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Electric utilities

Regional Solution Proposed to Preserve Flows in Russian River and Improve Eel River Fisheries

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

A regional solution is being proposed to advance a sustainable and harvestable Eel River fishery, while preserving flows in the Russian River and ensuring upstream and downstream fish migration at Cape Horn Dam. The Mendocino County Inland Power and Water Commission (MCIWPC), the Round Valley Indian Tribes (RVIT), and the Sonoma County Water Agency (Sonoma Water) submitted a proposal to Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) last week to preserve water diversions to the Russian River. The proposal aims to allow for ongoing water diversions through the Potter Valley Hydroelectric Project's (PVP) tunnel between the Eel River and Russian River, while supporting larger efforts to achieve naturally reproducing, self-sustaining, and harvestable native anadromous fish populations.

Key Takeaways:

  • The proposal was submitted by the Mendocino County Inland Power and Water Commission (MCIWPC), the Round Valley Indian Tribes (RVIT), and the Sonoma County Water Agency (Sonoma Water) to Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E).
  • The proposal aims to preserve water diversions to the Russian River and ensure upstream and downstream fish migration at Cape Horn Dam.
  • The proposal seeks PG&E to include provisions in its final license surrender application that would allow the regional entity to preserve some of the water diversion components near Cape Horn Dam and obtain Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) approval for the regional entity to construct the New Eel-Russian Facility.
  • The regional solution proposal was submitted to PG&E in response to its decision to surrender its license for operating the PVP, and its requirement to receive a proposal by July 2023 from any entity interested in owning part of the PVP facilities.
  • The final application is required for submittal to the FERC by January 31, 2025.
  • PG&E has previously shared that it would consider proposals for a third party to retain certain project features.
  • The input received from multiple stakeholders was invaluable in developing this proposal.

Statistics:

  • The Potter Valley Hydroelectric Project (PVP) has been in operation for over 100 years.
  • The proposal seeks to preserve water diversions to the Russian River, which are vital to the Russian River basin.
  • PG&E's schedule for filing a license surrender application and decommissioning plan calls for the utility company to complete an initial draft surrender application by November 2023 and a final draft surrender application by May 2024.
  • The final application is required for submittal to the FERC by January 31, 2025.

Sources:

  • A news release from the Mendocino County Inland Power and Water Commission (MCIWPC), the Round Valley Indian Tribes (RVIT), and the Sonoma County Water Agency (Sonoma Water)
  • A statement from Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E)
  • A statement from Representative Jared Huffman
  • A statement from California Trout

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