Pursuant to the Federal Power Act, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)
regulates certain aspects of non-Federal hydroelectric dams. FERC is required to ensure the
safety, stability. and integrity of these dams with the goal of protecting life, health, and
property from, among other things, instances of sabotage and vandalism. To meet these
requirements, FERC developed its Dam Safety and Security Programs to inspect and review
safety and security efforts for about 2,600 dams. Of this number, over 900 are considered so
significant or high hazard that if breached, loss of life and substantial economic and energy
production disruption could result.
