NID News Release
June 9, 2010
Contact: Ron Nelson
(530) 273-6185 Or Dave Carter (530) 265-NEWS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
GRASS VALLEY – Directors of the Nevada Irrigation District on Wednesday (June 9)
authorized staff to open negotiations with the Pacific Gas and Electric Company
for a future power sales agreement. NID is currently about half way through a
multiyear process to obtain a new federal license for operation of the
Yuba-Bear Power Project, which the district constructed and operates under an
original 50-year license that expires in 2013. The Yuba-Bear Power Project and
the PG&E Drum System use linked water systems and the two organizations
have operated the Yuba-Bear Project in partnership since the 1960s. This
50-year contract also expires in 2013. District officials said the partnership
has worked very well and that they hope to continue the relationship in coming
years. Officials said, however, if the district cannot negotiate a satisfactory
agreement, they would consider proposals from other potential power purchasers.
“Our relationship with PG&E has worked remarkably well,” said NID General
Manager Ron Nelson. “Our plan is to maintain that relationship. This is our
first and best way of getting into this part of relicensing.” An ad hoc Board
of Directors committee, including Board President Scott Miller, MD, and
Division V Director Nick Wilcox will coordinate with staff in the negotiation
process. Built in 1963-66, the Yuba-Bear Power Project includes eight
reservoirs, four hydroelectric power plants and many miles of canals, tunnels,
flumes and related facilities. The project produces an average 425 million
kilowatt-hours of clean hydroelectric energy per year, enough to power more
than 60,000 homes.
In other business, NID directors:
• heard a presentation from Chief Engineer Gary King on
the district’s recent replacement of Flume No. 13 on the D-S Canal near Nevada
City. King reported on difficulties encountered when unseasonably heavy spring
rains caused muddy conditions at the project site off Banner Mountain Trail
near Nevada City. He said more effective storm water controls would be
implemented in future projects.
• heard a public comment from a property owner along the
Bear River near Combie Reservoir who asked the district to limit public access
to his property. Directors referred the matter to the board’s Maintenance and
Resources Committee for further study on June 22.
• voted to purchase a water truck from Northern California
Kenworth of Sacramento for $98,914. The firm’s quote was lowest among three
received by the district.
• received written compliments on the good flavor of NID
drinking water from a 5th grade class at Auburn Elementary School. Science
teacher Gail Burke had her students conduct a taste test of bottled Roxane and
Safeway waters, well water and treated NID drinking water. “In the whole class,
your water was the best. I hope you keep your water just like this,” wrote
Joslynn Green, one of 12 students who wrote letters to the district. The next
regular meeting of the NID Board of Directors will be held at 9 a.m. on June 23
at the NID Business Center in Grass Valley. NID board meetings are open to the
public.-
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