Hydroelectric Plants Along Otter Tail River Up For Relicensing

The license for our five hydroelectric plants along the Otter Tail River will expire on November 30, 2021. We'll hold a public open house on April 18 as one of our first steps in the five-year Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) relicensing process.

About the plants

The hydroelectric plants up for relicensing include:

• Dayton Hollow
• Hoot Lake
• Pisgah
• Taplin Gorge (Friberg)
• Wright (Central)

The plants generate approximately 1 percent of the electricity with which we serve our customers. Two of the plants have been in service for more than a century. “Hydroelectric plants are valued for their longevity, reliability, and ability to provide renewable energy,” said Otter Tail Power Company Principal Engineer Michael Olson.

About the open house

We'll hold the open house at the Bigwood Event Center on Monday, April 18, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Displays will highlight hydroelectric plant locations, the FERC relicensing process, and approximate dates within that process when the company is able to invite the public to share thoughts. “We want to fully engage interested stakeholders in the relicensing process to ensure we fulfill our commitments to environmental, economic, and community stewardship,” said Olson. “Otter Tail Power Company is headquartered in Fergus Falls. So, the future of these plants will impact our company and our family, friends, and neighbors. It’s important to us to inform and involve the community early in this process, which is why we’re holding this open house.”

If you’re unable to attend, you'll be able to find the information at otpco.com/hydro after the open house.

Landowner notification

We're making every effort to mail open house invitations to property owners along any reservoirs that may be affected.