Albany’s small hydropower generator in the Vine Street water plant has never been a big factor in the energy picture, but lately it has played no role at all.
Albany’s small hydropower generator in the Vine Street water plant has never been a big factor in the energy picture, but lately it has played no role at all.
Albany’s small hydropower plant has been shut down for more than a year, which I didn’t discover until I asked about it this week. And I doubt it will ever operate again.
Readers of Albany’s proposed water master plan may get the feeling that the city’s historic water and electric plant on Vine Street is not long for this world.
Every time the bike and I climb up the steep Third Avenue Bridge from Bryant Way, I look off to my right to see if the Albany hydropower generator is turning. Lately it has been still, not moving at all.
Sunday afternoon found the bike and me once again at the gates of Albany’s historic Vine Street water treatment plant and hydropower generating station.
Albany Hydro, the 500-kw generator powered by water from the Santiam Canal, is back in business. It started up Friday when the flow in the canal was sufficient once again.
Albany hydro needs a DEQ certification
Albany’s small hydropower turbine has not turned for almost two years and may never spin again, but the bureaucracy concerning it grinds on.
Tags: Albany hydro, FERC, generator, State DEQ, Vine Street powerhouse, water quality certification