WASHINGTON D.C. - U.S. Congressman Dan Boren announced today the largest project award of his congressional career. The $31 million award will rehabilitate and upgrade the Webbers Falls Lock & Dam Power House. The project was included in the 2008 Energy and Water Appropriations bill which passed the House this week. The lock and dam power house project is included in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ effort to repair and upgrade hydropower facilities nationwide to increase energy production.
“This award is a huge success for Oklahoma’s energy infrastructure and the economic development of my district,” Boren said. “I am committed to providing federal funds for projects like this to build, maintain and repair our infrastructure,” Boren said. “When operational, this power house provides cost-effective energy to communities across Oklahoma.”
The rehabilitation project will replace current deficient turbine technology located at the power house with an improved design. Currently, all three turbines are out of service due to design deficiencies. During periods when the turbines have been on-line, these design deficiencies also have created severe problems for energy reliability. Forced outages are frequent and often long in duration with an outage rate over the last two years alone that has averaged more than 36 percent.
“This project is also special in that it makes a return, plus interest, on the federal government’s investment,” Boren said. “Over time the revenue that’s created by the energy supply that this project makes possible will be returned to federal coffers.”
When the river is at optimal conditions, the value of energy lost when all three turbines are not functional is an estimated $82,500 per day. When all three turbines are returned to maximum availability and efficiency, the rehab project will provide an energy supply equal to 352,000 barrels of oil or 102,000 tons of coal.
“We are pleased that funding was awarded to this important effort and look forward to completing the project,” said Ted Coombs, Executive Director of the Southwestern Power Resources Association. “We appreciate Congressman Boren’s assistance in securing this funding on behalf of Oklahoma’s electric consumers. We look forward to working with him on future projects to improve Oklahoma's energy infrastructure.”
The funding award demonstrates another crucial step in economic development for the central portion of the Second District. The power house improvements will provide a much more reliable energy supply for area businesses and households.
“This announcement is great news for our area, and many more communities across this region,” said Webbers Falls Mayor Stan Cowan. “We fully know how important this large of an investment in infrastructure is for a community like Webbers Falls.”
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