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development
recreation
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turbine
water
irrigation
wave
maintenan
ce
navigation
governorenvironment
gate
hydrokinetic
penstockregulations
electricity
Hydro Basics Coursedam
policiesm
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July 21 22, 2014Nashville, TN, USAwww.hydroevent.com
Organized By: Institute Supporter:
WHO SHOULD ATTEND
Individuals new to hydro
New hires
Experienced professionals moving into hydro
Individuals who want to expand their areas of expertise
WPHBas_PwrRM_elss_140307 1 3/10/14 9:30 AM
17 PROPER PROCEDURES FOR PHASE CHECKING A GENERATOR
22 HOW THE CORPS AND TVA PARTNER TO IMPROVE TWO RIVERS
34 EXECUTIVE INTERVIEW: MARC GERKEN, AMERICAN MUNICIPAL POWER
Endangered Species:
Streamlining the Consultation Process
April 2014
Stay Current
1404hr_C1 1 3/31/14 10:23 AM
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We bring together the spirit of innovation with
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http://hydroreview.hotims.com RS #1
1404hr_C2 2 3/31/14 10:23 AM
APRIL 2014
www.hydroworld.com April 2014 / HYDRO REVIEW 1
Bill ChristmanChelan County
Public Utility District
Linda Church CiocciNational Hydropower Association
Douglas A. Dixon, PhDEPRI
Ginger GillinGEI Consultants Inc.
John Gulliver, PhDUniversity
of Minnesota
Jacob IrvingCanadian Hydropower
Association
Gregory D. Lewis, P.E.Duke Energy Corporation
Charles I. Lipsky, P.E.Consultant
Patrick A. MarchHydro Performance
Processes Inc.
Henry MartinezSouthern California Edison
Paul NorrisOntario Waterpower Association
Lee H. Sheldon, P.E.Hydropower Consulting
Engineer
Tom SpicherHydro Y.E.S.
Paul Willis, P.E.Consulting Engineer
ADVISORY BOARD
Peer Reviewed
Follow HydroWorld.com
on Twitter and Facebook
COVER STORY
8 | Endangered Species Consultation: Why Does it Take so Long?By Alan D. Mitchnick
Navigating through the stages of licensing or relicensing a hydropower proj-ect can be a lengthy process. However, there are steps to make the endan-gered species consultation portion easier to manage.
ARTICLES
17 | Phase Checking a Generator after Replacing Instrument Transformers
By John Hunter
This article explains how to ensure a synchronous AC generating unit is in phase with the system after work on instrument transformers or after a rewind.
22 | Common Goal: 80 Years of Partnership between the Corps, TVABy Fred Tucker
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Tennessee Valley Authority have worked together for 80 years to promote and expand hydropower in the Cumber-land and Tennessee river basins.
30 | Renovation Marries History, Technology and EnvironmentBy Paul Wiegand
The Snoqualmie Falls project has undergone an extensive renovation and upgrade program that includes additional power generation, an enhanced experience for visitors and better fsh protection.
34 | From the Boardroom: Marc Gerken, American Municipal PowerBy Elizabeth Ingram
American Municipal Power has four hydro projects under construction in the U.S. that will add more than 300 MW. Learn why the company believes hydropower is the way to go.
42 | Removing Sediment at Monroe Street DamBy Karen Terpak
To deal with heavy debris build-up at Monroe Street Dam, Avista Utilities worked to remove and relocate large rocks and sediment from the intake screens, ensuring optimal fow and steady generating capacity.
48 | Dimensionally Homogeneous Form of the Chezy and Manning Equations
By Lee H. Sheldon
Chezy and Manning equations, the foundation of open channel hydraulics, are not dimensionally homogeneous. The author presents a new derivation of these equations that reveals the constituent parts of these coeffcients.
DEPARTMENTS 3 | Perspectives: Make Your Voice Heard!
4 | Hydro Currents
54 | Tech Briefs
58 | Industry News
62 | Canadian News
66 | Marine Hydrokinetics
68 | R&D Forum
72 | Dam Safety & Security
76 | Transitions
78 | From the Web
88 | Index to Advertisers
1404hr_1 1 3/31/14 9:12 AM
2 HYDRO REVIEW / April 2014 www.hydroworld.com
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Vol. 33, No. 3, April 2014
1421 South Sheridan RoadTulsa, OK 74112P.O. Box 3264, Tulsa, OK 74101Telephone: (918) 835-3161Fax: (918) 831-9834E-mail: [email protected] World Wide Web: http://www.hydroworld.com
Publisher and Chief editor Marla Barnes(918) 832-9353 [email protected]
senior editor Elizabeth Ingram (918) 831-9175 [email protected]
assoCiate editor Bethany Duarte (918) 832-9330 [email protected]
online editor Michael Harris (918) 832-9363 [email protected]
GraPhiC desiGner Kermit Mulkins(918) 831-9554 [email protected]
subsCriber Customer serviCePO Box 3264, Northbrook, IL 60065-3264, USACustomer Service Phone: 1-847-763-9540Fax: 847-763-9607Email: [email protected]
sr. vP, Power Generation Richard G. Baker(918) 831-9187 [email protected]
sales direCtor Howard Lutzk(913) 402-7119 [email protected]
sales manaGer Alasdair Evans(44) 1992-656636 [email protected]
rePrints Kelly Blieden+1 866 879 9144 [email protected]
CorPorate headquarters PennWell Corp.1421 S. Sheridan Road, Tulsa, OK 74112Telephone: (918) 835-3161
Chairman Frank T. LauingerPresident/Ceo Robert F. BiolchiniChief finanCial offiCer/senior viCe President Mark C. Wilmoth
audienCe develoPment manaGer Emily Martha Martinv.P. of audienCe develoPment & marketinG June GriffnProduCtion direCtor Charlie ColeProduCtion manaGer Daniel Greene
HYDRO REVIEW (ISSN 0884-0385) is published ten times in January, March, April, May, June, July, Septem-ber, October, November and December by PennWell Corp., 1421 S. Sheridan Rd., Tulsa, OK 74112; phone (918) 835-3161. Printed in U.S.A. Canadian GST Registration Number 12681 3153 RT0001. Canada Post International Publications Mail Product (Canadian Distribution) Publications Agreement No. 40029359. @Copyright 2013 by PennWell Corp. (Registered in U.S. Patent Trademark Offce). No part of this periodical may be reproduced without the consent of the publisher. Autho-rization to photocopy items for internal or personal use, or the internal or personal use of specifc clients, is granted by HYDRO REVIEW, ISSN 0884-0385, provided that the appropriate fee is paid directly to Copyright Clearance Center, 222 Rosewood Drive, Danvers, MA 01923 USA 978-750-8400. Prior to photocopying items for educational classroom use, please contact Copyright Clearance Center, 222 Rosewood Drive, Danvers, MA 01923 USA 978-750-8400.Periodicals postage paid at Tulsa, OK and additional mailing offces. Annual subscription rate: US$65. Two-year subscription rate: US$110. Single copies: US$20. Payments accepted in U.S. funds only. POSTMASTER: Send change of address, other circulation information to HYDRO REVIEW, PO Box 3264, Northbrook, IL 60065-3264. HYDRO REVIEW is a registered trade-mark of PennWell Corp. Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to P.O. Box 122, Niagara Falls, ON L2E 6S4.
