Raystown Project Becomes First Hydroelectric Project in Pennsylvania to Earn Certification as Low Impact

Portland, Maine - (January 22, 2007)—The Low Impact Hydropower Institute (LIHI) announced that at their January 18, 2007 meeting they certified the Raystown Hydroelectric Project as Low Impact.
SUMMARY
The Raystown Hydroelectric Project (William F. Matson Generating Station) is a 21 MW facility located at the Raystown Dam. The Dam is managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps). The William F. Matson Generating Station is owned and operated by the Alleghany Electric Cooperative, and licensed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).
Facility location: The Raystown Hydroelectric Project (FERC No. 2769 ) is located on the Raystown Branch of the Juniata River, about 5.5 miles upstream from its confluence with the Juniata River and 92 miles above the confluence of the Juniata River with the Susquehanna River. Raystown Dam and Raystown Lake are located in south central Pennsylvania in Huntingdon County, near the borough of Huntingdon.
Installed capacity: 21 Megawatts (MW)
Average annual generation: 87,895,876 KWh (1996 – 2005)
FERC license: FERC No. 2769 which expires on October 31, 2032
Applicant: Allegheny Electric Cooperative RD1 Raystown Dam P.O.Box 395 Huntingdon, PA 16652 Attention: Mr. Bill Shearn, Superintendent, Raystown Operations
Date application posted to website: August 11, 2006
Date public comment period closes: October 11, 2006
Date for certification: January 18, 2007
Effective Date of Cerification: August 11, 2006
Certifcation Expiration Date: August 11, 2014
APPLICATION FOR CERTIFICATION
On August 11,2006, the Allegheny Electric Cooperative (AEC) submitted an application for certification of its Raystown Hydroelectric Project (William F. Matson Generating Station). AEC operates the 21 megawatt (rated capacity) facility which is located at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Raystown Dam. The hydroelectric station, completed in 1988, is located at the base of Raystown Dam and is operated in close cooperation with the Corps.
The Corps gives all flow and temperature regulating instructions to AEC. Constant flow discharges are adjusted on a daily basis to minimize fluctuations downstream. The hydroelectric station control facilities are separate from those of the Corps facilities. The hydroelectric station intake tower has the capability of withdrawing water from different levels of the lake for downstream temperature control. Intake trash rack clear spacing is 3 inches. Flow velocities at the intake are maintained at less than or equal to 3 feet per second. The concrete tunnel stretching from the intake tower to the powerhouse is 12 feet in diameter, steel-lined, and 930 feet long. The steel penstock is 12 feet in diameter and 550 feet long. There are two power-generating units in the powerhouse. Unit 1 has a flow range of 200 to 600 cubic feet per second (cfs) and a rated output of 7 megawatts. Unit 2 has a flow range of 500 to 1100 cfs and a rated output of 14 megawatts. 22 adjustable wicket gates control flow through each unit. Flow is also regulated by the closure of two turbine shut-off valves located upstream of the generating units. Flow through the tunnel, penstock, and powerhouse can be regulated by the closure of a 12-foot square wheel gate located in the intake structure.
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