As the world gradually shifts its energy focus to renewable sources such as solar and wind, utilities are faced with a demand for secondary sources — those that are available when the sun isn’t shining or the wind doesn’t blow. One option is so-called “peaker plants,” traditional power plants fired by natural gas that operate […]

The Northwest’s carbon footprint is shrinking, thanks to energy efficiency measures that have reduced electric use, and cleaner burning fossil fuels. In 2015, annual carbon dioxide emissions from electricity for the four-state region were around 51 million metric tons, which is about what they were in 2000, according to the Northwest Power and Conservation Council. […]

MID-HUDSON, NY – Two of 11 large-scale renewable energy projects in New York are located in the Hudson Valley and provide strong support for the Clean Energy Standard that 50 percent of the state’s electricity come from renewable energy sources by 2030. A total of $360 million will be divvied up among the 11 projects […]

Even though the city of Lewiston, WA has a raft of questions for the federal government indicating that dam breaching would cause massive and expensive headaches, city officials say they aren’t yet taking a position. “I’m worried about the future of the community, and about the financial impacts,” Community Development Director Laura Von Tersch said. […]

Our nation has a long history of investing in infrastructure that serves our business and personal interests and supports our communities, including roads, bridges, power grids and other infrastructure that serve all Americans. These critical components of our society are not one-time purchases. They must be maintained and updated over the years, or they can […]

SHASTA LAKE, Calif. – With recent rain and snow storms, the drought has been declared over for all of Northern California, that is according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Shasta Dam, for the first time in six years, opened its spillways to release water from Shasta Lake on Thursday.  Shasta’s Dam is releasing up to […]

Water storage is not the only reason California forefathers dammed streams and rivers; the benefits of flood control can be seen up and down the state because of these structures. What a difference a year makes. Last year at this time California was basking in weather that makes it famous: warm temperatures and sunny skies […]

FRESNO COUNTY, CA (KFSN) —  Over five years of drought, we haven’t seen a flood release at Friant Dam since 2011. On Friday, the amount of water being released was increased 30 percent to make room for the next round of storm runoff. Right now, 5,000 cubic feet of water pours out of Friant Dam […]

“This project is about keeping this vital asset providing clean energy in the long term, using the best possible engineering available today,” said Warren Witt, director of hydro operations at Ameren Missouri. “Osage Energy Center just marked its 85th year in service. Work we’re starting in March will ensure it operates reliably and safely, affording […]

Construction work has transitioned from preparation to installation at the Red Rock Hydroelectric Project.  Vern Cochran with Missouri River Energy Services says the first parts of the new turbine have been installed.  “We’ve completed the staging or the structural enhancements of the reservoir, so now we’ve got our excavation dug and we were actually able […]