Member: BPA International
PRINTED IN THE U.S.A. GST NO. 12681 3153 RT0001Publications Mail Agreement No. 40029359
1404hr_2 2 3/31/14 9:12 AM
www.hydroworld.com April 2014 / HYDRO REVIEW 3
This special edition of Hydro Review is being dis-
tributed at the National Hydropower Associations
Annual Conference in Washington, D.C. During
the conferences opening session, attendees are
celebrating the hydro industrys big win in 2013
passage of two hydro-related pieces of legisla-
tion by huge margins in both the Senate and the
House at a time when lawmakers couldnt agree
on anything!
In my opinion, passage of these new hydro laws
at least in part had to do with the industry
making its voice heard. Staff at the National
Hydropower Association (NHA) worked tire-
lessly for years to communicate with and educate
lawmakers and their staffs; to build coalitions with
stakeholders, NGOs and other associations; and to
get the industry to reach out and speak up to the
individuals representing them on Capitol Hill.
Making your voice heard matters.
In todays world of instantaneous communica-
tion, its easy to share your opinions, comments,
viewpoints and votes. And, in hydro, thats exactly
what we want to encourage you to do!
Taking a few minutes to make YOUR voice
heard will make a difference in the content
you read on the pages of this magazine, the news
coverage on www.HydroWorld.com and the Hydro
Review mobile app, and what you watch on the new
Hydro TV*.
Here are 3 ways you can make your voice heard:
1. Nominate a hydro plant for
the Hydro Hall of Fame.
Hydro Reviews editorial team
seeks nominations of hydro
plants for induction into the
Hydro Hall of Fame. The Hall of
Fame was set up to recognize
extraordinary hydro achieve-
ment throughout the world, with a special empha-
sis on long-lasting facilities. To date, 33 plants have
been inducted. Find the list at: www.hydroworld.
com/index/hall-of-fame.html.
Do you know of a plant thats been in continu-
ous operation for 100 years or more? If so, make
your voice heard. Fill out the nomination form at:
www.hydroworld.com/index/hall-of-fame.html.
2. Add someone to the Wall of Honor.
At the upcoming HydroVision International event
in Nashville, Tenn., U.S., in July, PennWell will
display a Wall of Honor, paying tribute to mili-
tary service personnel, past and present, around
the world.
Its easy to submit a name (colleague, friend,
family member) to be placed on the wall. Find the
submittal form at: www.hydroevent.com/wall-of-
honor.html.
Lieutenant General Thomas P. Bostick, the
commanding general of the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers, will be in Nashville to help unveil the
Wall of Honor at HydroVision International.
3. Connect with other hydro
professionals on the HydroWorld
LinkedIn Group.
598 hydro professionals (and counting!)
are members of the HydroWorld Group
on LinkedIn. Join today and push that
group number over 600! Associate Edi-
tor Bethany Duarte recently wrote a great piece on
the Hydro Talk blog about the use of social media
in the workplace.
As Bethany describes, social media is a tool to
build a community of individuals with like interests
who want to quickly share ideas, ask questions and
learn from one another.
Her closing line: Lets keep in touch. Lets con-
nect. Lets build our community.
Couldnt have said it better myself!
Publisher and Chief Editor
*Hydro TV is a new video channel associated with the
upcoming HydroVision International event. Check it
out at: www.hydroevent.com/hydro-tv.html.
Make Your Voice Heard!
P e r s p e c t i v e s
1404hr_3 3 3/31/14 9:12 AM
4 HYDRO REVIEW / April 2014 www.hydroworld.com
FERC counsel comments on marine, hydrokinetic bill
A lawyer for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission com-
mented to a Senate panel on a marine hydrokinetic (MHK) bill.
John Katz, FERC deputy associate general counsel for energy
projects, testifed to the Senate Water and Power Subcommittee
on the Marine and Hydrokinetic Renewable Energy Act of 2013
(S.1419), which was introduced by Senate Energy and Natu-
ral Resources Committee Chairman Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and
Ranking Member Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska.
The bill reauthorizes the U.S. Department of Energys
national marine renewable energy research, development and
demonstration centers. It expands the program by adding: sup-
port of in-water testing and demonstration of MHK technologies;
technology development assistance; and establishment of testing
infrastructure. It also directs the Secretary of Energy to consult
with the secretaries of the Interior and Commerce departments
and with FERC on a program of research, development, dem-
onstration and commercial application to expand MHK energy.
Katz told the subcommittee Feb. 27 that FERC staff is pre-
pared to assist the energy secretary as appropriate. Katz said
establishment of national MHK R&D and demonstration cen-
ters could provide important support to develop the technology
but suggested they should be owned by DOE. Centers owned
by private entities, states or municipalities likely would require
FERC licensing, he said.
The FERC lawyer also noted the bill would authorize FERC
to issue pilot MHK project licenses under specifc criteria. Katz
said the commission has issued pilot project licenses under the
assumption it has authority to do so under the Federal Power Act.
Connor named Interior deputy secretary,
Pimley acting Reclamation commissioner
The U.S. Senate unanimously approved the appointment of
Michael L. Connor as the next deputy secretary of the U.S.
Department of the Interior. Connor is the agencys second-high-
est ranking offcial after Sally Jewell, Secretary of the Interior.
Mike is exactly the right person to help lead this depart-
ment thoughtful, smart, organized and full of energy, Jewell
said. His wealth of knowledge, experience and collaborative
approach to complex challenges will be of great beneft to me
and to this department.
Connor has served as commissioner of Interiors Bureau of
Reclamation since May 2009, where he oversaw 476 dams, 337
reservoirs and 58 power plants. During his tenure, the bureau
has added more than 100 MW of new hydroelectric capacity at
existing Reclamation facilities, identifed an additional 370 MW,
and restored thousands of miles of riparian habitat.
Before coming to Reclamation, Connor served as legal coun-
sel to the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee
and assisted with Native American issues under the committees
jurisdiction. Connor worked for Interior from 1993 to 2001 in the
Solicitors Offce and as director of the Indian Water Rights Offce.
Connor replaces David J. Hayes, who announced his resigna-
tion last June after a four-year tenure.
Jewell also has appointed Lowell Pimley as Reclamations act-
ing commissioner, flling in for Connor. Pimley will serve until
a new commissioner is nominated by President Barack Obama
and confrmed by the Senate.
Pimley has served as Reclamations deputy commissioner
of operations since January 2013. Before that, he was director
of Reclamations Technical Service Center in Denver. Pimley
joined Reclamation in 1980 as a civil engineer.
In-conduit hydro bill awaits governors signature
Legislation recognizing in-conduit hydroelectric power has been
approved by Washingtons state Senate. Sponsored by Reps.
Larry Haler and Chad Magendanz, House Bill 2733 would allow
the state to count eligible hydropower as renewable under the
states 2006 Energy Independence Act.
Per the bill, eligible renewable resources include:
Incremental electricity produced as a result of effciency
improvements completed after March 31, 1999, to hydroelectric
generation projects owned by a qualifying utility and located in
the Pacifc Northwest or to hydroelectric generation in irriga-
tion pipes and canals located in the Pacifc Northwest, where the
additional generation in either case does not result in new water
diversions or impoundments.
That portion of incremental electricity produced as a
result of effciency improvements completed after March 31,
1999, attributable to a qualifying utilitys share of the electricity
output to hydroelectric generation projects whose energy out-
put is marketed by the Bonneville Power Administration where
the additional generation does not result in new water diversions
or impoundments.
