[obol] FW: Hydro Project at Summer Lake and Abert Lake

Mon Mar 24 12:17:04 PDT 2008

Obolers:  Summer Lake and Abert Lake need our help.  I just found out about this Hydro project this weekend while visiting the area and was shocked at the proposal.  We only have until April 4th to make comments.  I have attached some additional information regarding this crazy proposal.
Thanks,

Jeff Cooney
COCC

________________________________

From: summerlakehotsprings at msn.com [mailto:summerlakehotsprings at msn.com]
Sent: Sat 3/22/2008 6:44 PM
To: Jeff Cooney
Subject: FW: Hydro Project at Summer Lake

Jeff,

     Thanks for taking interest in this and doing what we need to do to halt this thing right now. This woman Julie would be a good contact also as well as the other people in the letter.     Talk with you later.

     Regards,
        Duane

Duane Graham
Summer Lake Hot Springs
Fremont Hwy
Paisley, Oregon 97636
541-943-3931

> From: julie.m at comcast.net
> To: julie.m at comcast.net
> Subject: Hydro Project at Summer Lake
> Date: Mon, 17 Mar 2008 21:16:32 +0000
> 
> Hi all,
> 
> This email asks you to consider helping us fight a pumped storage hydroelectric project proposed for the Summer Lake Valley. We are writing to you because you have visited us at Summer Lake, or because we believe you would support our goal to prevent the project from going forward.
> 
> We would like you to take 5 minutes to read about the project, then to submit a comment letter (attached) via the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) website. The deadline for submitting comments is April 4, 2008.
> 
> At this point in the process, the most important step is to put the developer on notice that there already exists significant citizen concern over their application. (Please forward this email.)
> 
> *******************************************
> Project Description:
> 
> NT Hydro, an Idaho based development firm, has applied to FERC for a preliminary permit to construct a pumped storage hydroelectric project in the Summer Lake Valley (P-13050). The company would dredge a large sump in the shallow lakebed (which would collect the small seasonal water that normally spreads thinly over the lakebed) and build an 80-acre reservoir near the edge of Winter Rim (about 2600' above the lake). The alkali water would be pumped uphill during the night when electric rates are low, stored in the reservoir, then released during the daytime to generate electricity when rates are high. Their profit would come from the difference between the two rates.
> 
> The project would require a large powerhouse with 2 turbines, two 8-ft diameter pipes running from the lake up the ridge, and 12 miles of transmission line running along the edge of the lake to connect to the grid.
> 
> Our Objections:
> 
> While we understand the goal to find alternative sources of energy and the valid benefit of flattening the peak-offpeak use curve, we object to the project for the following reasons.
> 
> Because it takes more power to pump water uphill than can be regained running it back down the ridge, pumped storage plants use more power than they generate, and are a net energy loss. We feel the peak-use spike should be flattened by changes in our patterns of consumption first, or by generating renewable energy (wind would be perfect here) rather than via a project that uses more energy than it generates.
> 
> This project would also be an environmental disaster.
> 
> NT Hydro claims Summer Lake has a storage capacity of 320,000 acre-ft. In fact, studies by the USGS (1971) and the ODFW (1998) measured the actual average lake capacity of Summer Lake at 25,000 acre-ft and 28,000 acre-ft respectively.
> 
> Summer Lake is a closed-basin shallow alkali lake (maximum depth 2.8 ft.) that recedes in summer months exposing the dry lakebed. Withdrawal for irrigation already exacerbates problems with alkali dust from the lakebed and has negatively impacted bird life in this section of their annual migration corridor. NT Hydro's proposal to sink a large sump in the lake as well as withdrawing 2,000 acre-feet to fill a reservoir on the adjacent rim would drastically increase the area of exposed lakebed - especially in summer months when the capacity of the lake is well below its annual average of 25-28,000 acre-ft.
> 
> This real depletion of water from Summer Lake would:
> 1. increase alkali dust, to the detriment of public health,
> 2. reduce wetlands and migratory bird habitat, 
> 3. negatively impact the fragile ecosystem of the entire valley,
> 4. permanently impair the ability of the lake to hold water in the future, and
> 5. diminish the slow gains in the region's economy derived from the promotion of the "Oregon Outback."
> 
> In addition, the austere beauty of Summer Lake Valley would be severely comprised by such an intrusive development project. We were initially attracted to the Summer Lake Valley because of its rare combination of elements: its remote beauty, dark nights, and quiet. In fact, the valley is one of the few remaining areas without significant light or noise pollution. Both light and noise travel enormous distances in this vast landscape. 
> 
> The two constantly whining turbines and the high-intensity security lighting of the proposed powerhouse would eliminate the dark and quiet of this relatively untouched natural setting. The proposed transmission lines would be a huge eyesore along the most-travelled portion of the valley floor.
> 
> ****************************************** 
> Two Steps To Help
> 
> Again, at this point, our goal is to put NT Hydro on notice that this area is not an easy target because no one lives here, and that there is already citizen concern.
> 
> 1. First, draft your comments. We have attached a comment letter that you can use, or better yet, modify or replace it with a sentence or two of your own. A few sentences are all that are needed-the fact of submitting a comment is most important.
> 
> 2. Then, go to the FERC website, and submit your comment. First, print out and follow our attached step-by-step instructions -- the process is quite simple. You do NOT need to e-register, just be able to access your email for a one-step security verification. (It stops people like us submitting on others' behalf!!)
> 
> Then, pat yourself on the back and accept our thanks!!
> 
> ********************************************
> 
> Further Steps to Consider
> 
> 1. Forward this information to anyone you think may be interested or willing to submit a comment to FERC (partners, friends, colleagues, family) including any organizations with which you are affiliated.
> 
> 2. Print your comment and send it directly to 
> NT Hydro
> 2742 Saint Charles Ave., 
> Idaho Falls, ID 83404
> 
> 3. Consider joining us in our motion to intervene in the proceedings. By becoming legal parties we will have standing to participate in the process at a later date and will receive progress reports and notices of proposed amendments to the project. By increasing the number of stakeholders, we strengthen our intervention and deter NT Hydro from pitting stakeholders against each other. (Please let us know asap if you are even considering joining the intervention at julie.m at comcast.net).
> 
> ****************************************
> 
> To See NT Hydro's Application 
> 
> Go to http://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/elibrary.asp, click on Docket Search. Enter Docket Number P-13050 and submit. Scroll down to 12/10/2007, and click on NT Hydro Submits the Revised Preliminary Permit Application. . .
> 
> We found we needed to allow a pop-up to view the document. We also continue to find that we can only (but always) open the document on the second attempt.
> 
> This site is where all documents relating to the process can be viewed, including the comments you submit.
> 
> 
> The text of this email is attached for easier print out.
> 
> 
> --
> Julie Bryant
> 2888 Arline Way
> Eugene, OR 97403

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