Legal Case Summary

Turlock Irrigation District v. FERC


Date Argued: Mon May 14 2018
Case Number: 16-71380
Docket Number: 6673465
Judges:Thomas, Friedland, Zilly
Duration: 43 minutes
Court Name: Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit

Case Summary

### Case Summary: Turlock Irrigation District v. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) **Docket Number:** 6673465 **Court:** U.S. Court of Appeals (Subject to verification of the specific court handling the case) **Date:** [Insert Date Here] **Parties:** - **Petitioner:** Turlock Irrigation District (TID) - **Respondent:** Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) #### Background: Turlock Irrigation District (TID) filed a petition for review against a decision made by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). The case arose from disputes surrounding TID's hydropower licensing and operational practices on the Tuolumne River in California, where TID operates a hydroelectric project. #### Legal Issues: The primary legal issues in this case revolve around FERC's authority in regulating hydroelectric projects, TID's compliance with federal licensing requirements, and disputes over environmental regulations concerning water use and conservation. Specifically, TID challenged FERC's imposition of conditions that TID believed were unnecessary or overly burdensome for the operation of their hydroelectric facilities. #### Arguments: - **TID's Position:** The Turlock Irrigation District argued that FERC’s requirements were excessive, asserting that they complied with existing environmental laws and regulations. They contended that the imposed conditions would significantly hinder their operational efficiency and financial viability. - **FERC's Position:** The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission defended its decision by stating that the conditions imposed were essential for ensuring environmental protection and sustainability. FERC argued that it had the statutory authority to regulate hydroelectric projects to ensure compliance with federal environmental standards. #### Holding: The court’s decision regarding the case will address whether FERC acted within its jurisdiction and authority in imposing the conditions on TID’s operating license and to what extent TID is required to comply with federal regulations relating to environmental conservation and water rights. #### Conclusion: The outcome of Turlock Irrigation District v. FERC is significant for both the regulatory landscape governing hydroelectric projects and the balance between energy production and environmental protection. This case presents critical implications for public utilities and regulatory bodies involved in energy production and distribution within environmentally sensitive regions. **Note:** The specifics regarding the ruling, including dates and additional legal precedents, would need to be included once they are available or determined from the court records.

Turlock Irrigation District v. FERC


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