LIHI Certificate #58 - Union Gas Project, Maine

Union Gas Project, LIHI #58
Nom du projet Union Gas
Numéro de certificat LIHI 58
Durée du certificat LIHI 9 mai 2020 – 8 mai 2033
Propriétaire Messalonskee Stream Hydro Associates, une filiale d'Essex Hydro Associates, LLC
État Maine
Emplacement Located at river mile 1.0 on the Messalonskee Stream, a tributary of the Kennebec River, in Kennebec County, Maine.
Capacité installée 1,5 MW
Génération annuelle moyenne 4,300 MWh
Type d'établissement modifié au fil de l'eau
Fédération internationale de radio-télévision (FERC) Non. P-2556 délivré en 1999, expire le 30/06/2036

The Union Gas Project is located on Messalonskee Stream in Waterville, Maine. The project is one of four hydropower facilities between Messalonskee Lake barrage and the Kennebec River. Three of the facilities, Union Gas, Rice Rips (LIHI #59), et Oakland (LIHI #60) sont autorisés ensemble dans le cadre du projet FERC n° 2556. Projet automatique (LIHI #72) is located upstream of Union Gas which is situated 1 mile upstream of the confluence of Messalonskee Stream with the Kennebec River. The original dam was constructed in the early 1900’s, it failed in 2001 and was rebuilt in 2007. Project works consist of a 343-foot-long dam with 1.5-foot-high tableaux d'affichage; un centrale containing one 1.5-MW vertical Turbine Francis/generator; and a 1.5-mile-long impoundment with a gross storage capacity of 600 acre-feet. The dam creates a bypassed reach approximately 1 mile long.

The project’s operational mode is dependent on inflow to Messalonskee Lake. When inflow to Messalonskee Lake is greater than approximately 570 cfs, the project is operated as a run-of-river project. All water that does not go through the turbines is passed over the déversoir. When inflow is less than approximately 570 cfs, the project is cycled based on stored water that is released from Messalonskee Lake with a 1.3-foot useable storage range. The project provides a minimum bypass flow of 15 cfs. This flow regime is based on recommendation from the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (MDEP) to assist in improving water quality in the river and protecting aquatic biota.

Les eaux situées dans la zone du projet sont désignées comme étant de classe C, adaptées à la pêche, primaires et loisirs de contact secondaire, aquatic habitat, and drinking water supply after treatment. The minimum flow regime minimizes the effect of phosphorus loading to protect aquatic biota habitat. The phosphorus loading and subsequent issues with low dissolved oxygen concentrations are likely caused by effluent from the upstream Union Gas Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Historically, there is little evidence detailing the presence of anadromous species in Messalonskee Stream although American shad may use habitat downstream of the project to the river’s confluence with the Kennebec River. Additionally, there is limited rearing and spawning habitat upstream of the Messalonskee Stream projects. American eel, a catadrome species, is the only migratory species present in the project area. In 2010, the Messalonskee Stream projects began installation of upstream and downstream passage for American eel. These facilities were completed in 2018 and approved for permanent passage in 2019 by Maine Department of Marine Resources (MDMR).

PLUS-Standard: The project owner voluntarily provides nighttime shutdowns at all four of its projects on Messalonskee Stream for American eel downstream passage, from 6pm to 2 am between September 1 to October 30. MDMR is currently collaborating with the project owner to adjust the timing of these shutdowns to better protect the migrating species. This action constitutes a à l'échelle du bassin stratégie de réaménagement à la fois dans le ruisseau Messalonskee et dans le bassin versant plus vaste de la rivière Kennebec où la restauration de la diadrome la pêche a commencé avec le retrait d'Edwards Barrage au têteEn 1999, la marée basse a été levée et les poissons ont pu accéder à environ 27 kilomètres de rivière jusqu'à Waterville, en amont du confluent du ruisseau Messalonskee. Le ministère des Ressources naturelles du Maine a publié le plan de gestion de la rivière Kennebec. Diadrome L'amendement de 2020 sur les ressources a mis à jour un plan antérieur de 1993. Cet amendement inclut pour la première fois l'anguille d'Amérique, avec pour objectif déclaré de « fournir un passage sûr, rapide et efficace en amont et en aval à l'anguille d'Amérique dans son habitat historiquement accessible ».

The project lands consist of 19 acres. The project area is highly developed and bordered by a steep gradient with commercial buildings and residential homes. The shoreline in the project tailrace area is predominantly granite and gravel substrate which project operations have minimal impact on.

Threatened or endangered species potentially present in the project vicinity include Northern long-eared bat, Atlantic salmon, and black tern. The project area does not provide any suitable habitat for the bat species. Waterfowl surveys of the project area concluded that project operations do not impact habitat or nesting practices for the black tern. The species has been observed nesting in the Messalonskee Lake impoundment. According to USFWS, providing passage for Atlantic salmon in the Messalonskee watershed is not desirable.

Several pre-contact period archaeological resources have been identified in the vicinity of the Messalonskee Stream projects, associated with Messalonskee Lake. The project owner maintains a Cultural Resources Management Plan and periodically assesses any impacts on these resources with the assistance of the Maine Historic Preservation Commission. The Commission concluded that project operations are not adversely impacting the resources in the area.