The bill which would also count wave, ocean and tidal
power as renewable passed the Senate with a 39-10 vote
after having passed 89-8 in the House on Feb. 17. It now awaits
a signature from Washington Governor Jay Inslee.
World Banks van Ginneken to keynote
HydroVision International
Meike van Ginneken of the World Bank will participate as a key-
note speaker at the upcoming HydroVision International confer-
ence and exhibition in Nashville, Tenn.
1404hr_4 4 3/31/14 9:12 AM
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1404hr_5 5 3/31/14 9:12 AM
6 HYDRO REVIEW / April 2014
For the most current hydro news, log on to
Van Ginneken is the World Banks sector manager for energy
in west and central Africa, leading a team dedicated to improving
access and quality of energy services in 26 countries.
The World Banks Africa energy program covers both reform
and investment support in power generation, transmission and
distribution; rural energy services; and renewable and low-car-
bon initiatives. The organization said it is focused on developing
private fnancing for Africas energy sector, often working in
partnership with other World Bank Group agencies. The banks
current Africa energy portfolio comprises more than 50 projects
with a value of US$10 billion, with new lending now exceeding
$1 billion per year.
Van Ginneken is expected to not only reassert the World
Banks support for hydropower, but also speak on a number of
issues important to both power developers and power benefcia-
ries including energys role in developing countries; changes
and trends; fnancing; and technical, physical, social, environ-
mental and fscal sustainability.
Van Ginneken holds a Masters of Science in water manage-
ment, environmental, and sanitary engineering from the School
of Civil Engineering, Delft University of Technology in The
Netherlands and an Executive Masters in consulting and coach-
ing for change from HEC Paris and the Sad Business School,
University of Oxford.
HydroVision International takes place July 22-25 at Nash-
villes Music City Center. For more, visit www.hydroevent.com.
Court dismisses claim over Cushman project
The U.S. Court of Federal Claims dismissed a damages action
brought by the Skokomish Indian Tribe and individual members
of the tribe, deriving from the construction and operation of the
131-MW Cushman project. The project is located upstream
from the tribes reservation in Washington State.
The plaintiffs alleged that the federal government failed to
protect their interests with respect to the Federal Energy Regula-
tory Commission licensing and operation of the project, which
is owned and operated by the city of Tacoma, thereby violating
its obligations arising under a treaty and various statues. They
also said the defendants actions effectuated a temporary takings
under the Fifth Amendment. On March 11, the court granted a
federal government motion to dismiss.
In August 2006, in City of Tacoma v. FERC, the court held that
FERC was required to include the Section 4(e) conditions issued
by the Secretary of the Interior in Tacomas new license. Notwith-
standing, Tacoma was allowed to continue to operate the project
under the terms and conditions of its 1924 license, without condi-
tions for the protection of the Skokomish Reservation, until July
2010, when FERC issued a fnal amended license order.
In October 2011, following the dismissal of the plaintiffs appeal
in the Ninth Circuit, the clerk docketed this case. In April 2012,
the defendant fled its motion to dismiss. The parties participated
in several alternative dispute resolution sessions, but when a settle-
ment did not materialize, a schedule for briefng the motion to
dismiss was issued. Briefng and argument on that motion were
completed, resulting in the dismissal for lack of jurisdiction.
This article was originally published on GenerationHub.com, a
HydroWorld.com sister site.
Hydro Ottawa to expand Chaudiere Falls project
Hydro Ottawa has been awarded a 40-year power purchase agree-
ment that will allow for a 29-MW expansion of the Chaudiere Falls
plant. The agreement, authorized by the Ontario Power Authority
(OPA), will effectively double project capacity to 58 MW.
This exciting expansion project will provide reliable, clean
electricity for the province for years to come while contributing
to sustainable energy production and job growth in Ottawa,
Hydro Ottawa President and Chief Executive Offcer Bryce
Conrad said.
Hydro Ottawas renewable energy subsidiary, Energy Ottawa,
applied for the contract under OPAs Hydro Electric Standard
Offer Program Municipal Stream in November 2013. The com-
pany said it plans to begin construction of the expansion in 2015.
Waterpower is a vital component of Ontarios clean energy
mix, Ontario Minister of Energy Bob Chiarelli said. The
Chaudiere Falls facility will contribute to Ontarios clean, mod-
ern and reliable electricity system while creating local jobs and
increasing revenue for Hydro Ottawa.
Obama to elevate FERC staffer Bay to chairmanship
President Obama has nominated Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission Enforcement Director Norman C. Bay to be a
FERC commissioner, with the intention to name Bay chairman
once he is confrmed by the Senate. Bay would succeed FERC
Chairman Jon Wellinghoff whose term expired in June 2013.
Obama appointed Commissioner Cheryl A. LaFleur acting
FERC chairman in November in the wake of the withdrawal of
Obamas nomination of controversial Colorado consultant Ron-
ald J. Binz to be a member, and chairman, of the commission.
Since July 2009, Bay has been director of FERCs Offce of
Enforcement, responsible for protecting energy market consum-
ers from fraud or market manipulation affecting FERC-regu-
lated wholesale natural gas and electric markets. Before joining
the commission, he was a law professor at the University of New
Mexico, teaching criminal law, evidence and constitutional law.
From 2000 to 2001, Bay, a Democrat, was U.S. attorney for
New Mexico. From 1989 to 2000, he was an assistant U.S. attor-
ney in the District of Columbia and in New Mexico. Prior to his
Justice Department service, he was attorney-adviser in the Offce
of Legal Adviser at the State Department. Bay is a graduate of
Dartmouth College and Harvard Law School.
The candidates views on various areas of energy policy have
not been publicized.
1404hr_6 6 3/31/14 9:12 AM
http://hydroreview.hotims.com RS #3
1404hr_7 7 3/31/14 9:12 AM
8 HYDRO REVIEW / April 2014 www.hydroworld.com
The Endangered Species Act (ESA) is designed
to prevent the extinction of plants and animals
and their habitats. The Supreme Court concluded
that with its passage in 1973, Congress intended to
halt and reverse the trend toward species extinction,
whatever the cost and gave endangered species
priority over the primary missions of federal agen-
cies. But does it deserve its label as the pit bull of
environmental statutes?
Section 7 of the ESA places a substantial bur-
den on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
(FERC) to protect endangered species.
The procedural requirements of the ESA consul-
tation process occur late in the integrated licensing
process (ILP), the FERC default licensing process
(see Figure 1 on page 10), as well as the other licens-
ing processes (traditional and alternative licensing
processes). However, the development of informa-
tion and coordination that occurs during the pre-
fling process is critical to successful completion of
the endangered species consultation.
What is the section 7
consultation process?
Federal agencies must ensure that their actions
in this case the construction or relicensing of
non-federal hydropower projects are not likely
to jeopardize the continued existence of federally
listed threatened and endangered species or result
in the destruction or adverse modifcation of desig-
nated critical habitat. To assist in complying with the
ESA, section 7 requires federal agencies to consult
with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) or
National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) if the
agency determines that a project would likely affect
listed species or designated critical habitat.
