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

West Delaware Tunnel Project, LIHI #151
Nom du projet West Delaware Tunnel
Numéro de certificat LIHI
 151
Durée du certificat LIHI
 March 29, 2019 – March 28, 2034
Propriétaire West Delaware Hydropower Associates, LP, a subsidiary of Brookfield Renewable Energy Group
État New York
Emplacement West Delaware Aqueduct
Capacité installée 7.5 MW
Génération annuelle moyenne 26,400 MWh
Type d'établissement Conduit
Fédération internationale de radio-télévision (FERC) Non. 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 Réservoir 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 conduite forcée and a centrale. The owner has an easement for the use of the property. The powerhouse contains one vertical Turbine 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 culminant 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 passage des poissons 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.

État de conformité

Il n’y a pas de conditions spécifiques à l’établissement dans le certificat actuel.

2024: Aucun changement important ni problème de conformité n'ont été identifiés. Le projet reste conforme sur la base de l'examen annuel.

2023: Aucun changement important ni problème de conformité n'ont été identifiés. Le projet reste conforme sur la base de l'examen annuel.

2022: Aucun changement important ni problème de conformité n'ont été identifiés. Le projet reste conforme sur la base de l'examen annuel.

2021: Aucun changement ni problème de conformité n'a été signalé. Le projet reste conforme sur la base de l'examen annuel.

2020: Aucun changement ni problème de conformité n'a été signalé. Le projet reste conforme sur la base de l'examen annuel.

2019: Le rapport annuel pour le certificat actuel n’est pas encore entré en vigueur.

Historique des certifications

1er janvier 2022 : La durée du certificat LIHI a été prolongée conformément à la révision 2.05 du manuel de certification LIHI 2e édition publié le 1er janvier 2022. Reportez-vous au tableau des établissements ci-dessus pour connaître la nouvelle durée.

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.

Cette décision est préliminaire en attendant la période d'appel de 30 jours. Seuls ceux qui ont commenté la demande initiale pendant la période de commentaires de 60 jours sont éligibles pour déposer un appel. Un tel appel doit inclure une explication sur la raison pour laquelle le projet ne répond pas aux critères du LIHI. Les demandes d'appel peuvent être soumises par courrier électronique à commentaires@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.  The full application and reviewers report are available below.

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 Manuel et consultez ensuite les documents de candidature du projet ci-dessous.

Comments that are directly tied to specific LIHI criteria (flows, water quality, fish passage, etc.) will be most helpful, but all comments will be considered.  Comments may be submitted to the Institute by e-mail at commentaires@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 à prendre en considération. Tous les commentaires seront publiés sur le site Web et le candidat aura la possibilité d'y répondre. Toute réponse sera également publiée.

Dossiers de certification

Certification 2019

Documents clés