WSP09325 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

.. COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE CLOSED ,BASIN PROJECT 1. Energy Question: Offical statements say that about 13,000,000 kilowatts of electrical power will be needed to operate the project each year. This power will be furnished by local utility companies. Why isn't some form of alternative energy part of the project plan? How will local utilities meet this new demand for a large amount of power? Who will pay for these powerlines? Answer: The federal government has an alternative energy program which is active in the San Luis V~lley. Automatic wind measuring stations have been installed at a number of locations in the Valley. They are collecting information to determine if this energy source is feasible. The Department of Energy is designing a solar energy system which will be installed at a project well. This program will help the Bureau find out if solar energy technology can be used for the project. The fact that the project is currently designed to run off "conventional" energy sources reflects the decision of the U. S. Congress to authorize a water salvage project, not an experimental program in alternative energy. The positive steps that are being taken to make sure that project alternative energy options are not closed does not mean that the utility companies will not be able to meet long term project energy needs. The project was originally planned to operate with hydropower from Government facilities. The distribution system was to have been built and operated by the Government. Numerous citizens asked if private landowners would be able to get electrical service from the Closed Basin Project System. These requests and the other factors noted below prompted the Bureau to find out if local utility companies could provide the power needed to run the project. The utility companies firmly state that project power requirements have been included in their plans to keep the San Luis Valley supplied with power. That assurance means that project power needs will be included with the power needs of a growing San Luis Valley in the utility companies' long range planning. Part of that planning is the design and operation of power plants to meet all applicable laws and regulations protecting the air and environment. Energy costs of new development must be very carefully evaluated. These costs were carefully weighed in the studies which found that the Closed Basin Project is economically justified. Talks with the utility companies began in earnest in 1978. The utility companies knew about the project's energy needs five to ten years before demands would be put on the system. This allows ample time for the necessary planning to make sure that the project's needs do not conflict in any way with those of other Valley power " '.f'.'.9 users. {, ' ','" '~'.' .:\'.\" V"