FERC includes, in every environmental assess-
ment (EA), environmental impact statement (EIS),
or in a biological assessment (BA), an evaluation of
the effects of a hydro project on listed threatened or
endangered species or species proposed for listing
under the ESA, as well as on designated and pro-
posed critical habitat. The steps of the consultation
process are determined by the specifc conclusion
reached (see Figure 2 on page 10):
No effect ends the consultation process;
Not likely to adversely affect requires writ-
ten concurrence by the service with applicable
jurisdiction; or
Likely to adversely affect requires FERC
to initiate formal consultation with the appro-
priate service.
Informal consultation
The purposes of informal consultation are to deter-
mine whether listed/proposed species or designated/
proposed critical habitat may be in the action area;
determine the effects of the action on the species/
Alan Mitchnick is a senior
technical expert in the
Division of Hydropower
Licensing, Offce of Energy
Projects, Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission.
By Alan D. Mitchnick
Navigating through the stages of licensing or relicensing a hydropower project can be a lengthy process. However, there are steps to make the endangered species consultation portion easier to manage.
P o l i c i e s & R e g u l a t i o n s
Endangered Species Consultation: Why Does it Take so Long?
1404hr_8 8 3/31/14 9:13 AM
www.hydroworld.com April 2014 / HYDRO REVIEW 9
critical habitat; explore ways to modify the
action to reduce or remove adverse effects;
explore the design or modifcation of an
action to beneft the species/critical habi-
tat; and determine the need to enter into
formal consultation.
If FERC determines that a project
may affect but would not likely adversely
affect a listed species or critical habitat,
FERC staff will request concurrence from
the service. If the service concurs, then
the consultation process is completed.
Although there are no set timeframes for
a response, the service strives to respond
within 30 days.
Formal consultation
FERC must enter into formal consultation
when it fnds that a hydropower project
may likely adversely affect a listed species
or designated critical habitat. FERC initi-
ates formal consultation by submitting its
evaluation of project effects on ESA spe-
cies and habitats and other information
required such as description of the pro-
posed action area and relevant reports to
the service. The service will notify FERC
if it has suffcient information or if it needs
more. FERC will provide the information
or notify the service that the information is
not available. Formal consultation must be
completed within 135 days after the infor-
mation is provided. Formal consultation
can be extended up to 60 days with the
agreement of FERC. Extensions greater
than 60 days require approval of the
license applicant.
In practice, formal consultation takes
longer than 135 days. Formal consultation
concludes with the preparation and issu-
ance of a biological opinion by FWS or
NMFS, as appropriate.
The services biological opinion will
include a determination of whether the
project would jeopardize the continued
existence of the listed species or destroy
or adversely modify critical habitat and
may include a statement that specifes
the amount of take expected to occur;
reasonable and prudent measures to mini-
mize the take that may only involve minor
changes to the proposed action, consistent
with the projects scope, design, location,
duration and timing; terms and conditions
implementing the reasonable and prudent
measures; discretionary conservation rec-
ommendations; and reasonable and pru-
dent alternatives that may be necessary to
avoid jeopardy.
FERC engagement
Has section 7 consultation had a signifcant
effect on licensing hydropower projects?
Of the 84 licenses issued between
January 2008 and April 2013, 36 (43%)
required endangered species consultation,
with 15 requiring informal and 21 requir-
ing formal consultation. This represents
a signifcant percentage of all the license
issuances and a real potential to delay the
licensing process.
Why does it take so long?
During informal consultation, delays,
although not frequent, are often a result of
the services not concurring with FERCs
fndings. Reasons for non-concurrence
generally are based on evidence of adverse
effects; insuffcient information to sup-
port the conclusion; incomplete analysis;
insuffcient measures to eliminate or mini-
mize impacts; insuffcient details of the
proposed action; and lack of analysis of
all species.
FERC may provide the requested
information or require the applicant to
develop it. FERCs obligation, however, is
to provide the best available information.
During formal consultation, the primary
reasons for delays are insuffcient infor-
mation, such as impact studies, species
surveys, detailed design drawings, detailed
plans, life history information, clarifcation
of project design and operation, and more
detailed effects analysis.
The other major source of delay is
agency priorities and staffng. Although
little can be done about this, some of
the measures discussed below can lead
1404hr_9 9 3/31/14 9:13 AM
10 HYDRO REVIEW / April 2014 www.hydroworld.com
Figure 1 Steps in FERCs Integrated Licensing Process
Filing of FinalLicense Application/
Biological Assessment
Pre-fling process
Post-fling Process
The integrated licensing process provides numerous opportunities to address endangered species issues.
Collection of Existing
Information
Designation ofApplicant asNon-federal
Representative
Completionof Studies
Preparation of Draft License Application
Biological Assessment
Preparation of FinalEnvironmental
Document/LicenseeOrder
EndangeredSpecies ActConsultation
Process(See Figure 2)
Preparation ofDraft Environmental
Document
Figure 2 Endangered Species Consultation Process
No Effect toSpecies/Critical
Habitat
The development project design alternatives or development of protective measures can help FERC avoid a potentially lengthy formal
consultation process. (Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, as modifed)
= Informal = Formal
Endangered Species Act Section 7
NoConcurrence
Service WrittenConcurrence
Insignifcant/Discountable
Effects
30 Days
BenefcialEffects
Not Likely toAdversely Affect
CommissionFinding Included in
EA/EIS or BA
Service BiologicalOpinion
135 days
FormalConsultation
Likely toAdversely Affect
May Affect Species orCritical Habitat
No AdditionalAction
to more effcient use of the services
limited resources.
How can delays be avoided?
Although the compliance aspects of
the ESA (and opportunities for delays)
occur late in the licensing process after
development of FERCs EA/EIS, typically
three to four years after the process has
started the steps to avoid these delays
must begin early in licensing process
(see Figure 3 on page 12).
By considering endangered species
early in the licensing process, suffcient
information can be developed to better
understand the relationship of project
construction and operation and poten-
tial impacts to listed species, alternative
actions can be developed and evaluated,
conficts with other resources can be iden-
tifed, and economic consequences can be
calculated. This up-front consideration of
ESA issues will ultimately result in better
decisions and fewer delays in completing
the informal and formal consultations.
Given the importance of good communi-
cations and agency involvement in ensur-
ing a more effcient consultation process,
the following recommendations for license
applicants are important throughout the
licensing process.
Involve the services early.
No one is better equipped to know what
information the services will need to com-
plete consultation. The earlier the services
staff get involved, the less likelihood for
surprises later in the licensing process.
Develop ways to involve the services
appropriate endangered species staff
throughout the licensing process.
Providing specifc endangered species
information and requests avoids the
need for the services endangered species
staff to flter through all the informa-
tion generated by the applicant. Smaller,
focused meetings dealing specifcally with
endangered species issues, outside the
meetings required under the ILP regula-
tions, are a more effcient use of time than
unorganized meetings.
Talk. Meet. Talk. Meet. ...
Whenever questions arise about any
aspect of the process dealing with endan-
gered species, make sure these issues are
addressed as soon as possible. There are
limited restrictions regarding meetings
with FERC staff during the pre-fling
process, but meetings after the application
1404hr_10 10 3/31/14 9:13 AM
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1404hr_11 11 3/31/14 9:13 AM
12 HYDRO REVIEW / April 2014 www.hydroworld.com
Figure 3 Steps in the Formal Consultation Process
FERC determines projectmay affect listed species ordesignated critical habitat
The development of complete information by applicants during the pre-fling process is critical to avoid delays later during formal consultation. (Source: Consultation Handbook, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries Service, 1998, as modifed)
*NOTE: If data can be developed during the consultation period, the consultation clock will start from date of receipt of request for formal consultation.
