Murkowski Introduces Reynolds Creek Hydro Extension Bill

MURKOWSKI INTRODUCES REYNOLDS CREEK HYDRO EXTENSION BILL

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski today reintroduced legislation to extend the license of the proposed Reynolds Creek hydroelectric project on Prince of Wales Island in Southeast. The legislation would give the Haida Corp., the sponsor of the project, up to six additional years to begin construction of the project.

Murkowski last year introduced and won full Senate approval for legislation to extend the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission license for the proposed 5-megawatt power project. FERC had issued a license three years ago for the 20-foot long, 6-foot high dam on Reynolds Creek - the project including a 3,200-foot penstock and a powerhouse and two turbine units and a transmission line to take power produced by the hydro project to Hydaburg - population 364. The bill, while it cleared the Senate, did not have time to pass the House in the closing days of the 108th Congress.

Murkowski said the extension is needed to give more time for the island's economy - and electrical usage needs - to recover from the downturn caused by the reduction in logging efforts. The project will produce power that is less expensive and more environmentally friendly than the current diesel-generated power used on the island -- once electrical demand recovers to make the project's capital costs more economically affordable for local rate payers.

The bill now heads to the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee for its new review.

http://murkowski.senate.gov/pressapp/record.cfm?id=230930