2020-07577. Green Mountain Power Corporation; Notice of Application Accepted for Filing, Soliciting Comments, Motions to Intervene, and Protests

Take notice that the following hydroelectric application has been filed with the Commission and is available for public inspection:

a. Type of Application: Request for temporary variance of Article 402.

b. Project No.: 11478-020.

c. Date Filed: March 25, 2020.

d. Applicant: Green Mountain Power Corporation.

e. Name of Project: Silver Lake Hydroelectric Project.

f. Location: Sucker Brook in Addison County, Vermont.

g. Filed Pursuant to: Federal Power Act, 16 U.S.C. 791a-825r.

h. Applicant Contact: Ms. Beth Eliason, P.E, vhb, 40 IDX Drive Building 100, Suite 200, South Burlington, VT 05403, [phone].

i. FERC Contact: Mr. Jeremy Jessup, [phone], [e-mail].

j. Deadline for filing comments, motions to intervene, and protests, is 30 days from the issuance date of this notice by the Commission. The Commission strongly encourages electronic filing. Please file comments, motions to intervene, and protests 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/​doc-sfiling/​ecomment.asp. You must include your name and contact information at the end of your comments. For assistance, please contact FERC Online Support at [e-mail], [phone] (toll free), or [phone] (TTY). Persons unable to file electronically may mail similar pleadings to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street NE, Washington, DC 20426. Hand delivered submissions in docketed proceedings should be delivered to Health and Human Services, 12225 Wilkins Avenue, Rockville, Maryland 20852. The first page of any filing should include docket numbers P-11478-020.

The Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure require all intervenors filing documents with the Commission to serve a copy of that document on each person on the official service list for the project. Further, if an intervenor files comments or documents with the Commission relating to the merits of an issue that may affect the responsibilities of a particular resource agency, they must also serve a copy of the document on that resource agency.

k. Description of Request: The applicant proposes to temporarily modify the reservoir level elevation at the Sugar Hill reservoir for the remainder of 2020 due to dam safety concerns. The license is requesting to maintain the reservoir at the winter drawdown elevation of 1,747.5 feet mean sea level to reduce the safety risks associated with hydraulic head in the reservoir and resulting pressure on the concrete outlet structure. The licensee states that planned flow releases would meet or exceed the requirement to release 2.5 cubic feet per second, or inflow if less when the reservoir is at its summer minimum elevation. The applicant proposes this temporary modification until it can file and receive approval for an amendment to construct improvements to the conduit, which is expected to occur beginning in the spring of 2021.

l. Locations of the Application: In addition to publishing the full text of this document in the Federal Register, the Commission provides all interested persons an opportunity to view and/or print the contents of this document via the internet through the Commission's HomePage (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. 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. At this time, the Commission has suspended access to the Commission's Public Reference Room, due to the proclamation declaring a National Emergency concerning the Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19), issued by the President on March 13, 2020. For assistance, contact FERC at [e-mail] or call toll-free [phone] or TTY, call [phone].

m. Individuals desiring to be included on the Commission's mailing list should so indicate by writing to the Secretary of the Commission.

n. Comments, Motions to Intervene, or Protests: Anyone may submit comments, a motion to intervene, or a protest in accordance with the requirements of Rules of Practice and Procedure, 18 CFR 385.210, .211, .214. In determining the appropriate action to take, the Commission will consider all protests or other comments filed, but only those who file a motion to intervene in accordance with the Commission's Rules may become a party to the proceeding. Any comments, motions to intervene, or protests must be received on or before the specified comment date for the particular application.

o. Filing and Service of Responsive Documents: Any filing must (1) bear in all capital letters the title COMMENTS, MOTION TO INTERVENE, or PROTEST as applicable; (2) set forth in the heading the name of the applicant and the project number(s) of the application to which the filing responds; (3) furnish the name, address, and telephone number of the person intervening or protesting; and (4) otherwise comply with the requirements of 18 CFR 385.2001 through 385.2005. All comments, motions to intervene, or protests must set forth their evidentiary basis. A copy of all other filings in reference to this application must be accompanied by proof of service on all persons listed in the service list prepared by the Commission in this proceeding, in accordance with 385.2010.

Dated: April 6, 2020.

Kimberly D. Bose,

Secretary.