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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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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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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.

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1404hr_2 2 3/31/14 9:12 AM


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


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.

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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


1404hr_7 7 3/31/14 9:12 AM


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


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


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

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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

1404hr_12 12 3/31/14 9:13 AM

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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


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


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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


1404hr_19 19 3/31/14 9:13 AM


years


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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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

1404hr_22 22 3/31/14 9:13 AM


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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

1404hr_23 23 3/31/14 9:13 AM



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


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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


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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


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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

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