Blumenthal Tours Upper Dam Area in Collinsville

U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal visited Collinsville Thursday afternoon to tour the upper Collinsville dam area along the Farmington River and talk about the town’s interest in producing hydropower.

Blumenthal’s visit follows closely on the heels of a trip to Washington, D.C., by First Selectman Richard Barlow to testify before the U.S. Senate’s subcommittee on water and power about the town’s efforts to get more permanent Federal Energy Regulatory Commission licensing for the upper and lower Collinsville dams.

The bill would require FERC to conduct an environmental assessment of the dams within 180 days and hold a 30-day comment period. Within 270 days of the bill’s passage, FERC would have the option of reissuing licenses for one or both of the dams to the town.

Barlow said he feels the response in Washington was positive and Blumenthal said the project could be “a model for the country.” He also called it “pro-environment” and “pro-consumer.”

Blumenthal also said the project had numerous economic and environmental benefits.

“It ought to be a slam dunk,” Blumenthal said, cautioning, however, that he has “learned nothing in Washington is ever easy.”

The town has been looking into the feasibility of bringing the dams, originally used by the Collins company, back online, and recently received GZA GeoEnvironmental Inc.'s completed pre-feasibility study, which was funded by a $50,000 clean energy grant.

The study contains several scenarios and estimates the cost of bringing the upper dam online between $4.5 and $6.6 Million. The lower dam would cost about $7.1 million to bring online. Burlington and Avon would have the option of working with Canton on that project, should the three towns feel it makes sense. Canton could ultimately pursue one, both or neither of the dams and would have two years after receiving the licenses to begin construction.

Since the state now allows municipalities the option of virtual net metering, or applying the power generated at a facility to offset use at up to five town buildings at retail rate, the economics are much more attractive, Barlow said.

Under one scenario, if the town received $450,000 in grants to bring the upper dam online, it could make $10,000 in the first year, Barlow said. And with construction being the largest costs with hydropower, much more could be made once debts were fully paid off, he added. 

Officials also said the projects would not change the character of the town. The upper powerhouse along Route 179 could need expanding if the town were to go forward with a more ambitious version of power production for the upper dam, but it could be made to look the same, officials said.

“We wouldn’t change the look and (would) maintain the historical integrity,” Project administrator Jeff Shea said.

Even if the town does get the licensing there is much more that would have to be done before the project would move forward. A completed feasibility study, for example, would be required, Barlow said. He said he did not yet have a good estimate for the cost of the study.

But even if any potential projects are years away, those who joined Blumenthal said they were encouraged by his support.

“As he says, it should be a slam dunk,” said Matthew Stone, chairman of the Canton Hydro Project Advisory Committee. “We can always use the legislative support.”

“I think the project is great and I was very encouraged by the senator’s enthusiasm and knowledge,” said selectman David Gilchrist Jr.

State Rep. Tim LeGeyt said the “beauty” of the idea of hydropower in Collinsville is that so much of the infrastructure is in place.

“Energy is falling over the dam every second,” he said. “As opposed to starting from scratch, this thing is way ahead of itself. It’s like a half-done layer cake. All you have to do is fully cook it.”