Bob Schneider & Chad Roberts, PRESS DEMOCRAT
The earthquake risk at Scott Dam may be a key factor in PG&E’s decision to abandon the Potter Valley Project.
PG&E is surrendering its license for the Potter Valley Project, two dams that divert water from the Eel River to the Russian River while generating hydropower. PG&E identifies this as a business decision, because of the project’s failure to produce revenues that offset operating costs, even though the utility’s customers pay higher rates than just about everywhere else in the United States.
In our opinion, PG&E has determined to rid itself of the Potter Valley Project for a different kind of economic consideration, after determining that the Scott Dam represents an economic liability that the company cannot afford.
A key factor is the increased understanding of seismic hazards represented by the Bartlett Springs Fault Zone, which runs through Lake Pillsbury approximately 5,000 feet east of Scott Dam.
As part of the relicensing process, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission held an auction for potential alternative licensees for the Potter Valley Project. No one made an offer, probably for the same reason PG&E doesn’t want the dams anymore: no potential owner wanted responsibility for the risk posed by the Bartlett Springs Fault.
Read more at https://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/opinion/sonoma-county-lake-pillsbury-potter-valley-scott-dam/