Consultation clockstarts from date
of receipt
90 days
YES
Service issuesbiological opinion
Review of draft biologicalopinion by FERC and/
or applicant (if prepared)
Service preparesbiological opinion
45 days
90 daysData isreceived and
found adequate
Service notifes FERCof data needs(within 30 days)
NO Information iscomplete
FERC requestsformal consultation
with Service
is fled are more diffcult, generally requir-
ing advance notice unless it concerns only
procedural matters. Keep FERC staff
aware of any issues in advance.
Take the fullest opportunity to be
involved in endangered species issues.
Applicants need to understand and take
full advantage of their opportunities to
participate in the section 7 process as a
non-federal representative. It is important
for licensees to identify endangered spe-
cies early, develop good information, and
anticipate future listings.
The greater the involvement by appli-
cants in the endangered species consulta-
tion process, the more effective they can
be in crafting protection measures that
ultimately will be included in a biological
opinion. Greater involvement will allow
applicants to develop comprehensive
agreements, better control their destiny in
regard to licensing their proposed project,
avoid surprises and reduce confict.
Studies
The quality and completeness of endan-
gered species studies are critical to
avoid delays or the need for additional
studies. The following hints could help
avoid delays.
Get the action area right.
The action area typically will extend
beyond the footprint of the project. For
example, noise from blasting can extend
as much as a mile from the blast zone.
Water quality and quantity effects can be
experienced many miles downstream of
the project area.
Properly identify the presence of listed
species and their critical habitats.
It is vital to identify all species and critical
habitat that could potentially be affected by
the proposed action so that proper studies
can be conducted. Survey reports should
document that the surveys were con-
ducted according to protocols or standard
methods, proper habitats were surveyed,
and timing was appropriate.
Anticipate future species listings.
The list of species is constantly changing.
Although it often is diffcult to predict
which species may be added to the list,
candidate species have been identifed by
the services as species where the services
have suffcient information on their bio-
logical status and threats to propose them
as endangered or threatened under the
ESA, but for which development of a pro-
posed listing is precluded by other higher
priority listing activities. By not addressing
the presence and potential impacts to these
species early, delays can result if these spe-
cies are listed or proposed for listing late in
the licensing process.
Understand the consequences
of not doing surveys.
Better information enhances the consul-
tation process, can hasten the prepara-
tion of the biological opinion and can be
useful in avoiding the need for formal
consultation. Not doing surveys can result
in more restrictive measures than neces-
sary and delays in preparation of the
biological opinion.
Preparation of draft BA
Preparation of a draft BA provides an
opportunity for an applicant to help iden-
tify and resolve issues early in the licensing
process. The following recommendations
will help produce an effective BA.
Get an early jump on
preparation of a BA.
Although FERCs ILP regulations do
not require preparation of a draft BA
until the fnal license application where
applicants have been designated as a
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non-federal representative, a draft BA may
be included in the draft license applica-
tion or preliminary licensing proposal.
This would allow the services and other
licensing participants an early opportunity
to comment on the applicants analysis,
giving the applicant an opportunity to
address the comments as part of the fnal
license application.
Identify all project-related
activities that can affect listed
species and critical habitat.
It is easy to overlook certain project
activities (minor construction activities,
maintenance activities, recreational use,
etc.) in evaluating effects to endangered
species. In some cases, this could be crit-
ical. For example, clearing of elderberry
along the roadside or near project facilities
could affect the valley elderberry longhorn
beetle, and even minor construction activi-
ties near streams could be crucial in evalu-
ating impacts to bull trout.
Evaluate potential effects of
each project-related activity.
Impacts should be specifed for all proj-
ect-related activities that have the poten-
tial to affect endangered species (see
previous section). Analysis of effects is
often lumped together, where resolution
of specifc effects can be lost.
Use previous biological opinions
and consultations as guides in
terms of what issues to consider.
Previous biological opinions can give an
indication of the type of project effects
that need to be evaluated, the level of
information needed, and the types of
analyses the services will likely conduct.
Address all the species.
The services will generally provide a list
of species by county. Although not all
species on the list have the potential to
be affected by the project, it is important
to explain and document why any of the
listed species are not addressed in the
BA (lack of habitat, not detected during
protocol-level studies, etc.). The easier
it is for the services to use information
from the BA, the more likely delays can
be avoided.
Work with the services in
developing the draft BA.
Working cooperatively with the services
to develop the BA, if possible, will help
ensure that all the species are addressed,
all the project effects are evaluated,
and suffcient protection measures
are developed.
Reach agreement with the services
on the contents of the biological
assessment and alternative considered.
If an applicant is unable to work coop-
eratively with the services to develop a
BA, an applicant could still work with the
services to develop a detailed BA outline.
This would help ensure that all pertinent
information is included.
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Recommendations for draft
and fnal license applications
The draft and fnal license applications
must include a detailed environmen-
tal analysis of the effects of the proj-
ect on listed species and designated
critical habitats based the results of
approved studies. The following recom-
mendations will help ensure that key
information is not overlooked, leading to
delays in the consultation process.
Provide suffcient details of
construction, operation and
maintenance activities as they relate
to potential effects to listed species.
The following information should be
included in the license application:
Construction: area disturbed,
construction schedule, type of equip-
ment, noise levels, access roads, traffc
levels, etc.;
Operation: fow release schedule,
reservoir operation (timing, extent of
drawdowns, etc.), project shutdown
schedule, frequency of outages, etc.; and
Maintenance: frequency of right-
of-way maintenance, schedule, equip-
ment, noise levels, location, etc.
Fully develop protection
measures and plans.
Protection measures and plans must
be suffciently detailed to allow for
evaluating the effects implementing the
measures would have on the listed spe-
cies and their habitat, adequacy of the
measures, and feasibility. Draft protec-
tion plans should be included in the fnal
license application.
Conclusions
The percentage of projects requir-
ing endangered species consultations,
particularly formal consultations, has
increased substantially. Most alarming
is the increase in the amount of time
required. While the regulatory 135-day
timeframe would not necessarily sig-
nifcantly add to the amount of time the
licensing process takes, in practice, the
consultation process clearly signifcantly
delays the licensing process. Delays in
the licensing process ultimately result in
the delay in implementing much-needed
environmental protection measures. The
numbers of formal consultations are
likely to continue into the future, partic-
ularly with the current increased interest
in hydropower development.
Developing complete information
early in the licensing process is the key to
minimizing delays by avoiding the need
for formal consultation, minimizing the
need for additional information late in the
licensing process, and quicker turnaround
for completion of BAs. These are aspects
of the licensing process that applicants can
control to a large degree.
Note: The views expressed herein are
the authors and do not necessarily refect
the views of other members of the Federal
Energy Regulatory Commission.
1404hr_16 16 3/31/14 9:13 AM
www.hydroworld.com April 2014 / HYDRO REVIEW 17
Figure 1 A Synchronizing Circuit
In PhaseOut of Phase
This fgure shows simple synchronizing circuit and the incoming
and running AC since waves appear when the unit is in phase
and out of phase with the system.
