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FULTON, New York, Oct. 31, 2003 -- Reliant Energy's Erie Boulevard Hydropower, L.P. has commenced enhancement work in follow up to its Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) operating license at its Oswego Falls East and Oswego Falls West hydropower plants on the Oswego River in Fulton, New York, Oswego County.
Combined, the enhancement projects are expected to total nearly $2.3 million, and are part of Reliant's ongoing investment of more than $50 million into its New York State hydropower business during the next five years. Through general partner, Erie Boulevard Hydropower, Reliant owns and operates 71 hydro facilities in New York with a total operating capacity of 672 megawatts.
Among the improvements to be made at the 4.5-megawatt Oswego Falls East plant, is the installation of a new ladder over the spillway to facilitate the seasonal upstream movement of American Eels. These are the only eel species found in freshwater rivers in North America.
"In order to install the new eel ladder, we will have to cut an 18-inch wide notch in the existing concrete apron downstream of the spillway," said David Youlen, Reliant's managing director-Hydro Generation. "The ladder will be constructed of galvanized steel cable tray containing plastic posts that the eels can brace against in order to move up the ladder.
"Along with a small stream of water flowing down the ladder, this new structure should help aid the upstream movement of this fish, which usually migrates on the river from mid-June through mid-September," Youlen added.
The American Eel is unique in that adults migrate from freshwater to the Atlantic Ocean (the Sargasso Sea near Bermuda) to spawn. It is the young eels that journey back to freshwater.
Reliant plans other enhancements at the Oswego Falls East hydro plant, including the installation of new, 1-inch-spaced, fish-friendly trashracks. To assist in the installation, Reliant will build a cofferdam - a watertight structure upstream of the work to be performed - thus emptying the powerhouse forebay of water and permitting access for equipment.
The 1-inch-spaced trashracks will replace the 31/2-inch trashracks currently at this site, and will help minimize the movement of fish through the plant's hydro turbines. Reliant will also install a new motorized trashrack raker to help pull debris, logs and weeds off the upstream face of the new trashracks.
Also at this site, Reliant will replace the existing 18-inch high wooden flashboards on the crest of the spillway with a new, 18-inch-by-202-foot, inflatable pneumatic flashboard system.
According to Jeffrey Bernard, Reliant's Oswego Falls East/West project manager, "The new rubber and steel pneumatic flashboards will help minimize annual pond level fluctuations required to maintain the old flashboards, and, therefore, keep the pond at more consistent levels throughout the year. This new system will benefit fish habitats, boaters, and power generation."
Bernard added, "Another distinct advantage is that the new flashboard system can easily be operated for flood discharge purposes with the push of a button. Also, less maintenance will be required compared to the existing wooden structures that are prone to breakage."
B-S Industrial, Gouverneur, New York, was awarded the work for the Oswego Falls East and West enhancement projects. Reliant plans to complete most of the improvement work at both these plants by the end of 2003.
Work at Reliant's 2.3-megawatt Oswego Falls West hydro site was also recently started. The work scope for this project includes:
* Fabrication and installation of headgates in place of the existing trashracks in the bulkhead structure. Once the gates are installed and water cannot flow into the work area, the original trashrack structure will be removed. Some concrete patching of the bulkhead structure will also be performed.
* Rehabilitation of the existing forebay wall by removing the deteriorated concrete, and placing a reinforced concrete overlay from just below the normal water line to the top.
* Re-watering of the area, removal of the headgates, and fabrication and installation of new, 1-inch spaced steel trashracks in the bulkhead.
* Purchase and installation of a new motorized trashrack raker on top of the bulkhead structure.
Water levels in the Oswego Falls Reservoir have been lowered by as much as 2 feet, 5 inches from normal levels to allow for the project work to be completed. Reliant has previously taken steps to accelerate the contractor's schedule by increasing manpower and hours worked in order to complete the draw down activities by December 31, 2003. In addition, Reliant is considering additional steps that could significantly accelerate the schedule and allow restoration of normal pond levels prior to year's end.
Reliant Resources (NYSE: RRI), based in Houston, Texas, provides electricity and energy services to wholesale and retail customers in the U.S. and Europe, marketing those services under the Reliant Energy brand name.
The company has approximately 21,000 megawatts of power generation capacity in operation, under construction or under contract in the U.S. and nearly 3,500 megawatts of power generation in operation in Western Europe. At the retail level, Reliant provides a complete suite of energy products and services to electricity customers in Texas ranging from residences and small businesses to large commercial, institutional and industrial customers.
For more information, visit the company's web site at www.reliantresources.com.
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