Transcript Document

Susquehanna River Hydroelectric Projects
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Shawn A. Seaman
September 27, 2010
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Susquehanna River Hydroelectric Projects
Five Major Hydroelectric Facilities on the Lower
Susquehanna River:
• York Haven (Olympus Power)
– FERC License Exp. 2014
• Safe Harbor (PPL/Constellation)
– FERC License Exp. 2030
• Holtwood (PPL)
– FERC License amended to 2030
• Muddy Run Pump/Storage (Exelon)
– FERC License Exp. 2014
• Conowingo (Exelon)
- FERC License Exp. 2014
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Susquehanna River Hydroelectric Projects
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Susquehanna River Hydroelectric Projects
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Susquehanna River Hydroelectric Projects
Consequences of Dams
• Blocked migration of American shad,
River Herring, Sturgeon, American Eel,
etc.
• Project operations affect habitat within
the watershed
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Susquehanna River Hydroelectric Projects
History of Upstream Passage
1972 - Conowingo West Fish Lift
1991 - Conowingo East Fish Lift
1997 - Fish Lifts at Holtwood and Safe Harbor
2000 - Vertical-slot ladder in operation at York Haven
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200,000
Susquehanna River Hydroelectric Projects
150,000
100,000
Conowingo
Holtwood
Safe Harbor
York Haven
50,000
0
1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
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Susquehanna River Hydroelectric Projects
FERC Relicensing
• Holtwood received license amendment,
to make major modifications, increase
generation and improve fish passage
• York Haven, Muddy Run, and Conowingo
started re-licensing in 2009 (2014)
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Susquehanna River Hydroelectric Projects
Study Requests
• Cooperative effort of:
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Maryland DNR,
Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission,
Pennsylvania DEP
Susquehanna River Basin Commission
US Fish & Wildlife Service
• Concerns
– Environmental,
– Fisheries / biological, and
– Recreation
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Susquehanna River Hydroelectric Projects
Conowingo/Muddy Run Studies
• 32 Pre-licensing studies: Ongoing (2010-2011)
– Fish passage (including eels): efficiency & capacity
– Flow management: minimum flows & pond levels
– Recreation and land management
– Water quality: D.O. / sediments / nutrients
– Biological surveys: mussels, sturgeon, eagles, etc.
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Susquehanna River Hydroelectric Projects
The Challenge?
• To gather all necessary data / information
during the study period in order to develop
well-informed, adaptive, licensing conditions
This process will ultimately establish the fate of
Susquehanna River fish stocks at least through
the year 2044!! (Maybe 2064??)
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