MainTransformer
GeneratorBreaker
Generator
Fuse
Bus
Sync Lights
Generator/incomingPotentialTransformer
Bus/runningPotentialTransformer
Fuse
Incoming Voltage
Running Voltage
Many hydropower plants have units that are
old enough that the electrical protection
instrument transformers (both current transform-
ers or CTs and potential transformers or PTs)
need to be replaced. (Although I am unaware of
any standards for when you replace this equip-
ment, in our systems, the design criteria indi-
cates about 30 years. However, if the equipment
is maintained properly and tested periodically,
the useful life can be longer.) This work requires
special procedures to ensure that a wiring or
equipment error during installation doesnt cause
damage to the unit resulting from closing into the
system with the generator out of phase. Much of
this discussion should also be applied to a stator
rewind test procedure.
When and why are these
procedures necessary?
Relay technicians and system protection engineers
should already have established procedures to
check out the new equipment prior to and as a part
of installation and testing: CT and PT ratio con-
frmation, high-voltage testing, saturation testing
on CTs, etc. This should also include confrming
the wiring from the instrument transformers into
the control system, metering and protection relays,
and into the unit excitation system.
If a wiring or installation error occurs on a CT,
the unit will most likely trip on differential imme-
diately after the generator breaker is closed for the
frst time. In this event, the system protection engi-
neer will easily be able to determine the CT wiring
problem based on the vectors observed at the time
of the trip. This assumes that most plants now have
microprocessor-based generator and transformer
protection relays installed. (If the plant is still
equipped with the old electromechanical protec-
tion relays, an upgrade would be benefcial. The
new relays are excellent tools in evaluating the
magnitude and duration of fault currents occurring
during a unit electrical trip.) The system protection
engineer will also easily be able to determine if the
trip was due to a wiring error or a genuine fault.
Although PTs provide voltage values to the
control system and protection relays, the func-
tion of concern here is their contribution to the
synchronizing process. If the plant operators are
simply changing out the PTs with no additional
wiring, the risk is minimized. However, if they are
rewiring back to the control room and/or installing
new protection relaying or a new control system,
the chance of a wiring or confguration error
becomes greater. The rewire can also affect the
accuracy of the synchroscope and lights. Hence,
an error in the PT circuits can result in closing a
unit out of phase and cause signifcant damage to
the unit. The process needed to ensure against this
is outlined in this article.
What procedures do you need to follow?
First, it would be of value to review how the PTs
work during the synchronizing process as it relates
to the synchronizing lights. In Figure 1, a PT is
coming off of the generator ahead of the genera-
tor breaker, and another is coming off of the bus,
with the secondary of each transformer wired
By John Hunter
John Hunter is a distributed
control system (DCS)
administrator for the hydro
generation division at the
Salt River Project in Arizona.
Phase Checking a Generator after
Replacing Instrument TransformersThis article will explain proper procedures for ensuring a synchronous AC generating unit is in phase with the system when the generator breaker is frst closed after work on protection system instrument transformers or after a unit rewind.
E l e c t r i c a l I s s u e s
1404hr_17 17 3/31/14 9:13 AM
18 HYDRO REVIEW / April 2014 www.hydroworld.com
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through two lights to the other trans-
former. Assuming the unit is at speed with
an applied feld and the synchroscope is
rotating slowly in the fast direction, the
synchroscope lights will be alternately
getting lighter and then darker and then
lighter again. If at a single moment in time,
the generator is 180 degrees out of phase
with the system, that means (sine waves
at the bottom) that when the generator
PT is at +120 volts, the bus PT would be
at -120 volts. Hence, there would be 240
volts across the lights and the lights would
be at their brightest. The synchroscope
would indicate at the 6 oclock position. If
the unit is in phase with the system, both
PTs would be putting out +120 volts,
and the voltage across the lights would
be zero, the lights would both be out and
the synchroscope would indicate at the 12
oclock position.
Figure 1 resembles what would be
found on a single-line diagram of a plant
and would include many additional cir-
cuits. By looking at a three-line diagram,
it can be inferred that the plant probably
has three PTs on the generator bus and
three on the running bus: one on each for
each phase. If, for instance, three analog
voltmeters were correctly wired each to
an individual phase between that phase
incoming and running PTs A to A,
B to B and C to C all three
voltmeters would raise in voltage together
as the unit went more out of phase and
all three would approach 0 volts as the
plant went in phase. This can be a valu-
able test if the plant operator is looking
for phase rotational confrmation and/or
wiring errors.
Furthermore, what the synchroscope
and lights are indicating can be compared
to these three meters to ensure they are
showing the same thing. Additionally, if
the synchronizer is automatic, it is useful
to monitor its output contact, which will
be in series with the generator breaker
close coil, to see if it is in sync with these
meters. Any control system contact in the
breaker close circuit can also be moni-
tored to make sure it is working properly.
All this can be done with the generator
breaker close circuits defeated and/or the
breaker racked out.
The relay technicians and system pro-
tection engineers also have a device that
will indicate phase rotation off the PTs.
Both the generator and bus PT circuits
should be checked to confrm they have
the same rotation.
Another device that can be used in
conjunction with the above is a high-
voltage phasing tester at the generator
breaker. Basically, these consist of two
hot sticks with a cable connecting them
and a small meter on one of the hot
sticks. The distribution feld electricians
probably have these for use on a distri-
bution system breaker where they wish
to ensure that two circuits they are tying
together are phased correctly. In that
application, they will place one stick on
one side of the breaker and the other
1404hr_18 18 3/31/14 9:13 AM
http://hydroreview.hotims.com RS #11
1404hr_19 19 3/31/14 9:13 AM
20 HYDRO REVIEW / April 2014 www.hydroworld.com
years
http://hydroreview.hotims.com RS #12
stick on the other side for each phase.
If the meter reads 0 for all three phases,
the distribution circuit phasing is cor-
rect. When used in the above application
where one side (the generator) is moving
in relation to the bus, the meter on the
hot sticks will move in sync with the syn-
chroscope, lights and three analog meters
as described above and can be used for
each phase at the generator breaker to
confrm everything is wired correctly.
The substation electricians will need to
have the meter movement explained to
them because they probably have never
seen it used in this application.
If something is not proper while using
the above procedure, or in the case of
a fresh generator rewind, one method
that is benefcial to assist in determining
precisely where the problem is located
includes the following:
1. De-energize the bus and disconnect
any auxiliary transformers and surge
protection and lightning arrestors.
Disconnect the bus at the main trans-
former bus side.
2. Rack out any generator surge protec-
tion and lightening arrestors.
3. Un-terminate the generator neutral.
4. Remove any shorts and grounds, just
leaving static grounds on B and C.
5. Complete any temporary control and
protection system modifcations nec-
essary to close the generator breaker,
and close it.
6. Have the test group apply a test source
and energize A to about one-third of
rated voltage. Confrm that this voltage
appears on A correctly throughout
the entire control, protection and
metering system.
7. Disconnect the test source and move
the statics to ground A and C and
apply the test voltage to B, confrm-
ing the voltage appears properly on
all devices.
8. Complete the above test for C with
A and B statics applied.
9. Return all circuits and terminations
to normal.
10. For a pumped storage facility with a
phase reversing switch on the genera-
tor bus (the same generator breaker is
used for pump and generate), the
above may need to be performed with
the switch in generate and again in
pump, depending on where the switch
is in relation to the generator PTs, gen-
erator breaker and bus PTs.
