Today, Congressman Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael), Chair of the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water, Oceans, and Wildlife, released the following statement on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (FERC) decision to deny a request by a group of Northern California agencies to pause its application to take over the license for the Potter Valley Project:

“The Two Basin Partners have worked diligently to find common ground and resources to pursue a revitalized Potter Valley Project – but we always knew that this would be a major challenge. Today’s ruling by FERC is just a new chapter in seeking a Two Basin Solution, and I am committed to doing the hard work needed to achieve that end. This partnership and the stakeholders in the Eel and Russian river basins are strong and ready to take on a new challenge,” said Huffman.

Congressman Huffman has played an active role in the matter, having facilitated initial discussions to create a Two Basin Solution for the project and establishing the Potter Valley Project Ad Hoc Committee in 2018. The Two-Basin Partnership includes California Trout, Humboldt County, the Mendocino County Inland Water & Power Commission, the Round Valley Indian Tribes and Sonoma County Water Agency.