The Essex Partnership, LLC

Hunt’s Mill Hydropower Project

admin — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 17:09:27 +0000

On October 14, 2011, the City of East Providence (City) applied for a Preliminary Permit from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to explore redeveloping hydropower at the Hunt’s Mill Dam on the Ten Mile River in East Providence, Rhode Island. The filing can be downloaded below or can be accessed through the FERC eLibrary (http://elibrary.ferc.gov/idmws/search/fercgensearch.asp / Docket No. 14306).

Over the coming year the City will be conducting a variety of studies to further assess the feasibility of the project and explore the potential for hydropower development to provide public benefits. Depending on the outcome of these studies, the City will prepare and submit formal development applications to the FERC for their review and approval. Throughout the pre-development process the City will look to engage stakeholders and the public in the process.

At this point we anticipate that construction associated with this project will be confined to the local area around the dam. The project would be operated in a “run-of-river” mode and thus would not change the existing pond levels or river flows. In fact, development of the project would help ensure the long-term maintenance of the dam and pond. In addition, the project would be designed and operated in a manner compatable with completed and on-going efforts to restore anadromous fish passage to the Ten Mile River.

Background Documents:

Blackstone River Hydropower Initiative

admin — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 18:45:37 +0000

In 2010 the Conservation Law Foundation, working in collaboration with local municipalities, the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation, the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, and other Blackstone Valley stakeholders initiated an effort to form the Northern Rhode Island Municipal Energy Collaborative. The purpose of the Collaborative is to explore opportunities to develop renewable energy in Northern Rhode Island for municipal benefit while at the same time protecting important historic, cultural, and ecological values.

One of the first initiatives of the Collaborative was to examine the potential for using existing dams on the Blackstone River to generate renewable energy. Results of preliminary studies indicate that development of hydropower at several of the existing dams could be economically viable.

Ashton Hydro, LLC and Albion Hydro, LLC (formed specifically to advance the vision of the Collaborative) have applied for Preliminary Permits from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to explore developing hydropower at the Ashton and Albion dams in Lincoln and Cumberland, Rhode Island. Additional information on these filings is provided below.

Over the coming year the Collaborative will be conducting a variety of studies to further assess the feasibility of these projects and explore potential ownership structures that would facilitate hydropower development for public benefit. Depending on the outcome of these studies, the Collaborative will prepare and submit formal development applications to the FERC for their review and approval. Throughout the pre-development process we will look to engage stakeholders and the public in the process.

Our approach to hydropower development is guided by the principles outlined by the Low Impact Hydropower Institute (LIHI). LIHI tests a projects environmental impacts against ten stringent critieria including; water quality, fish passage, instream flows, cultural and historic resources, and others and provides an independent evaluation of individual projects nationally. At this point we anticipate that construction associated with these projects would be confined to the local area around the dams. The projects would be operated as a “run-of-river” and thus would not change the existing pond levels or river flows in any way. In fact, development of the projects would help to ensure the long-term maintenance of the dams and ponds. We have conducted initial outreach with the local environmental community and are acutely aware of efforts to restore fish passage on the river. Our approach to development will include provisions for both upstream and downstream passage of dianadromous fish.

The intent of this site is to provide a centralized location for interested parties to obtain additional information on the collaborative and specific details on the projects.

Background on the Collaborative:

Memorandum of Understanding (Collaborative)

Phase I Feasibility Study Materials:

Preliminary Permit Applications:

Goals & Objectives: Science Advisors Meeting (4/12/11)

admin — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 16:27:01 +0000

Suggested Background Materials

Process and Charge for the Advisors
Draft Glossary for BDCP Advisors
Excerpts from the BDCP Plan
- Highlights of the BDCP (12/10 – Summary)
- Introduction
- BDCP Conservation Strategy (11/18/10 Chapter 3 – complete)
- List of current BDCP conservation measures
- Stressor Information – Table 3-3 (page 3-37)
- Stressor Effects Diagrams
- Species Accounts (Appendix A: Fish)
- Monitoring metrics tables. Table 3-20, pages 3-465 to 3-565.
Logic Chain Background Information
Delta Regional Ecosystem Restoration Implementation Plan (DRERIP) Conceptual Models (Processes, Habitats, Species, Stressors)
Current BDCP Goals and Objectives -
Stewardship Council Delta Plan (3/18/11 Draft)
Example HCP Goals and Objectives (excerpts)
HCP 5 Point Policy / BDCP memo / NMFS Talking Points on 5 Point Policy
Information on Viable Salmon Population (VSP) criteria
Links to Other Habitat Conservation Plans

