Low Impact Certification means that the hydropower facility has been found by the Institute to meet or exceed the Institute’s Certification Criteria which address eight key areas: ecological flow regimes, water quality, upstream fish passage, downstream fish passage and protection, shoreline and watershed protection, threatened and endangered species protection, cultural and historic resource protection and recreational resources. Certification is designed to provide consumers with assurance that a facility has avoided or reduced their environmental impacts pursuant to the Low Impact Hydropower Institute’s criteria. Once certified, the owner or operator can market the power from the facility to consumers as produced by a LIHI certified Facility. Certification from the Institute may also qualify the power produced for other “green” energy certification programs.

Application Stages:

  1. Review in Process
  2. Public Comment Period
  3. Preliminary Decision
  4. Appeal Period
  5. Final Decision

Applications Under Review:

Cert No. Project Name River State(s) Review Status
10 Worumbo Androscoggin ME Review in process. Public comment period open July 12, 2018 – September 10, 2018.
N/A Opal Springs Crooked River OR Review in process. Public comment period closed.
32 Newton Falls Oswegatchie River NY Final Decision. Appeal period ended July 5, 2018.
105 Occum Shetucket CT Final Decision. Appeal period ended July 12, 2018.
106 Greenville Shetucket CT Final Decision. Appeal period ended July 12, 2018.
N/A Emeryville Oswegatchie NY Review in process. Public comment period closed.
4 Falls Creek Falls Creek OR Preliminary Decision. Appeal period ends July 21, 2018.
98 Weybridge Otter Creek VT Review in process. Public comment period closed.
N/A Brooklyn Dam Upper Ammonoosuc River NH Review in process. Public comment period closed.
N/A Willow Island Ohio River OH Review in process, awaiting additional information. Public comment period closed.
97 Cavendish Connecticut River VT Final Decision. Appeal period ended July 5, 2018.
99 Middlebury Lower Otter Creek VT Review in process, awaiting additional information. Public comment period closed.
N/A Essex 19 Winooski River VT Review in process, awaiting additional information. Public comment period closed.
92 Pierce Mills Passumpsic River VT Preliminary Decision. Appeal period ends August 11, 2018.
93 Arnold Falls Passumpsic River VT Preliminary Decision. Appeal period ends August 11, 2018.
94 Gage Passumpsic River VT Preliminary Decision. Appeal period ends August 11, 2018.
95 Passumpsic Passumpsic River VT Review in process. Public comment period open June 12, 2018 – August 11, 2018.