Sign in Subscribe
Public utilities

Public Service Company of Colorado Submits Memorandum of Agreement to Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The Public Service Company of Colorado (PSCo) has submitted a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) regarding the Georgetown Hydroelectric Penstock Disconnect Project. The project was initiated due to an emergency condition at the Georgetown Forebay Dam, which required the disconnection of the penstock downstream of the dam to maintain the reservoir level and prevent potential downstream hazards. The MOA was developed through consultation with FERC, the Colorado State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP), and the National Park Service (NPS), as well as local stakeholders.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Georgetown Hydroelectric Project experienced an equipment failure on April 10, 2022, which restricted PSCo's ability to control the discharge and water level.
  • The penstock was disconnected on May 16, 2022, to provide increased discharge capacity and better ability to maintain the reservoir level.
  • PSCo had been designated by FERC as the non-federal representative for purposes of Section 106 consultation on October 21, 2021.
  • SHPO determined that the proposed undertaking would result in an adverse effect to the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) eligible historic district, and an MOA was required to mitigate the adverse effects.
  • The MOA was developed through consultation with multiple parties and incorporates proposed mitigation based on consultation with FERC and SHPO.
  • The MOA was finalized and presented to FERC on [undisclosed, as the exact date is not provided in the original text].

Statistics:

  • The Georgetown Hydroelectric Project has a total of 2 units, which were restricted due to the equipment failure on April 10, 2022.
  • The penstock (5CC431.1) is part of a National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) eligible historic district called the Georgetown Historic Hydroelectric District.
  • The MOA was developed through consultation with 5 parties: FERC, SHPO, ACHP, NPS, and local stakeholders.
  • The proposed mitigation based on consultation with FERC and SHPO aims to minimize the adverse effects on the NRHP eligible historic district.

Sources:

  • Letter from Public Service Company of Colorado to Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, dated April 28, 2022, transmitting a declaration of an emergency condition.
  • Letter from Public Service Company of Colorado to Colorado State Historic Preservation Office, dated November 12, 2021, requesting consultation on the penstock disconnect project.
  • Letter from Public Service Company of Colorado to Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, dated May 31, 2022, transmitting a letter from FERC to SHPO and ACHP to initiate consultation under the emergency provisions in 36 CFR § 800.12(b)(2).
  • Letter from Public Service Company of Colorado to Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, dated April 21, 2023, transmitting a letter from FERC to SHPO, ACHP, and the National Landmarks Program inviting the Landmarks Program to participate in the consultation.
  • Letter from Public Service Company of Colorado to Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, dated April 28, 2023, transmitting a letter from the National Park Service (NPS) requesting consulting party status for the undertaking.

Read more