By Liz Beavers
lbeavers@newstribune.info
managing editor
KEYSER — Despite some previously-stated reservations about the lack of permanent jobs to be generated, the Mineral County Commission Tuesday voted to write a letter of support for the hydroelectric facility proposed to be constructed on Jennings Randolph Lake.
The letter, directed to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in Washington, D.C., was recommended by the Mineral County Green Jobs Task Force, which is chaired by Commission President Wayne Spiggle.
“The Mineral County Green Jobs Task Force studied the proposal and recommended that county government
endorse it,” the letter states. “The task force and the commission found no environmental impact that would be adverse to current uses of the dam.
“While the jobs associated with the project would be minimal and the generated electricity may not be utilized locally, the county does anticipate a modest benefit via property taxes the company would be paying,” the letter continued.
“Needed local construction work will also be generated by this project.”
David Sinclair, a representative of Fairlawn Hydroelectric, a subsidiary of Advanced Hydro Solutions of Fairlawn, Ohio, met with the commissioners in June to share information about the proposed facility.
Sinclair assured the commissioners at the time that the addition of a power plant on the lake would not affect the water levels in the reservoir, nor would it interfere with the recreational activities.
“Any arrangements the Corps has made with the kayakers and the fisherman will remain unchanged,” he said.
While the Corps would maintain its own intake, the power plant would use a separate intake, and the waters released from both would be regulated in order to maintain temperature once they come together in the North Branch of the Potomac below the dam, thus protecting the habitat of the fish located there.
According to the letter, the fact that hydropower does not require back up from other fuels qualifies it as a green project.
“The task force believes that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission should give preference to alternative energy projects that do not require fossil fuel cogeneration,” the letter states.
On a motion made by Commissioner Janice LaRue and seconded by Commissioner Cindy Pyles, the letter was approved.
When sent to D.C., the letter will contain the signatures of all three commissioners.
Keyser, W.Va. —
