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| 8/21/2009 6:00:00 AM | Email this article • Print this article | City moves forward with small hydropower facility
Steve Grazier
Journal Staff Writer
Cortez is powering up for the construction of new hydroelectric plant.
The city established a hydroelectric power enterprise during its Aug. 11 regular meeting and authorized loan documents for the approximately $2 million hydropower center, said City Manager Jay Harrington.
"Basically, we'll be taking energy (water pressure) that's not utilized ... to create electricity," Harrington said. "It's a 20-year project to recoup money. But in 20 years, the city will have an asset as a moneymaker."
Harrington noted that an agreement is in place with Empire Electric Association to produce power through the city hydroelectric plant. That power will go into Empire's grid and help the cooperative's renewable energy needs.
"The pieces are continuing to move forward on the project," he said.
In addition, a hydroelectric plant could generate electricity off an existing pipeline to provide enough power to run the water treatment facility altogether and produce additional power used for other resources, according to Jack Nickerson, the city's public works director.
"We could generate enough power to run the entire (water treatment) plant and have some left over to sell back to Empire Electric for credit," Nickerson has said. "We want to utilize the energy that's there, and lower the city's carbon footprint (in burning electricity) at the same time."
The loan between Cortez and the Colorado Water Resources and Power Development Authority is for approximately $1.46 million with the total project cost coming in at about $1.96 million, Harrington said. A $500,000 grant for the hydroelectric plant has been awarded to the city by Gov. Bill Ritter's energy office.
Harrington said the 20-year financial loan at 2 percent interest with the state's power authority is scheduled to close Wednesday, Aug. 26.
The power plant will be located one-quarter mile from the city's water treatment facility northeast of Cortez along County Road N. City officials hope construction will begin in mid- to late November on the 600-square-foot structure.
Reach Steve Grazier at steveg@cortezjournal.com.
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