The above procedures should help
isolate any problems in wiring. If it is a
fresh generator rewind and the above
procedure indicates the generator is
reverse phased, any two of the generator
leads can be swapped to get the phase
rotation correct.
When completing this kind of work
at a hydroelectric plant, there is no such
thing as being too cautious. Using simple
procedures and the correct equipment
can simplify the process and go a long
way toward ensuring a successful end to
an outage.
1404hr_20 20 3/31/14 9:13 AM
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22 HYDRO REVIEW / April 2014 www.hydroworld.com
By Fred Tucker
Fred Tucker is public affairs
specialist with the U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers
Nashville District.
hydropower capacity. There were eight generators
originally, now 21), to provide power for nearby
nitrate plants and to improve navigation for Tennes-
see River traffc.
The double lift locks installed at a dam in Muscle
Shoals, Ala., opened to navigation in 1927 with a
normal lift of 93 to 100 feet, at the time the high-
est in the world and now highest east of the Rocky
Mountains. The design and engineering of the
structures set two world records: the 4,862-foot
length of the dam and the lock lift height.
After unsuccessful attempts by private industry
to develop hydropower in the Tennessee Valley, U.S.
President Franklin Roosevelts New Deal to lift
the nation out of the Great Depression included a
request to Congress to create a corporation clothed
with the power of government but possessed of the
fexibility and initiative of a private enterprise, to
address a wide range of issues.
TVA was created in 1933 to improve the navi-
gability and to provide for food control of the
Tennessee River; to provide for reforestation and
the proper use of marginal lands in the Tennessee
Valley; to provide for the agricultural and indus-
trial development of said valley; to provide for the
national defense by the creation of a corporation
for the operation of Government properties at and
near Muscle Shoals in the State of Alabama, and for
other purposes, such a providing electrical power.
The most dramatic change in valley life came from
the electricity generated by TVA hydroelectric facili-
ties. Electric lights and modern appliances made life
easier and farms more productive. Electricity also
drew industries into the region, providing desper-
ately needed jobs.
During World War II, the U.S. needed aluminum
to build bombs and airplanes, and aluminum plants
required electricity. To provide power for such
critical war industries, TVA engaged in one of the
largest hydropower construction programs ever
undertaken in the country. The effort reached its
peak in early 1942, when 12 hydroelectric project
Creation of the Tennessee Valley Authority
through a Congressional Act on May 18, 1933,
relieved the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers of most
of its role in developing the economic potential of
the Tennessee River and its tributaries. From that
point on, the Corps retained, a development and
operational role on the Cumberland River, resulting
in a dynamic partnership between the two agencies
that has greatly improved the quality of life in the
Cumberland and Tennessee river basins.
Flowing roughly parallel, the Cumberland River
fows south from Kentucky, across upper middle
and west Tennessee, up through western Kentucky
emptying into the Ohio River. The Tennessee River
fows south from Knoxville through Chattanooga
to Guntersville, Ala., then northwestward through
Muscle Shoals to Mississippi before continuing
north through west Tennessee and western Ken-
tucky, emptying into the Ohio River.
Barkley Canal connects the two rivers above Bar-
kley and Kentucky Dams.
A long history of collaboration
Army engineers began mapping the Cumberland
and Tennessee rivers for improvements to permit
navigation in the late 1700s, but lack of funding,
jurisdictional squabbling, the Civil War, differ-
ing priorities, fedgling public-private ventures, a
depression and lack of national authority continued
to limit potential development especially on the
Tennessee River.
By 1924, the Corps had completed the con-
struction of 15 locks and dams on the Cum-
berland River, assuring a 6-foot channel depth
for navigation.
On the Tennessee River, funds appropriated to
the Corps paid for construction of a lock at Hales
Bar Dam completed by the Chattanooga and Ten-
nessee River Power Company in 1913 at River Mile
421.1, Haletown, Tenn. The Corps also constructed
Wilson Dam, the largest hydroelectric installation
in the world in 1926 (in terms of dam length, not
Common Goal: Partnership Between the
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and TVAOver the past 80 years, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Tennessee Valley Authority have engaged in a dynamic partnership to promote and expand hydropower in the Cumberland and Tennessee river basins.
O p e r a t i o n s & M a i n t e n a n c e
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www.hydroworld.com April 2014 / HYDRO REVIEW 23
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and a steam plant were under construction
at the same time, and design and construc-
tion employment reached 28,000.
Initially, federal appropriations funded
all TVA operations, but appropriations for
its power program ended in 1959, when
Congress authorized TVA to issue bonds.
Appropriations for its environmental stew-
ardship and economic development activi-
ties were phased out by 1999, and TVA is
now fully self-fnancing primarily through
electricity sales to 155 power distributor
customers and 56 directly served indus-
tries and federal facilities, such as the Y-12
Complex at Oak Ridge and large private
industrial complexes TVAs power service
territory includes most of Tennessee and
parts of Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky,
Mississippi, North Carolina and Virginia,
serving more than 9 million people over
80,000 square miles.
Today, TVA maintains conventional
hydroelectric dams throughout the Ten-
nessee River system and the Raccoon
Mountain pumped storage facility to
produce electricity. Additionally, four
Alcoa dams on the Little Tennessee River
and eight Corps dams on the Cum-
berland River contribute to the TVA
power system.
Corps projects in the
Nashville District
Is there a duplication of effort by TVA and
the Corps Nashville District in the Cum-
berland and Tennessee rivers basin?
The answer to duplication is No.
Generally speaking, TVA has developed
multi-purpose projects on the Tennessee
River and its tributaries and the Corps
has developed multi-purpose projects on
the Cumberland River and its tributaries,
says Mike Wilson, deputy district engineer
for programs and project management
with the Corps. Mutually benefcial
partnerships and relationships have been
developed to better serve stakeholders in
the Twin Rivers basin as needs evolve.
TVA owns the nine dams, hydro-
power plants and locks on the Tennessee
River as well as Melton Hill Dam on the
Clinch River. TVA operates the dams and
hydropower plants, manages water levels,
provides food risk reduction, offers rec-
reational activities and deals with other
the Detroit Districts Sault Ste. Marie
hydropower plant in Michigan. The Nash-
ville District also manages water levels,
provides food risk reduction, offers recre-
ational activities and deals with other envi-
ronmental and regulatory issues at its 10
projects on the Cumberland River and its
tributaries. Thus, there are clearly defned
areas of responsibility on the Cumberland
and Tennessee rivers.
environmental issues at these facilities. The
Nashville District operates and maintains
the navigational locks and channels at
these 10 dams.
The Nashville District owns, operates
and maintains the 10 dams, nine hydro-
power plants and four navigation locks on
the Cumberland River and its tributaries.
It maintains 1,175 navigable river miles
on the two rivers and remotely operates
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24 HYDRO REVIEW / April 2014 www.hydroworld.com
http://hydroreview.hotims.com RS #15
Navigating the basins
By law, dating back to the Rivers and
Harbors Act of 1824, the Corps operates
and maintains all navigable inland water-
ways in the U.S., says Nashville District
Commander Lt. Col. James A. DeLapp.
