News 
July-September 2004
| News Release: July 23, 2004 | 
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| Docket Number: P-2114-117 | |
Generation Increase Approved for Western Hydro Project,
Enhanced Fish Passage
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) today cleared the
way for the Priest Rapids Hydroelectric Project on the Columbia
River in Washington to increase the installed capacity of its Wanapum
development by some 15 percent, from 900 megawatts (MW) to 1038
MW.
The increase in generation will occur when the licensee of
the project, Public Utility District No. 2 of Grant County, begins
operating and testing a new advanced turbine unit that will increase
efficiency, increase power output, and include design features
to improve fish passage through the units. This process will
be completed over eight years.
"I am pleased that PUD No. 2 of Grant County was able
to use new technology to both increase capacity and protect the
fish. We need more clean power in the country, while we conserve
our valuable natural resources. This is a win-win for everyone,"
commented Pat Wood, III, Chairman of the FERC.
Grant County requested Commission
approval to replace 10 existing turbines, which were at the end
of their useful life, with new
advanced turbine units developed by the Department of Energy
to provide power benefits and to improve survival of downstream
migrating juvenile salmon. The installation and operation of
these turbines represent the first commercial application of
this technology.
Today’s action was accomplished in coordination
with the Washington Department of Ecology, Washington Department
of
Fish and Wildlife, National Marine Fisheries Service, U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service and the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish
Commission.
R-04-29
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