06/18/09

SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) _

Avista applied for a new license for the dams in 2005. The
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission approved the license on
Thursday after the utility reached agreement with conservation
groups, tribes and state officials over land use and wildlife
habitat efforts.

The Spokane River dams sit in Spokane, Stevens and Lincoln
counties in Washington, and in Idaho's Kootenai and Benewah
counties.

Together, they produce nearly 138 megawatts of power.

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