The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) licensing process is designed to ensure thorough environmental review, regulatory coordination, and stakeholder engagement. The formal process began in 2025 with early coordination among stakeholders and agencies. Review of initial study plans and their implementation commenced in 2026.
The process includes extensive field studies, ongoing collaboration with state and federal agencies, and multiple opportunities for stakeholder input. The WMES project has been approved for use of the Traditional Licensing Process under FERC, which allows for greater engagement with stakeholders and agencies outside the formal FERC-coordinated meetings, which will still occur in 2027. The TLP occurs in three main phases.
Please see our engagement calendar below for opportunities to connect with our team, provide valued input, and learn more about how this project can benefit your community.
These efforts will support the development and submission of a detailed license application, inclusive of an environmental assessment. The FERC license is expected to be submitted in draft in the third quarter of 2027 with final license application submittal expected in late fourth quarter 2027. Maine Department of Environmental Protection and the US Army Corps of Engineers will also receive applications for licenses. Decisions from the agencies are expected by 2029.
For any questions related to the project, please contact [email protected].
| Task | Estimated Date of Completion |
|---|---|
| Complete PAD, NOI and TLP request submittal | January 2026 - COMPLETED |
| Receive FERC approval on TLP | February 2026 |
| Hold Joint Agency Meeting | February 2026 (will be held as informal meeting if TLP not yet approved via FERC) |
| Continuing with individual Agency/Stakeholder Meetings for review of known site conditions and finalization of Study Plans | February 2026 – April 2026 |
| Continuing Field Studies and Agency/Stakeholder Coordination | Spring 2026 – Spring 2027 |
| Final Agency/Stakeholder Meetings – review of field data and gap analysis | Fall 2026 – Winter 2027 |
| Follow up field studies as needed | Spring 2027 – Fall 2027 |
| Draft License Application Development | May 2027 – September 2027 |
| Stakeholder Review of Draft License Application | October 2027 |
| Review of comments with FERC and Stakeholders | November 2027 |
| Submit Final License to FERC Application | December 2027 |
| Submit required State (Maine DEP) and Federal (Army Corp of Engineers) environmental authorizations as required | December 2027 or as requirements are finalized through stakeholder engagement process |
| Receive FERC/Maine DEP/ACOE authorizations | Second Quarter of 2029 |
Note: This schedule is a high-level summary of the process WMES intends to take to facilitate coordination with agencies and completion of a thorough evaluation of the site to support the FERC License Application and requirements of supporting State and Federal agencies. Refinement of the schedule will be included in the PAD to be filed in early 2026.
| Date | Document Title |
|---|---|
| 2/13/2026 | FERC NOI PAD Submittal |
| 4/16/2026 | WMES JAM 04162026 Slides |
For more information, see the FERC e-library
