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United States. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District Responds to Comments on Transfer of Hydroelectric Projects

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District has submitted a response to comments raised by American Dams regarding the transfer of two hydroelectric projects to the District. American Dams had expressed concerns about the District's ability to manage and operate the hydropower facilities, citing a lack of comparable experience. In its response, the District emphasizes its expertise in managing water resource infrastructure, including pipeline systems, reservoirs, and dams, and highlights its successful experience in planning and operating in-conduit hydropower projects.

Key Takeaways:

  • The San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District has submitted a response to comments raised by American Dams regarding the transfer of two hydroelectric projects to the District.
  • The District emphasizes its expertise in managing water resource infrastructure, including pipeline systems, reservoirs, and dams.
  • The District highlights its successful experience in planning and operating in-conduit hydropower projects.
  • The District has successfully operated and maintained large-diameter pipeline systems, including boosters stations and reservoirs, as part of the East Branch Extension of the State Water Project.
  • The District has led and completed the planning, engineering, design, and construction of three in-conduit hydropower projects within the last decade.
  • The District has developed and submitted a detailed Emergency Action Plan (EAP) for its dams, which was approved in March 2022 by the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services, Dam Safety Planning Division.

Statistics:

  • The District has successfully operated and maintained large-diameter pipeline systems (up to 96 inches in diameter) for decades.
  • The District has completed three in-conduit hydropower projects within the last decade.
  • The District has developed and submitted a detailed Emergency Action Plan (EAP) for its dams, which was approved in March 2022.
  • The hydroelectric facilities under consideration are modest in scale, with most generating units being 1 megawatt or smaller, except for SAR 3, which slightly exceeds 1 megawatt.

Sources:

  • [1] Comments of American Dams, Project Nos. 1933 and 1934 (filed May 16, 2025)
  • [2] Response of San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District, Project Nos. 1933 and 1934 (filed [date unknown])

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