New construction and major reha-
bilitation of inland navigation facilities
are cost-shared 50/50 with Congressional
appropriations and the Inland Waterways
Trust Fund, which is funded by a 20-cent
tax on each gallon of commercial marine
diesel fuel sold. However, this fund is not
suffcient to cover all new construction
and rehabilitation costs needed for the
aging system, according to DeLapp. The
long-standing, close working relationship
between TVA and the Nashville District
is symbolized by the Barkley Canal, which
connects the Cumberland and Tennes-
see rivers a short distance upstream
from the Barkley and Kentucky Dams.
Barkley Dam is owned by the Corps and
Kentucky Dam is owned by TVA. The
1.75-mile-long canal provides a navigable
channel for both commercial and recre-
ational vessels moving on the two rivers,
and both reservoirs are operated as a
unit for food control and the production
of hydropower.
In addition to the nine TVA Locks on the
Tennessee River, Melton Hill Lock on the
Clinch River, and its 10 projects on the
Cumberland, the Corps is also responsi-
ble for maintaining all navigation channels
on both river systems, he says.
Construction is under way on the Kentucky Lock Addition in Grand Rivers, Ky., a new 1,200-foot lock landward of the existing 600-foot lock and the relocated highway and railroad bridges downstream of the dam. The upstream-bound split barge will be able to lock through as a single tow when work is completed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in partnership with the Tennessee Valley Authority. (Photo courtesy Corps)
1404hr_24 24 3/31/14 9:13 AM
www.hydroworld.com April 2014 / HYDRO REVIEW 25
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We are joined at the hip, says John
McCormick, TVAs senior vice president
for river operations. Lt. Col. DeLapp
and I meet quarterly, and our staffs com-
municate daily. DeLapp concurs, We
and our staffs discuss and coordinate
issues of mutual concern, share expertise
and provide support to maximize our
limited dollars.
Ensuring hydropower supply
The Nashville District produces about
$40 million in annual revenue by convert-
ing waters energy into 3.4 billion kWh of
electricity using 28 turbine-generator units
at its nine hydropower plants (914 MW)
in the Cumberland River Basin, according
to David Mistakovich, chief of the hydro-
power branch. Utilizing hydropower to
generate electricity is a dependable, renew-
able, and environmentally-friendly power
source, he says.
However, with a lack of federal funding
for rehabilitation or replacement, Corps
hydropower plants have exceeded their
typical design life of 35 to 40 years, hav-
ing been in service on average more than
50 years. The risk of component failure
increases with time.
Keeping the aging generators and
switchyards operating has only been pos-
sible through the outstanding performance
of the men and women who have operated
and maintained this equipment over the
decades with limited routine maintenance
funds, according to Jay Sadler, a mechani-
cal engineer in Nashville Districts hydro-
power branch. Although our economical,
green Cumberland River hydropower
plants dont generate as much electricity as
a fossil-fred or nuclear power plant, it is
important that we have them to augment
other power systems as needed. A major
advantage is they can start and stop gener-
ating immediately, which the others cannot
do, Sadler says.
An additional funding source for
rehabilitation was authorized by Section
212 of the Water Resources Develop-
ment Act of 2000 (PL 106-541), which
allows hydropower revenues to be used for
rehabilitating hydropower facilities in lieu
of appropriations.
Subsequently, the 2011 Memoran-
dum of Agreement among the Nashville
preference customers that are signatories
to the 2011 MOA are forwarded for the
rehabilitation, non-routine maintenance,
and modernization of Nashville Dis-
tricts hydropower projects, according
to Mistakovich.
This MOA is a win-win mechanism
that provides funding for rehabilitation
and modernization of equipment for the
District, U.S. Department of Energy,
Southeastern Power Administration
(SEPA), and 24 SEPA preference custom-
ers provides Section 212 rehabilitation
funding for the next 20 years.
SEPA markets electricity from the
Cumberland River system to public bod-
ies and cooperatives, referred to as pref-
erence customers. Receipts from those
1404hr_25 25 3/31/14 9:13 AM
26 HYDRO REVIEW / April 2014 www.hydroworld.com
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http://hydroreview.hotims.com RS #17
Nashville Districts power plants, and guarantees continued low-
cost energy for SEPA customers in Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia,
North Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi and Illinois,
DeLapp said. We are presently negotiating for an additional MOA
to include TVA and the Tennessee Valley Public Power Association
to further increase this mutually benefcial opportunity.
In the next 20 years, SEPA plans to direct more than $1.2 bil-
lion into Corps projects, including $25 million to $40 million per
year for rehabilitating the Nashville Districts 28 turbine-generator
units, according to Wilson.
The higher fgure includes anticipated increased power pro-
duction at the Wolf Creek and Center Hill Hydropower Plants
when those lakes can be safely raised to their normal levels after
major dam safety rehabilitation projects are completed at each,
and when the Corps successfully completes negotiations for an
additional MOA to include TVA and the Tennessee Valley Public
Power Association, Wilson added.
Wolf Creek Dams eight-year, $594 million Safety Reha-
bilitation project is nearing completion and the Corps
goal is to raise Lake Cumberland to normal level in the
spring of 2014, according to Don Getty, Nashville District
project manager.
Center Hills nine-year, $350 million Dam Safety Rehabilita-
tion Project is estimated to be completed in late 2016, after which
the lake should be raised to its normal level.
Regulatory relationships
As TVA and the Corps have related authorities for regulating
waters of the U.S. in the Tennessee River Valley, a 1985 Memoran-
dum of Understanding was executed, setting forth procedures for
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District lifts the rotor assembly from a 270-ton unit at the Barkley Dam Hydropower Plant in August 2012. A complete stator rewind was completed to Barkleys Unit 1 generator, which suffered se-vere damage in a phase-to-ground fault in December 2010. (Photo courtesy Lee Roberts, USACE)
1404hr_26 26 3/31/14 9:13 AM
www.hydroworld.com April 2014 / HYDRO REVIEW 27
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a joint permit application, public notices
and coordination of environmental reviews
of permit applications under the National
Environmental Policy Act. In 2011, the
agencies further clarifed those lead federal
agency roles where overlapping environ-
mental reviews include NEPA, the Endan-
gered Species Act and the National Historic
Preservation Act.
Under the authority of Section 26a of
the TVA Act of 1933, TVA serves as the
lead agency for those actions across, along
or in TVA reservoirs where U.S. property
in TVA custody or control is involved. For
those actions considered off-reservoir, the
Corps serves as lead agency for conduct-
ing requisite environmental reviews under
the authority of Section 10 of the Rivers
and Harbors Act of 1899 and Section
404 of the Clean Water Act, according to
Tammy Turley, chief of the Nashville Dis-
tricts regulatory branch.
Additional partnering
The Nashville District partners with TVA
through interagency and support agree-
ments under the authority of the Economy
in Government Act. An example of this
was in early 2012, when the Nashville Dis-
trict and TVA entered into an agreement
for TVA Power Service Shop personnel
from Muscle Shoals, Ala., to install gen-
erator circuit breakers at the Corps nine
hydropower plants. TVA installed the
Corps-furnished breakers as specifed and
shown on the contract drawings.
Close coordination has been maintained
between TVA and the Corps for the design
efforts at the Kentucky Lock Addition
and the Chickamauga Lock Replacement
projects. The $857 million Kentucky Lock
Addition project has relocated utilities, a
federal highway and a railroad from across
the dam to a location downstream, and a
110 by 1,200-foot lock is being constructed
landside of the existing 110 by 600-foot to