GRASS VALLEY, Calif. - The Bureau of Reclamation has prepared for public review an Environmental Assessment for a project proposed by Nevada Irrigation District to construct and operate a hydroelectric generation station near its Loma Rica Water Treatment Plant, 3 miles east of Grass Valley in Nevada County.
Reclamation proposes to provide NID $285,000 through a 2014 WaterSMART Water Energy and Efficiency Grant to help fund the $3.8 million project.
The concrete building would enclose a turbine and generator capable of producing up to 1.4 megawatts and would allow NID to maximize hydropower potential, help offset electrical costs within the system and provide a potential source of income for NID. The facility would take advantage of existing piping and flow that was constructed for the Banner Cascade Pipeline project completed in 2012.
The EA was prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act and may be viewed at https://www.usbr.gov/mp/nepa/nepa_project_details.php?Project_ID=29673. Written comments are due by close of business Sept. 15, 2017, to Doug Kleinsmith, Bureau of Reclamation, 2800 Cottage Way, Sacramento, CA 95825 or dkleinsmith@usbr.gov.
For additional information or to receive a copy of the document, please contact Kleinsmith at 916-978-5034 (TTY 800-877-8339). The document may also be viewed at Reclamation’s Mid-Pacific Regional Office at the above address.
Source: Bureau of Reclamation
