LIHI Certificate #151 – West Delaware Tunnel Project, New York

West Delaware Tunnel Project, LIHI #151
Nombre del proyecto West Delaware Tunnel
Certificado LIHI No.
 151
Plazo del certificado LIHI
 March 29, 2019 – March 28, 2034
Dueño West Delaware Hydropower Associates, LP, a subsidiary of Brookfield Renewable Energy Group
Estado Nueva York
Ubicación Acueducto del oeste de Delaware
Capacidad instalada 7.5 MW
Generación media anual 26,400 MWh
Tipo de instalación Conducto
Comisión Federal de Comercio No. P-9159 exempt 1986

The West Delaware Tunnel Project is located near Grahamsville in Sullivan County, New York, on land owned by the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (NYCDEP) as part of their West Delaware Aqueduct, which supplies drinking water to New York City. The project is located in the aqueduct between Rondout Depósito and Cannonsville Reservoir. The project was constructed in 1987 several decades after the construction of the two reservoirs in 1950 and 1964, respectively.

The project includes a 60-foot-long, 66-inch-diameter compuerta and a central eléctrica. The owner has an easement for the use of the property. The powerhouse contains one vertical Turbina Francis/generator with a capacity of 7.5 MW. Water is diverted from the West Delaware Aqueduct to the buried penstock which brings the water to the powerhouse turbine. The water is discharged into a stilling pool (used to reduce the water velocity) which in turn discharges into Rondout Reservoir.

The project operates as a conduit facility. On a weekly basis, the NYCDEP sends a water allotment based upon NY City’s water supply needs. NYCDEP’s system determines the weekly water allotment based upon a number of factors including reservoir levels, inflow forecasts, climatology, and water quality. If there is a given allotment from the NYCDEP, the project owner will then determine the flow rate and timing schedule to deliver the requested allotment over the period specified. Typically, the project will run its turbine at best efficiency to maximize power for a alcanzando su punto máximo schedule.

Waters within the project reach are designated as Class AA drinking water. The associated reservoirs are both impaired for mercury caused by atmospheric deposition and Cannonsville reservoir is listed for phosphorus from agricultural and municipal sources. As a conduit facility, the project does not impact water quality.

The project does not create a barrier to paso de peces nor are there any migratory fish expected to be impacted by water flowing in the Aqueduct. Both reservoirs are annually stocked with brown, lake, and rainbow trout and natural populations of alewife and smelt can be found in Rondout Reservoir due to its tributary (Rondout Creek).

The powerhouse is located within a fenced property with an area of approximately 4,000 square yards. No lands of significant ecological value are found in the project reach due to its man-made nature.

Threatened and endangered species potentially within the project vicinity include the Bald eagle. A bald eagle nest has been observed roughly 500 feet from the site boundary. The only concern identified was the design of the transmission lines to avoid electrocution hazards associated with the project. The US Fish and Wildlife Service raised this concern, but the transmission lines are not under project ownership.

The project owner consulted with the New York State Division of Historic Preservation which concluded that no historic properties are affected by the operations of the project.

The powerhouse is a secure and fenced area with no opportunity for public access. Recreation at the nearby Rondout Reservoir is strictly controlled and managed by the NYCDEP as it is used for drinking water supply.

Estado de cumplimiento

En el Certificado actual no existen condiciones específicas para ninguna instalación.

2024: No se identificaron cambios materiales ni problemas de cumplimiento. El proyecto sigue cumpliendo con los requisitos según la revisión anual.

2023: No se identificaron cambios materiales ni problemas de cumplimiento. El proyecto sigue cumpliendo con los requisitos según la revisión anual.

2022: No se identificaron cambios materiales ni problemas de cumplimiento. El proyecto sigue cumpliendo con los requisitos según la revisión anual.

2021: No se informaron cambios ni problemas de cumplimiento. El proyecto sigue cumpliendo con los requisitos según la revisión anual.

2020: No se informaron cambios ni problemas de cumplimiento. El proyecto sigue cumpliendo con los requisitos según la revisión anual.

2019: La presentación de informes anuales para el Certificado actual aún no ha entrado en vigor.

Historial de certificaciones

1 de enero de 2022: El plazo del Certificado LIHI se ha extendido de acuerdo con la Revisión 2.05 del Manual de Certificación LIHI 2.ª Edición emitido el 1 de enero de 2022. Consulte la tabla de instalaciones anterior para conocer el nuevo plazo.

July 16, 2019: The decision to certify the West Delaware Tunnel Hydroelectric Project is final. No appeals were received during the appeal period which closed on July 13, 2019. The new certification term for the Project is from March 29, 2019 through March 28, 2029.

June 12, 2019: The Low Impact Hydropower Institute (LIHI) has preliminarily approved Low Impact Certification for the West Delaware Tunnel Hydroelectric Project.

Esta decisión es preliminar y está pendiente del período de apelación de 30 días. Solo aquellos que comentaron sobre la solicitud inicial durante el período de comentarios de 60 días son elegibles para presentar una apelación. Dicha apelación debe incluir una explicación de por qué el Proyecto no cumple con los criterios de LIHI. Las solicitudes de apelación se pueden enviar por correo electrónico a comentarios@lowimpacthydro.org with “West Delaware Tunnel Hydroelectric Project” in the subject line, or by mail addressed to the Low Impact Hydropower Institute, 329 Massachusetts Ave, Suite 6, Lexington, MA 02420. All requests will be posted to the website.  The applicant will have an opportunity to respond and any response will also be posted. Requests must be received by 5 pm Eastern time on July 13, 2019.  La solicitud completa y el informe de los revisores están disponibles a continuación.

If no appeal requests are received and the decision becomes final, the Certification term for the Project (pending LIHI #151) will be March 29, 2019 through March 28, 2029.

April 2, 2019:The Low Impact Hydropower Institute has received a complete application for Low Impact Certification of the West Delaware Tunnel Hydroelectric Project.  LIHI is seeking public comment on this application.  Specifically, we are interested in knowing whether you think the Project meets the LIHI Low Impact Certification Criteria, as revised in the 2nd Edition Handbook.  Please review the program and criteria in LIHI’s revised Manual y luego revise los materiales de solicitud del Proyecto a continuación.

Los comentarios que estén directamente relacionados con criterios específicos del LIHI (caudales, calidad del agua, paso de peces, etc.) serán de gran ayuda, pero se tendrán en cuenta todos los comentarios. Los comentarios pueden enviarse al Instituto por correo electrónico a comentarios@lowimpacthydro.org with “West Delaware Tunnel Project Comments” in the subject line, or by mail addressed to the Low Impact Hydropower Institute, 329 Massachusetts Avenue, Suite 6, Lexington, MA 02420.  Comments must be received on or before 5 pm Eastern time on June 1, 2019 Se considerarán todos los comentarios. Se publicarán en el sitio web y el solicitante tendrá la oportunidad de responder. También se publicarán todas las respuestas.

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