Decommissioning the Leaburg Hydroelectric Project FAQ

A: Safety is our highest priority: There is not an imminent danger of a canal breach. Even though the canal is dewatered and not conveying operational flows to generate power, EWEB staff continue to monitor the Leaburg Canal on a daily basis to ensure that the canal facilities are safely managing stormwater and tributary creek flows. These creeks, including Johnson Creek, Cogswell Creek and others, flow into the Leaburg Canal, which acts as a tributary to convey those waters to the McKenzie River. As Commissioners have voted to permanently discontinue power generation, the canal will only be used to convey stormwater and tributary creek flows until the long-term canal modifications are complete. The risk of a potential failure is greatly reduced in the de-watered, non-operational condition. EWEB is already implementing near-term risk reduction modifications to further mitigate any hazards posed by a severe precipitation event that could increase stormwater and tributary creek flows. EWEB monitors the canal particularly closely in the wet weather season and during storm events when tributary creek flows rise. EWEB staff members are poised to identify and respond to any unexpected developments along the full length of the canal and will inform canal neighbors of any changes of concern. 

A: EWEB has implemented several risk reduction measures and is evaluating the potential for additional near-term, risk reduction measures to mitigate the risk of structural failure from landslides, earthquakes, floods, and internal erosion. These measures include:  

• removing hazard trees above the canal that may fall during a storm and obstruct the canal, causing water to pool up and potentially flood or clog outlets to the river (implemented and ongoing), 
• leaving the gate at Luffman Spillway open at all times during the wet-weather season to ensure continuous safe discharge to the river (implemented),  
• installing pressure transducers that monitor water levels and trigger alarms if water levels increase beyond our currently desired levels (implemented), 
• implementing a drilling plan to better understand the canal’s structure and critical subsurface conditions (in process), 
• increasing the discharge capacity through the power plant to minimize water levels in the canal during storm events (in design),  
• isolating portions of the canal from the high flow creeks, such as Johnson and Cogswell Creeks (potential).  

A: In short:

1. Cost of investing in the facility vs. purchasing replacement power
2. Protecting against future liability risks
3. Elimination of long-term, non-mission-based obligations
4. Uncertainty of generation potential due to regulatory and climate concerns
5. Alignment with customer values (reduce costs, preserve water quality, environmental stewardship)

EWEB conducted a Triple Bottom Line Assessment to identify and compare the financial, environmental, and social impacts of repairing the canal to resume hydropower generation or decommissioning the Project. The detailed multi-year evaluation revealed that the heavy expenses to return the Project to service would commit EWEB to a high cost of electricity ($117/MWh) for at least the next forty years. Instead, EWEB will seek to purchase electricity from the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) at a much lower cost while also exploring other lower cost alternatives to BPA. 

Closing the Leaburg facility would also lower EWEB’s liability to future economic risks, as climate change and increasing regulations on hydropower generation raise further uncertainties as to the economic viability of the Leaburg Hydroelectric Project. Decommissioning the Leaburg Project also aligns with our customers’ values to provide reliable service, protect water quality, and reduce service costs. 

A: Commissioners unanimously approved a Record of Decision in support of the “Management Recommendation: Future Disposition of the Leaburg Hydroelectric Project.” The Recommendation advocates: 

1. permanently discontinuing electricity generation at the Leaburg Hydroelectric Project, 
2. removing Leaburg Dam, restoring the McKenzie to a free-flowing river in the area, 
3. developing access to Leaburg Dam Road on the southern side of the river. EWEB will investigate and facilitate all potential options with those agencies responsible for transportation in the area. There will be an alternatives analysis process with opportunities for all participants to help with the identification of important issues to consider during the decision-making process.
4. modifying the Leaburg Canal for stream and stormwater conveyance (SWC), while preserving the future option to completely restore the site to pre-project conditions, 
5. working with water rights holders to mitigate the effects of dewatering the Leaburg Canal, particularly the Leaburg and McKenzie fish hatcheries, 
6. assessing the Walterville Hydroelectric Project by the early 2030’s, and 
7. identifying opportunities and requirements for Board review, guidance, and direction as we continue the decommissioning process. 

A: In short - not for at least a decade. Before EWEB begins any work on the ground, we'll have years of investigations and studies to conduct and extensive negotiations with various regulators, agencies, partners and interest groups. Here's a rough timeline of decommissioning milestones: 

2018-2022: Leaburg Hydroelectric Project Strategic Evaluation

2023: Decision to Decommission. Leaburg Decommissioning Action Plan (LDAP) development

2023-2027: Implementation of near-term risk reduction measures

2023-2027: License Surrender Application & Settlement Agreement

2028-2029: Environmental Studies (Endangered Species Act consultation, National Environmental Protection Act process)

2030-2032: Design & Permitting - Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Surrender Order

2033: Construction Begins

2033-2040: Decommissioning Implementation & Post-Decommissioning Report