From left: Cape Horn Dam, Scott Dam. Photos via PG&E.
Press release from Friends of the Eel:
PG&E has
submitted an application to surrender its license for the Potter
Valley Project, and to remove the two defunct dams in the Eel River
headwaters. This is a smart economic move, as the project has not
generated electricity for over 4 years, and what it did produce over
the last 20 years was less than 1% of PG&E’s entire hydropower
portfolio. This failed hydroelectric project is costing ratepayers
about a million dollars a year for absolutely no benefit, while
continuing to cause significant ecological harm to the Eel watershed.We are currently
at a critical juncture – the public’s first opportunity to speak
to federal regulators about this project and encourage them to
approve PG&E’s plan for dam removal with no delay. The Federal
Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) need to hear from our community
about how this plan is broadly supported and benefits public
interest. The comment deadline has just been extended, we now have
until Friday, December 19 at 2 p.m. to file comments.The
disinformation campaign coming from the MAGA movement has been
well-funded and successful in generating ill-informed opposition to
this project. Water users who stand to benefit from a more reliable
diversion infrastructure, or water users who may have never received
any Eel River water, are voicing loud opposition. We must be louder
to ensure the Eel River dams are removed in time to save our
struggling native fish. You comment can make a difference!The Potter Valley
Project includes an inter-basin diversion of water from the Eel River
to the Russian River. The current plan allows for the Eel Russian
Project Authority to use some of the existing infrastructure to
develop a new dam-free diversion under different rules that are more
protective of Eel River habitat, but will continue to provide water
supplies to users in the Russian River.Dam removal is
the single most important action we can take to support recovery of
the Eel’s still-wild native fish, and allow steelhead to return to
over 280 miles of prime habitat in the upper basin. Dam removal will
also remove habitat that is ideal for invasive pikeminnow,
which thrive in the warmer waters of the Lake Pillsbury Reservoir.Please take a few
moments today to write a comment in support of Eel River dam removal.
Use the links below to find instructions for commenting, suggested
talking points, a sample letter, and additional information about the
Potter Valley Project.Instructions for
commenting here.Sample letter to
FERC here.Watch a
presentation – Why Eel River Dam Removal is Urgent.