Recreational resources at the project include a boat ramp on the Kennebec River, fishing in the tailrace with informal access on the east side of the river, and an ADA accessible fishing platform in Messalonskee Lake. Public access is provided free of charge.

État de conformité

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

2025: No material changes or compliance issues were identified. The project remains in compliance based on the annual review.  Nightly shutdowns during eel migration season continue.

2024: No material changes or compliance issues were identified. The project remains in compliance based on the annual review.  Nightly shutdowns during eel migration season continue.

2023: No material changes or compliance issues were identified. The project remains in compliance based on the annual review.  Nightly shutdowns during eel migration season continue.

2022: No material changes or compliance issues were identified. The project remains in compliance based on the annual review.  The project reported on the 2021 downstream American eel passage study which resulted in 14 eels observed.  Nightly shutdowns during eel migration season continue.

2021: Le rapport annuel relatif au certificat actuel n'est pas encore entré en vigueur. Cependant, le projet a signalé la poursuite des fermetures nocturnes du 1er septembre au 30 octobre pour la migration en aval des anguilles d'Amérique.

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.

27 août 2021 : The Low Impact Hydropower Institute has issued a final decision on the recertification of the Union Gas Project. The 30-day appeal window closed on August 26, 2021 and no appeals were filed. Therefore, the decision to recertify the project is now final. The new term is May 9, 2020 through May 8, 2028.

27 juillet 2021 : The Low Impact Hydropower Institute (LIHI) has preliminarily approved the Union Gas Project for a new 8-year term of Low Impact Certification. This decision is preliminary pending the 30-day appeal window. Only those who commented on the initial application during the 60-day comment period are eligible to file an appeal. Such appeal needs to include an explanation as to how the Project does not meet the LIHI criteria. Appeal requests can be submitted by email to commentaires@lowimpacthydro.org with “Union Gas Project” in the subject line, or by mail addressed to the Low Impact Hydropower Institute, 1167 Massachusetts Ave, Office 407, Arlington, MA 02476. All requests will be posted to the website. The applicant will have an opportunity to respond and any response will also be posted. Les demandes doivent être reçues avant 17 h, heure de l’Est, le 26 août 2021. Les candidatures complètes et les rapports d'évaluation sont disponibles ci-dessous. Si aucune demande d'appel n'est reçue et que la décision devient définitive, la période de certification du projet s'étendra du 9 mai 2020 au 8 mai 2028.

3 mai 2021 : The Low Impact Hydropower Institute (LIHI) has received a complete recertification application from Messalonskee Stream Hydro Associates for the Union Gas Project. LIHI is seeking comment on the application. Comments that are directly tied to specific LIHI criteria (flows, water quality, passage des poissons, etc.) seront très utiles, mais tous les commentaires seront pris en compte. Les commentaires peuvent être envoyés au LIHI par courrier électronique à l'adresse commentaires@lowimpacthydro.org with “Union Gas Comments” in the subject line, or by mail addressed to the Low Impact Hydropower Institute, 1167 Massachusetts Avenue, Office 407, Arlington, MA 02476. Les commentaires doivent être reçus à l’Institut au plus tard à 17 heures, heure de l’Est, le 2 juillet 2021 pour être pris en compte. Tous les commentaires seront publiés sur le site web et le candidat aura la possibilité d'y répondre. Toute réponse sera également publiée. Le formulaire de candidature est disponible ci-dessous.

2 mai 2016 : LIHI Executive Director Michael J. Sale, using authority delegated from the LIHI Governing Board, has certified that the Union Gas Hydroelectric Project (FERC No. P-2556) satisfies the LIHI Certification Criteria. A Preliminary Decision was announced on April 1, 2016, and a 30-day appeal period was open through May 1, 2016. No requests for appeal were received. This Certification Decision includes one facility-specific condition, as follows:

  • Satisfait en 2020 Condition 1 :On the Owner’s Annual Compliance Statements, the Owner will update LIHI the status of downstream eel passage at the site. The Owner will notify LIHI within 45 days of when DMR determines there is a sufficient number of eel to present in the river to conduct the studies needed to determine the best location to install downstream passage. A summary of those study results, along with a DMR approved plan and schedule for downstream eel passage installation, shall be included in that year’s Annual Compliance Statement.

The effective certification date for the Union Gas Project is May 9, 2015 for a five (5) year term, which will expire on May 9, 2020.

4 décembre 2015 : LIHI has received a comment letter from the Maine Department of Marine Resources in support of the recertification of the Union Gas project. The comment may be found in the Files section below.

24 novembre 2015 : The Low Impact Hydropower Institute has received a complete application for a new term of Low Impact Certification for the Union Gas Hydroelectric project.  The application materials can be found in the Files section below. The public comment period for this application closed on January 23, 2015.

19 juin 2015 : The Union Gas Project has been granted an extension of the current certificate term. The new expiration date is December 31, 2015.

22 octobre 2010 : The Union Gas Project has been certified as low impact for a five year term, effective May 9, 2010 and expiring May 9, 2015.

9 juillet 2010 : La période de commentaires publics pour la demande de certification est terminée.

9 mai 2010 : Messalonskee Stream Hydro Associates has submitted an application for certification of the Union Gas Hydroelectric Project. A public comment period will remain open for 60 days.

Dossiers de certification

Recertification 2021

Recertification 2015

Certification 2010

Documents clés