Holtwood and Safe Harbor dams on the Susquehanna River, Lancaster and York counties
Brookfield's Holtwood and Safe Harbor hydroelectric dams on the lower Susquehanna, about 670 megawatts together, are the first plants under a Google deal for up to 3,000 megawatts of hydropower, and both are being relicensed by FERC.
Holtwood, the oldest of the three big lower Susquehanna dams, was built from 1905 to 1910 and gained a second powerhouse adding 125 megawatts in 2013; it's rated at about 252 megawatts. Safe Harbor was built in 1930, began operating in 1931 and is rated at 417.5 megawatts. Both current FERC licenses were issued August 14, 1980. FERC gave advance notice of Holtwood's August 31, 2030 expiration on August 30, 2024, and Brookfield filed Holtwood's notice of intent on April 2, 2025. Public scoping meetings were held June 25, 2025. On July 15, 2025, Brookfield and Google announced a Hydro Framework Agreement for up to 3,000 megawatts, with 20-year contracts for Holtwood and Safe Harbor as the first deals. Proposed study plans were filed September 11, 2025, FERC issued study plan determinations February 10, 2026, and study progress reports were filed August 14, 2026.
The contracts dedicate output from two existing plants to Google. Utility Dive noted that PJM's supply is tight partly because of data centers, and that PJM's market monitor, Joseph Bowring, has urged FERC to require data centers to bring new generation rather than rely on existing resources.
Utility DiveFish passage was suspended at both dams for the 2026 season, according to Brookfield's January 6, 2026 filings, and river flows, fish passage and recreation are being studied in relicensing, with state and federal agencies and the Lower Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association filing comments on the study plans.
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission eLibraryBrookfield reported to FERC leakage observed starting February 18, 2026 near Unit 7 at Holtwood's legacy powerhouse, and FERC's dam safety staff review annual surveillance reports for both dams.
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission eLibraryTactics: Filed comments with FERC on Holtwood's pre-application document (July 31, 2025), proposed study plan (December 15, 2025) and revised study plan (January 27, 2026).
Takes part in relicensing as a watchdog; it hasn't been reported as opposing the Google contracts.
Relicensing of the Holtwood Hydroelectric Project, whose current license expires August 31, 2030.
BIF III Holtwood LLC (Brookfield Renewable); state and federal agencies; Lower Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association; American Whitewater; others · Studies under way; study progress report filed August 14, 2026Relicensing of the Safe Harbor Hydroelectric Project, whose current license expires April 22, 2030. The filed date shown is the proposed study plan filing.
Safe Harbor Water Power Corporation (Brookfield Renewable); state and federal agencies; others · Studies under way; study plan determination issued February 10, 2026In Pennsylvania, the local zoning ordinance sets the route. A conditional use is decided by the elected governing body (supervisors, commissioners or council). A special exception or variance, and an appeal of a zoning officer’s decision, go to the Zoning Hearing Board. Each is a public hearing on a record: affected neighbors can ask for party status, cross-examine witnesses, and appeal. Municipalities can also adopt data center ordinances with enforceable standards.
Know your rights →Organized community opposition is the single most effective check on these projects in Pennsylvania. Show up to hearings, submit comment when it is taken, support legal and expert-witness costs, and press your municipality for a real ordinance. Pennsylvania municipalities cannot simply freeze applications, but a curative amendment under the Planning Code gives them a defined window to fix a defective ordinance.
How communities push back →