Kilarc-Cow Creek Hydroelectric Project Decommissioning
FERC Project No. 606
Technical Meeting
May 16, 2007, 1-4 pm
Red Lion
Redding, CA
2
Agenda
• Introductions/Review Agenda
• Overview of Project and Decommissioning Agreement
• Relicensing Studies
• BREAK
• Regulatory Permits
• Next Steps
3
Meeting Process
4
PG&E is Committed to Decommissioning the Project
• Including:
– Complying with the Project Agreement on Decommissioning
– Returning diverted flow to the streams and transferring PG&E water rights to a resource agency or other entity to protect, preserve and/or enhance aquatic resources
– Timely preparation of a Decommissioning Plan and Surrender Application
– Timely implementation of the Decommissioning Plan following FERC approval of the Surrender Application
5
Overview of Project and Decommissioning Agreement
• Overview of Project
• Project Agreement
• Proposed Schedule for Decommissioning Process
• Surrender Application Content and Process
6
Overview of Project
Primary Project Features
• Cow Creek Development 1.8 MW
– Located on South Cow Creek
– Several Small Diversions
– 2 Miles of Canal, Forebay, and Powerhouse
• Kilarc Development 3.2 MW
– Located on Old Cow Creek
– Several Small Diversions
– 3.5 Miles of Canal, Forebay, and Powerhouse
7
Overview of Project
Kilarc-Cow Creek Hydroelectric Project
• Began Operating in 1904 and 1907
• Operated by PG&E
• Licensed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)
• Current FERC License Issued Feb. 1, 1980
• License Expired March 27, 2007 (operating on an annual license)
• Project Relicensing Started 2001
8
Overview of Project
• Project Relicensing Began in 2001
– An Application for New License was required to be filed by March 27, 2005
• Economic Issues
– Small 5 MW Project in two developments, old facilities with high maintenance for power generated
– Anticipated significant increase in instream flow requirements and construction of fish passage facilities
– Decommissioning within the “Project Agreement” framework was more economic than continuing to operate the project
– Less costly replacement power available
• Environmental Laws and Compliance Issues
– Threatened Species (Steelhead)
– Species of Concern (Fall- and Late Fall-Run Chinook Salmon, Yellow legged frogs)
9
Overview of Project
• In Early 2004 PG&E Decided To:
– Interrupt relicensing the Project
– Develop a Project Agreement to implement decommissioning, if no other entity relicensed the Project
• Decision Based On:
– Project economics
– Anticipated new license conditions
– Environmental benefits of decommissioning
10
Project Agreement
• Signed March 2005
• Agreement with State and Federal resource agencies and other stakeholders
– U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service
– California Department of Fish and Game
– National Park Service
– California State Water Resources Control Board
– NOAA Fisheries
– Friends of the River
– Trout Unlimited
– PG&E
11
Project Agreement
• PG&E agreed not to seek a new license
• Identified “Subjects and Desired Conditions” that would be addressed if the Project was decommissioned
• Upon decommissioning, transfer of PG&E water rights to other entity or agency to protect, preserve, and/or enhance aquatic resources
• FERC has final approval authority over decommissioning
12
Project Agreement
What Happened After the Agreement Was Signed
• PG&E filed Agreement and informed FERC of the decision not to relicense the Project (3/30/05)
• FERC “Public Notice” that the license was available (4/7/05)
• Several entities evaluated acquiring the license and Project, but ultimately did not file license application
• PG&E filed the required Surrender Schedule with FERC on 3/23/07
• Next, FERC is expected to order PG&E to develop a decommissioning plan and file a Surrender Application within 2 years
13
Proposed Schedule for Decommissioning Process
• Filed Surrender Schedule with FERC– March 23, 2007
• Hold stakeholder meetings to identify issues and develop decommissioning plan– April 2007 through Oct 2007
• Conduct resource analysis in 2007 and 2008
• PG&E prepares Surrender Application- Jan 2008 – March 2009
• Surrender Application including Decommissioning Plan proposed to be filed with FERC by March 2009
• Upon approval of Decommissioning Plan by FERC, PG&E to implement plan
2009-20122007 2008
Schedule for Surrender of License Application
PG&E Filed Surrender Schedule
- Identify Issues - Conduct Resource Analysis - Develop Decommissioning Plan
- Prepare License Surrender Application - File with FERC
Decom-missioning of Project Facilities and Monitoring
FERC approves License Surrender
14
Surrender Application Content and Process
• FERC Regulatory Requirements
– FERC Regulations Addressing Decommissioning 18 CFR part 6, and 18 CFR s. 16.25
– Surrender application
• Must be filed in the same form and manner as the application for license
• Must provide for disposition of any Project facility
• Must comply with approved schedule
• Must comply with the requirements of consultation
15
Resource Study Areas
• Hydrology– Developed and verified estimated hydrology
– Estimate average monthly flow at each diversion
• Water Quality and Water Temperature– All water samples were within Basin Plan objectives except
4 coliform samples (2 background)
– Old Cow Creek Water Temperature below 20°C
– Water entering Project on South Cow routinely above 20°C during summer/fall
16
Resource Study Areas (cont.)
• Sediment and Channel Stability– Channel banks stable
– Sediment moves through system
– Spawning gravel not reduced below diversions
• Aquatic Habitat– Passage Barriers
• 14 barriers on Old Cow Creek
• 9 barriers on South Cow Creek
17
Resource Study Areas (cont.)
• Fish Population– Old Cow - Rainbow Trout, Sculpin, Brown Trout, Sacramento
Pikeminnow
– South Cow- Steelhead, Chinook salmon (Wagoner Canyon)
– Resident fish in canals and both forebays
• Wildlife Resources– No CRLF or VELB
– FYLF (South Cow)
– Northwestern Pond Turtle (Hooten Gulch)
– Osprey, Golden Eagle (Kilarc Forebay)
18
Resource Study Areas (cont.)
• Historic, Archaeological, Cultural, Recreational, Land Management & Aesthetics– Kilarc and Cow Powerhouse eligible
– No cultural properties identified
• Recreation– Limited opportunities
– Kilarc Forebay - picnicing and fishing
– 84% from Shasta County
19
BREAK
20
Regulatory Permits
Anticipated Permits
• FERC Surrender Application
• Army Corps of Engineer 404
• CDFG 1603 (Stream Bed Alteration)
• Stormwater runoff permit (depending on size of deconstruction area)
• County grading permits (depending on construction of temporary roads)
21
Next Steps
22
Project Area
Figure 1. 2003 water quality and continous temperature monitoring stations, Kilarc-Cow Creek Project.
Buckhorn Lake
Mountai
a
Kilarc P.H . Forebay
S. Canyon Cr.
N. Canyon Cr.
a
S H A S TA C O U N TY
W H ITM O R E
Forebay
Cow CreekP.H.
So. Cow CreekMain Canal
Mill Cr. So.CowCreek Canal
N
Water quality and temperaturemonitoring station
Temperature monitoring station
KF1
OC4
OC3
NC1
NC2
OC2
CC2CC1
SC3SC1
MC1
MC2
CCF1
SC4
SC5AD1
OC1
23
Project Schematic