2020-15864. Dominion Energy South Carolina, Inc.; 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.: 2535-126.

c. Date Filed: May 15, 2020.

d. Submitted By: Dominion Energy South Carolina, Inc.

e. Name of Project: Stevens Creek Hydroelectric Project.

f. Location: At the confluence of Stevens Creek and the Savannah River, in Edgefield and McCormick Counties, South Carolina, and Columbia County, Georgia. The project occupies approximately 104 acres of federal land administered by the U.S. Forest Service.

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

h. Potential Applicant Contact: Amy Bresnahan, Dominion Energy South Carolina, Inc., 220 Operation Way, Mail Code A221, Cayce, SC 29033-3712; [phone]; email—[e-mail].

i. FERC Contact: Sarah Salazar at [phone]; or email at [e-mail].

j. Dominion Energy South Carolina, Inc. filed its request to use the Traditional Licensing Process on May 15, 2020. Dominion Energy South Carolina, Inc. provided public notice of its request on May 13 and 14, 2020. In a letter dated July 16, 2020, the Director of the Division of Hydropower Licensing approved Dominion Energy South Carolina, Inc.'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. We are also initiating consultation with the South Carolina and Georgia State Historic Preservation Officers, 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.

l. With this notice, we are designating Dominion Energy South Carolina, Inc. 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. Dominion Energy South Carolina, Inc. 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 (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. The PAD is also available on the applicant's project website at www.stevenscreekrelicense.com. 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 Online Support at [e-mail], [phone] (toll free), or [phone] (TTY).

o. The licensee states its unequivocal intent to submit an application for a new license for Project No. 2535-126. 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, 2023.

p. Register online at http://www.ferc.gov/​docs-filing/​esubscription.asp to be notified via email of new filing and issuances related to this or other pending projects. For assistance, contact FERC Online Support.

Dated: July 16, 2020.

Nathaniel J. Davis, Sr.,

Deputy Secretary.