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Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s Revised Dam Safety Requirement
New FERC Regulations: What You Need to Know
In 2022, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) revised 18 CFR Part 12 under Order 880, introducing a new process for Independent Consultant (IC) inspections. New chapters of the FERC Engineering Guidelines were released to clarify these updates.
According to the new rules, Part 12 inspections will alternate between Periodic Inspections (PI) and Comprehensive Assessments (CA) every five years. The regulations also introduced a framework for conducting risk analyses. As part of the CA process, a Level 2 Risk Analysis (L2RA) is now required. Additionally, other risk analyses like Level 1 Screening Level Risk Analyses (SLRA), Semi-Quantitative Risk Analyses (SQRA; Level 3), or Quantitative Risk Analyses (QRA; Level 4) may be conducted as needed.
We can ensure you stay informed and compliant with these important regulatory changes.
FERC Approved Independent Consultants
Qualified CA Risk Assessment Facilitators
Assistant Independent Consultants
Our dam safety professionals are supported by 50 SMEs who have more than 10 years of hydropower experience in civil, structural, geotechnical, hydraulic, mechanical, and electrical engineering.
Most of our SMEs spent their entire careers at Kleinschmidt and/or in the hydropower industry.
Meeting FERC's Enhanced Risk Requirements
Kleinschmidt's dam safety professionals consistently assess risks, with all ICs qualified to lead PFMAs. The new FERC requirements now mandate additional SQRA training for ICs before facilitating risk analyses or leading IC Teams. Senior specialists Kim Hansen, Nick Ciomei, and Chris Vella have completed the necessary training in Leveraging Potential Failure Mode Analysis for Semi-Quantitative Risk Analysis and its Fundamentals.
With an average of 25 years in dam safety engineering, they have conducted over 125 Part 12 safety inspections and facilitated or participated in more than 65 PFMAs. Kleinschmidt’s facilitators offer flexibility and cost savings as PFMA and risk facilitators, ICs, or SMEs.
Get to know our FERC Approved IC's
Kleinschmidt’s dam safety team and each of the core engineering disciplines’ strengths will ensure that you have qualified ICs and SMEs available for multiple projects each year, including more extensive CAs and PIs.
Additionally, our pipeline of dam safety engineers provides security for long-term support. Kleinschmidt is aware of the importance of your dam safety program with the evolving FERC regulations pertaining to Part 12 safety inspections. We will prioritize your inspections accordingly.