Overview
Title
One Drop Hydro, LLC; Notice of Preliminary Permit Application Accepted for Filing and Soliciting Comments, Motions To Intervene, and Competing Applications
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ELI5 AI
One Drop Hydro wants to see if they can make clean energy from a river in Rhode Island using water wheels, and people have 60 days to say what they think about this idea.
Summary AI
One Drop Hydro, LLC, has applied for a preliminary permit to study the feasibility of the Manville Dam Project on the Blackstone River in Rhode Island. The proposed project includes installing two 125-kilowatt turbines and connecting them to the regional grid to generate about 1,839 megawatt-hours of electricity annually. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is accepting comments and competing applications for 60 days from the issuance of this notice. People can submit their comments electronically through the Commission's eFiling system or via mail.
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Sources
AnalysisAI
Summary of the Document
The document announces the filing of an application by One Drop Hydro, LLC, for a preliminary permit to explore the feasibility of the Manville Dam Project on the Blackstone River, Rhode Island. This application was filed with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) on November 23, 2020. The preliminary permit, if granted, will give the applicant priority to file a license application without authorizing any actual physical activities. The project proposes to involve the installation of two new turbines to produce approximately 1,839 megawatt-hours of electricity every year. The notice is open for public comments and competing applications for a period of 60 days from its issuance.
Significant Issues and Concerns
The document does not provide any financial details related to the Manville Dam Project, which could concern taxpayers and stakeholders interested in the project's economic feasibility and potential public spending involved. Additionally, the technical language used, such as "Siphon Kaplan turbine-generator units" and descriptions of the dam specifications, could be challenging for individuals without a technical background in engineering or hydropower to understand.
Moreover, the regulatory and procedural references, like the sections of the Federal Power Act and the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), may be unfamiliar to readers not well-versed in such processes. These complexities could potentially hinder thorough public discourse and engagement.
Impact on the Public
Broadly, the document signifies an advancement in potential renewable energy initiatives which may align with public interest in sustainable development. The harnessing of hydroelectric power could contribute positively to the region's energy mix and reduce dependency on fossil fuels. However, the lack of clarity around financial implications might leave the public inadequately informed about the project's economic impact on local and broader communities.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
For local residents, potential uncertainties could exist concerning environmental impacts, changes in land use, or effects on the local ecosystem. This could lead to both concern and interest from environmental groups who generally scrutinize such developments for any adverse ecological consequences.
Utility companies and other industry stakeholders might view the project as an opportunity to integrate more renewable options into their portfolios, positively impacting their long-term strategies. Competitors in the field of renewable energy could also see this as an opportunity for submitting competing applications if they foresee better technological or economically viable methodologies.
Overall, while this document opens the door for potential renewable energy development, the limited financial information and technical language may inadvertently suppress comprehensive public understanding and engagement on the project's implications.
Issues
• The document does not contain any financial details, so potential wasteful spending cannot be assessed.
• There is no information suggesting favoritism toward specific organizations or individuals, as the document describes a standard regulatory process.
• The technical description of the project might be difficult to understand for individuals without a background in engineering or hydropower, due to specific terms like 'Siphon Kaplan turbine-generator units' and technical specifications like '246-foot-long, 18-foot-high stone masonry, arch-gravity dam'.
• The document uses some regulatory and procedural language that might be challenging for laypersons to fully comprehend, such as references to specific sections of the Federal Power Act and the CFR (Code of Federal Regulations).
• Instructions for submitting comments or filings may be complex for individuals not familiar with the FERC’s electronic filing systems, although this is mitigated to some extent by the provision of contact information for support.