LIHI Certificate #58 - Union Gas Project, Maine

Union Gas Project, LIHI #58
項目名稱 聯合天然氣
理海證書編號 58
LIHI 證書期限 2020年5月9日-2033年5月8日
擁有者 Messalonskee Stream Hydro Associates，Essex Hydro Associates, LLC 的子公司
狀態 緬因州
地點 Located at river mile 1.0 on the Messalonskee Stream, a tributary of the Kennebec River, in Kennebec County, Maine.
裝置容量 1.5 兆瓦
平均年發電量 4,300 MWh
設施類型 修改的 徑流
聯邦能源監管委員會 不。 P-2556 於 1999 年簽發，效期至 2036 年 6 月 30 日

The Union Gas Project is located on Messalonskee Stream in Waterville, Maine. The project is one of four hydropower facilities between Messalonskee Lake 壩 and the Kennebec River. Three of the facilities, Union Gas, Rice Rips (LIHI #59)， 和 Oakland (LIHI #60) 根據 FERC 項目編號 2556 共同獲得許可。 自動項目（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 閃光板；一個 發電站 containing one 1.5-MW vertical 混流式水輪機/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 溢洪道. 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.

項目範圍水域劃為 C 類，適合漁業、初級和 二次接觸娛樂, 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 洄游性 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-標準型： 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 全流域 在 Messalonskee 溪流和更大的 Kennebec 河流域內實施重建策略，其中恢復 洄游性 漁業始於愛德華茲的移除 壩 在 頭-1999 年的潮汐變化使魚類能夠進入距離梅薩隆斯基河匯合處上游約 17 英里的沃特維爾河段。緬因州 DMR 發布了肯納貝克河管理計劃 浪漫的 2020 年資源修正案更新了 1993 年的計畫。該修正案首次將美洲鰻納入其中，其既定目標是「為美洲鰻在其歷史上可進入的棲息地提供安全、及時和有效的上游和下游通道」。

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.

合規狀態

目前證書中沒有針對設施的特定條件。

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: 目前證書的年度報告尚未生效。然而，該計畫報告稱，從 9 月 1 日到 10 月 30 日，夜間將繼續關閉，以便美洲鰻順流而下。

認證歷史

2022 年 1 月 1 日： 根據 2022 年 1 月 1 日發布的 LIHI 第二版認證手冊第 2.05 版，LIHI 證書期限已延長。

2021 年 8 月 27 日： 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.

2021 年 7 月 27 日： 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 評論@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. 請求必須在 2021 年 8 月 26 日美國東部時間下午 5 點之前收到。 完整的申請和審查報告如下。如果沒有收到上訴請求且決定成為最終決定，則該計畫的認證期限為 2020 年 5 月 9 日至 2028 年 5 月 8 日。

2021 年 5 月 3 日： 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, 魚道等等）將非常有幫助，但所有評論都會被考慮。意見可以透過電子郵件提交給 LIHI，郵箱地址為 評論@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. 意見必須在 2021 年 7 月 2 日美國東部時間下午 5 點或之前送達研究所，才會被考慮。 所有評論都將發佈到網站上，申請人將有機會回應。任何回應也將被發布。該應用程式可在下面找到。

2016年5月2日： 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:

  • 2020年滿意 條件一：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.

2015年12月4日： 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.

2015年11月24日： 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.

2015年6月19日： The Union Gas Project has been granted an extension of the current certificate term. The new expiration date is December 31, 2015.

2010年10月22日： The Union Gas Project has been certified as low impact for a five year term, effective May 9, 2010 and expiring May 9, 2015.

2010年7月9日： 此認證申請的公眾意見徵詢期已經結束。

2010年5月9日： 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.

認證文件

2021 年重新認證

2015 年重新認證

2010年認證

關鍵文件