January 2026

PG&E’s Files Temporary Flow Amendment (Variance) to FERC for Potter Valley Project

On January 30th, PG&E filed a request for a Temporary Flow Amendment (Variance) for the Potter Valley Hydroelectric Project, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) No. 77. In 2023, PG&E determined that the seismic risk to Scott Dam is greater than previously understood and a 10-ft elevation restriction was placed on Lake Pillsbury reservoir indefinitely, reducing the water storage capacity from approximately 70,800 acre-ft (AF) to 52,600 AF for safety purposes. This loss of 18,200 AF of potential storage above the spillway further compounds the challenges to meet license-required flows. This has resulted in annual flow  amendments (variances) that reduce minimum instream flow requirements to the East Branch Russian River during summer months. PG&E is also pursuing a license amendment for long term permanent flow requirement changes. A filing was made a year ago but PG&E provided notification that it would be supplementing the license amendment application, which is underway. PG&E has requested this temporary variance be approved by FERC no later than May 25, 2026, which would be 2 full months prior to the 2025 approval and implementation.

2026, 1-31 PG&E 2026 Flow Variance Request to FERC ( ).pdf