Click here for bulk download of the above materials (ftp: username = Advisor / password = BDCP1)

Strategic Planning and Process Improvements

admin — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 17:38:10 +0000

The Essex Partnership was retained by a growing energy development company to assist in identifying internal process and organizational changes that could be made to improve performance and profitability. The Partnership worked closely with management and staff and held a series of facilitated workshops to clarify the vision, goals, and objectives for the company. Specific actions and organizational adjustments were then identified that would aid the company in achieving its long-term goals.

Black River Hydropower Desktop Study

admin — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 17:28:05 +0000

Essex conducted an initial assessment of the hydropower potential of three former dam sites on the Black River in New York. The scope of the assignment included, developing conceptual project configurations; identification of environmental issues, capital and operating costs, installed capacity and energy production. Results of the desktop were used by the client to make an initial “Go/No Go” decision. Essex was able to leverage existing publically available information to prepare and secure a FERC preliminary permit and develop a Preliminary Application Document (PAD) for two promising project configurations. Unfortunately, despite being technically feasible and economically promising, the projects were not pursued due to circumstances beyond our control.

Small Hydropower Project Acquistion: Buyer’s Due Diligence

admin — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 17:24:27 +0000

Energy Fundamentals Group, an energy infrastructure investor, engaged the Essex Partnership to conduct a due diligence assessment of a small hydropower project in southern New England. The projects physical, mechanical and electrical systems were inspected and assessed to estimate their longevity. Items related to the existing power purchase agreement (PPA), property lease, and FERC exemption was examined to determine transferability. The assessment also included a thorough review of plans and financial agreements associated with a planned fish passage facility that will be installed by non-regulatory Federal agencies. Several issues were identified that required clarification and modification of key contractual terms prior to proceeding with the acquisition. Essex provided additional assistance to EFG in facilitating discussions with key project stakeholders which were critical in the success of the negotiation.

Hydropower Portfolio Acquisition: Buyer’s Due Diligence

admin — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 17:17:30 +0000

Essex conducted a due diligence assessment of a 14 project portfolio of hydropower projects consisting over 100 MW of capacity for a major private equity fund. Our due diligence assessment included a thorough review of project features, license conditions and compliance history, operating expenses, and generation records. A preliminary condition assessment was also conducted on all major equipment components. Essex completed a rapid screening of all 14 assets to facilitate a one month close.

Strategic Environmental Assessment

admin — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 17:10:37 +0000

As part of a broader investigation of the feasibility of increasing capacity at existing generation facilities, the Essex Partnership evaluated several sites to assess their potential to support generation assets. Using a combination of desktop analysis and field reconnaissance we identified site specific environmental opportunities and constraints. Working closely with our client we applied information from the preliminary strategic environmental assessment to develop alternatives and further evaluate the economics and relative risk of environmentally feasible options for adding capacity at the study sites.

Delta Regional Ecosystem Restoration Implementation Plan (DRERIP)

admin — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 17:00:31 +0000

The Essex Partnership is providing strategic planning and facilitation services to the California Department of Fish and Game, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the National Marine Fisheries Service relative to ecosystem restoration planning in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta. Activities include facilitating the development and application of species and ecosystem conceptual models, designing and facilitating scientific workshops and evaluations of proposed restoration actions, and integration with on-going regulatory activities. The Partnership is also providing technical support, facilitation, scheduling, and meeting documentation support for an Adaptive Management Planning Team formed to help oversee the science component of the Delta Regional Ecosystem Restoration Implementation Planning effort.

Woonasquatucket River: Fish Passage Restoration Program

admin — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 16:57:27 +0000

Essex staff provided key project management and restoration planning services in the preparation of design and permitting materials associated with fish passage and river restoration at three dams in Providence, Rhode Island. Responsibilities included coordination of multiple public and private project stakeholders, oversight of engineering design staff as well as the development of all pertinent permit applications. The presence of a CERCLA Superfund site upstream of the project area created a complex regulatory environment. Specific challenges associated with this project included designing and balancing appropriate sediment management techniques and restoration objectives.