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3 rd Annual River Users Conference Blackstone Valley Tourism Council

3 rd Annual River Users Conference Blackstone Valley Tourism Council. Blackstone Hydropower Status Report. Tricia Jedele, Conservation Law Foundation Bruce DiGennaro, The Essex Partnership. Blackstone Hydro Goals & Objectives.

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3 rd Annual River Users Conference Blackstone Valley Tourism Council

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  1. 3rd Annual River Users ConferenceBlackstone Valley Tourism Council Blackstone Hydropower Status Report Tricia Jedele, Conservation Law Foundation Bruce DiGennaro, The Essex Partnership

  2. Blackstone Hydro Goals & Objectives Provide cost effective, environmentally sustainable, local renewable energy Protect & enhance environmental resources Advance Watershed Restoration Goals Fish passage & protection Water Quality & Instream Flows Maintain & enhance public access Protect & enhance cultural/historic resources 2

  3. 3

  4. Status Overview Phase I Completed (Dec. 2010) Preliminary Permit Applications Filed (Spring 2011) Manville (P-13944) - Valley Affordable Housing Ashton (P-14213) – Ashton Hydro LLC Albion (P-14212) – Albion Hydro LLC Elizabeth Webbing (P-14211) - RIDEM Phase II Investigation Initiated (Summer 2011) 4

  5. Phase I: Summary of Results 5

  6. Phase I: Summary of Results (contd) 6

  7. Next Steps (Phase II & Beyond) Finalize/Formalize Collaborative Structure (on-going) Initiate Formal Public Outreach and Regulatory Proceedings (Winter 2011-12) Environmental Assessment / Scoping / Studies (2012-13) Engineering & Optimization (2013) Detailed Project Configurations & Operational Protocols (2013) 8

  8. Environmental Considerations • Instream Flows / Water Quality • Fish Passage & Protection • Wetlands & Floodplains • Shoreline Erosion & Mgt. • RT&E spp. & Wildlife • Cultural, Historic & Aesthetic Resources • Recreational Resources

  9. Regulatory Requirements • FERC License or Exemption • 2-3 year process - extensive consultations & NEPA • State Approvals • S. 404 Waterways • S. 401 Water Quality Cert. • Wetlands Protection Act • Other • Electrical Interconnection Agreement • LIHI & DPUC (for REC’s) • Local Building & Zoning

  10. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) • Three Stage Consultation Process • Diverse Stakeholder Consultation Requirements • Environmental, Social, Economic & Power • Dam Safety • Clean Water Act (s. 401 & s. 404) • Typically 3+ yr process (pre-construction) • Consultations • Studies • Protection, Mitigation & Enhancement

  11. FERC / RI Hydropower MOU • Partners working with RI EDC to develop a MOU with FERC to streamline FERC process • Conceptually the MOU will: • Create state-level screening program to ID low impact hydro opportunities (RI Hydro) • Establish standards for environmental protection & performance • Simplify and streamline FERC review process for eligible projects

  12. Schedule • Complete Phase II Studies Winter 2012

  13. Thank-you Q&A

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