New York Moose River Hydro License Up for Review
Published Date: 5/7/2025
Notice
Summary
EONY Generation Limited wants a new license to run the Moose River Hydroelectric Project in New York. The government is now reviewing the application and asking the public to share their thoughts or concerns within 60 days. This could affect local energy and the environment, so it’s a big deal for nearby communities and energy users.
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
Higher Minimum Bypassed River Flow
The applicant proposes to increase the year-round minimum bypassed reach flow to 80 cubic feet per second (cfs) or inflow, whichever is less, instead of the 60 cfs required under the current license. This change affects how much water stays in the bypassed reach of the Moose River year-round.
Scheduled Whitewater Releases Continue
EONY proposes to continue providing up to 20 whitewater flow releases per year between April 1 and October 1, with up to 4 of those releases scheduled between June 1 and September 30. The project will continue generator ramping during whitewater release days as under the current license.
Recreation Facilities Maintained
The applicant proposes to continue maintaining on-site recreation facilities, including a picnic area, a 900-foot interpretive trail at Agers Falls Recreation Area, a 1-mile Moose River Trail, a 230-foot boat portage trail, and a hand-carry boat launch. These facilities remain available as part of project operations.
Project Boundary Acreage Reduced
EONY proposes to remove approximately 15.9 acres from the project boundary, decreasing the area enclosed by the project from 184.3 acres to 168.4 acres. The acreage removed includes land adjacent to the impoundment shoreline and bypassed reach.
Environmental and Cultural Protection Plans
EONY proposes to implement an Impoundment Drawdown and Cofferdam Plan, an Invasive Species Management Plan, and a Bat and Eagle Protection Plan, and to consult with the New York State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO) before land-disturbing activities and if cultural resources are found. The applicant would stop construction and consult the SHPO if previously unidentified cultural resources are discovered during construction.
Project Operating Mode and Water Levels
EONY proposes to continue operating the project in a run-of-river mode and to maintain the same impoundment elevations as under the current license: 1,024.6 feet NGVD 29 during non-winter months and 1,023.8 to 1,024.1 feet during winter months. The powerhouse has a 12.6-megawatt Kaplan turbine and minimum/maximum hydraulic capacities of 200 and 1,300 cfs.
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