| JANUARY 18, 2012 -- The Department of Agriculture has awarded more than $8 million to four hydro projects in Connecticut, Oregon, Utah and Vermont under the Rural Energy for America Program.
A .2 million loan went to EBD Hydro LLC, which is developing the 5-MW 45-Mile project on the North Unit Irrigation District’s main canal in Jefferson County, Ore. EBD also has received a .2 million loan from the Oregon Energy Department’s State Energy Loan Program for the estimated $15 million project.
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission issued EBD a conduit exemption from licensing for 45-Mile in 2010. The project includes a proposed intake structure; 2,700-foot-long, 96-inch-diameter penstock; and single-unit powerhouse. It is expected to generate 18.126 GWh annually using irrigation water diverted from the Deschutes and Crooked rivers.
Agriculture awarded a $500,000 grant to BMB Enterprises Inc. to help complete the 650-kW Six-Mile Creek project in Sanpete County, Utah. The project includes a diversion structure, powerhouse containing four turbine-generators and transmission lines. The grant is expected to be used to build transmission lines to Manti, Utah.
FERC issued an order to BMB in January 2012 granting an extension of time to October 2013 to complete Six-Mile Creek. Although BMB received a license for the project in 1987, it has been delayed due to interconnection agreements, property acquisition problems, permitting and rights of way.
Putnam Green Power LLC received a $275,000 grant for its proposed 875-kW Cargill Falls project on Quinebaug River in Putnam, Conn.
FERC received an application from Putnam in February 2011 for a maximum 5-MW exemption for Cargill Falls, which includes two existing concrete gravity dams, a 1.5-acre upper reservoir, and two powerhouses containing refurbished 530-kW and 345-kW turbine-generators. The federal grant is to finance refurbishment of the two turbines. When completed, the project is to generate 2.523 GWh annually.
Finally, Agriculture awarded a $49,325 grant to Green Mountain Environmental Consulting Inc. for the 65-kW Candelora project on Roaring Branch Brook in Bennington, Vt. In addition, the Candelora project has been accepted for processing by Vermont’s Sustainably Priced Energy Enterprise Development program, which offers above-market rates to renewable energy projects.
Green Mountain has filed an initial consultation document indicating it plans to seek a FERC exemption from licensing for Candelora, which would use existing Bennington Water Supply facilities, including a concrete dam and 4,400-foot-long penstock to a new powerhouse containing one turbine-generator. |
