FERC Rejects Application for Hydro on McKenzie
Late yesterday FERC issued a letter rejecting the Preliminary Permit Application for the McKenzie
River Hydro Project (FERC P-13099) by Principle Power Hydro (read letter). In
the letter FERC stated that the application "patently fails to conform to the Commission's
regulations" and went on to cite several deficiencies with the application. We are pleased
that FERC agrees with our assessment that this was an incredibly poorly thought out application
and provided stakeholders with no meaningful information on what was being proposed.
The applicant supplied a vague proposal stating they would build eight or nine projects with no
additional details. We were all left scratching our heads as to what was actually going to be
constructed on the river. Although the applicant claimed no dam or reservoirs would be
built--just "weirs" and "head ponds"--it was hard to imagine squeezing 83 MW
out of the river given that the current Waterville-Leaburg Project (FERC P-2496) on the McKenzie
is only 23 MW and represents a fairly significant environmental footprint. Commission regulations
require an applicant to submit a complete description of each project including characteristics
of the dam, size of penstocks, powerhouse description, characteristics of reservoirs, description
of transmission lines, and characteristics of generators but none of this information was
provided. In addition applicants must provide a detailed map with all structures and not a vague
circle sketched over a long stretch of the McKenzie River. The applicant also failed to provide
names and addresses for interested entities affected by the proposal.
Despite claims by the applicant, our initial research has concluded that this project would not
qualify as "renewable energy" and would not be eligible for associated incentives for
development under Oregon State law. It also appears highly unlikely the project would qualify for
certification under the Low Impact Hydropower Institute which does not encourage construction of
new dams but rather focuses on improving operations at existing dams. In addition the Northwest
Power Planning Council designated this section of the McKenzie River as a "Protected
Area" in 1988 and BPA can not acquire hydropower from Protected Areas. Those who enjoy the
McKenzie River for whitewater recreation, fishing, hiking, and other pursuits know that this
river is a special place and one of the region's most treasured assets with a rich natural and
cultural history. It's hard to imagine that a utility could find a market for power produced by
new hydro development on this river but we will continue to track this project closely (explore
a map of the reach of river considered for this proposal).
Thomas O'Keefe
3537 NE 87th St.
Seattle, WA 98115