Pacific Gas and Electric Company; Notice of Application Accepted for Filing and Soliciting Comments, Motions to Intervene, and Protests

<NOTICE> DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY <SUBAGY>Federal Energy Regulatory Commission</SUBAGY> <DEPDOC>[P-2735-105]</DEPDOC> <SUBJECT>Pacific Gas and Electric Company; Notice of Application Accepted for Filing and Soliciting Comments, Motions to Intervene, and Protests</SUBJECT> Take notice that the following hydroelectric application has been filed with the Commission and is available for public inspection. a. <E T="03">Type of Application:</E> Amendment of license to replace and refurbish pump/generator units. b. <E T="03">Project No.:</E> 2735-105. c. <E T="03">Date Filed:</E> May 30, 2025. d. <E T="03">Applicant:</E> Pacific Gas and Electric Company. e. <E T="03">Name of Project:</E> Helms Pumped Storage Project. f. <E T="03">Location:</E> The project is located on the North Fork Kings River and Helms Creek in Fresno County, California. g. <E T="03">Filed Pursuant to:</E> Federal Power Act, 16 U.S.C. 791 (a)-825(r). h. <E T="03">Applicant Contact:</E> Mr. Dave Gabbard, Pacific Gas and Electric Company, Vice President, Power Generation, 300 Lakeside Drive, Oakland, CA 94612. i. <E T="03">FERC Contact:</E> Mr. Steven Sachs, (202) 502-8666, <E T="03">Steven.Sachs@ferc.gov</E> . j. <E T="03">Cooperating agencies:</E> With this notice, the Commission is inviting federal, state, local, and Tribal agencies with jurisdiction and/or special expertise with respect to environmental issues affected by the proposal, that wish to cooperate in the preparation of any environmental document, if applicable, to follow the instructions for filing such requests described in item l. below. Cooperating agencies should note the Commission's policy that agencies that cooperate in the preparation of any environmental document cannot also intervene. <E T="03">See</E> 94 FERC ¶ 61,076 (2001). k. <E T="03">Water Quality Certification:</E> The applicant must file no later than 60 days following the date of issuance of this notice: (1) a copy of the water quality certification; (2) a copy of the request for certification, including proof of the date on which the certifying agency received the request; or (3) evidence of waiver of water quality certification. l. <E T="03">Deadline for filing comments, motions to intervene, and protests:</E> December 22, 2025, 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time. The Commission strongly encourages electronic filing. Please file comments, motions to intervene, and protests using the Commission's eFiling system at <E T="03">http://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/efiling.asp.</E> Commenters can submit brief comments up to 6,000 characters, without prior registration, using the eComment system at <E T="03">http://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/ecomment.asp.</E> For assistance, please contact FERC Online Support at <E T="03">FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov,</E> (866) 208-3676 (toll free), or (202) 502-8659 (TTY). In lieu of electronic filing, you may submit a paper copy. Submissions sent via the U.S. Postal Service must be addressed to: Debbie-Anne A. Reese, Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street NE, Room 1A, Washington, DC 20426. Submissions sent via any other carrier must be addressed to: Debbie-Anne A. Reese, Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 12225 Wilkins Avenue, Rockville, Maryland 20852. The first page of any filing should include the docket number P-2735-105. Comments emailed to Commission staff are not part of the Commission record. 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 whose name appears 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. m. <E T="03">Description of Request:</E> The applicant requests to amend its license to replace all three pump/turbines and refurbish each motor/generator. The changes would result in an increase in the hydraulic capacities from 7,530 to 8,640 cubic feet per second (cfs) while pumping and 10,500 to 12,050 cfs while generating. The proposal would also result in an increase in electrical consumption from 1,035 to 1,170 megawatts (MW) while pumping and increase production from 1,212 to 1,392 MW while generating. Construction activities would occupy a total of approximately 8.2 acres of land and may require temporary interruptions of access to recreation facilities along Powerhouse Road including the Wishon boat ramp, the Helms Picnic Area, and the Short Hair Creek fishing access. Construction is expected to take 3 years and would commence in 2029. n. <E T="03">Locations of the application:</E> This filing may be viewed on the Commission's website at <E T="03">http://www.ferc.gov</E> 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 <E T="03">http://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/esubscription.asp</E> to be notified via email of new filings and issuances related to this or other pending projects. For assistance, call 1-866-208-3676 or email <E T="03">FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov,</E> for TTY, call (202) 502-8659. o. Individuals desiring to be included on the Commission's mailing list should so indicate by writing to the Secretary of the Commission. p. <E T="03">Comments, Protests, or Motions to Intervene:</E> Anyone may submit comments, a protest, or a motion to intervene in accordance with the requirements of Rules of Practice and Procedure, 18 CFR 385.210, .211, .214, respectively. 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, protests, or motions to intervene must be received on or before the specified comment date for the particular application. q. <E T="03">Filing and Service of Documents:</E> Any filing must: (1) bear in all capital letters the title “COMMENTS”, “PROTEST”, or “MOTION TO INTERVENE” as applicable; (2) set forth in the heading the name of the applicant and the project number of the application to which the filing responds; (3) furnish the name, address, and telephone number of the person commenting, protesting or intervening; 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. Any filing made by an intervenor 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 18 CFR 385.2010. r. 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 <E T="03">OPP@ferc.gov.</E> <SIG> <DATED>Dated: November 21, 2025.</DATED> <DATED>Debbie-Anne A. Reese,</DATED> Secretary. </SIG> <FRDOC>[FR Doc. 2025-21327 Filed 11-26-25; 8:45 am]</FRDOC> </NOTICE>