10363522337e373f26">[email&#160;protected]</span></a>.
    j. GP Big Island filed its request to use the Traditional Licensing 
Process on July 8, 2026, and provided public notice of its request on 
July 11, 2026. In a letter dated August 21, 2026, the Director of the 
Division of Hydropower Licensing approved GP Big Island'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 and/or NOAA Fisheries under section 
7 of the Endangered Species Act and the joint agency regulations 
thereunder at 50 CFR, Part 402; and NOAA Fisheries 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 State Historic Preservation Officer, Virginia 
Department of Historic Resources, 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 GP Big Island 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 section 106 of the National Historic Preservation 
Act.
    m. GP Big Island 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 
(<a href="http://www.ferc.gov">http://www.ferc.gov</a>), 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 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#03454651404c6d6f6a6d66507673736c717743656671602d646c75"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="63252631202c0d0f0a0d06301613130c111723050611004d040c15">[email&#160;protected]</span></a>, (866) 208-3676 (toll free), or (202) 502-
8659 (TTY).
    You may register online at <a href="https://ferconline.ferc.gov/FERCOnline.aspx">https://ferconline.ferc.gov/FERCOnline.aspx</a> 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 subsequent license for Project No. 2902. Pursuant to 
18 CFR 16.20 each application for a subsequent 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 September 
30, 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 <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#155a454555737067763b727a63"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="cd829d9d8daba8bfaee3aaa2bb">[email&#160;protected]</span></a>.

(Authority: 18 CFR 2.1)

    Dated: August 21, 2026.
Debbie-Anne A. Reese,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2026-17396 Filed 8-25-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P


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