The PUD received a preliminary permit from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to study and assess the potential of a hydropower project on the Skykomish River. This Project is proposed as a 30-megawatt, run-of-the-river hydroelectric, renewable resource facility, to be located on the South Fork Skykomish River at the base of Sunset Falls (in conjunction with refurbishing the trap and haul facility already there), one mile south of Index, Washington.

Project Benefits Include:

• It’s a non-polluting, renewable resource, with no heat or noxious gas releases.
• Provides energy at the times of the year when it’s needed the most.
• One of the best priced renewable energy sources available.
• A locally generated resource right in the PUD’s backyard, minimizing the need for expensive new transmission systems.
• Upgrades to the trap-and-haul facility would ultimately increase fish populations by improving the health of fish being transported upstream to 90 miles of spawning habitat, currently accessed by more than 25,000 fish annually.
• PUD funding for the Washington State Department of Fish & Wildlife’s trap-and-haul facility would provide stability for operations and maintenance of the facility for years to come.

Contact:

Dawn Presler
djpresler@snopud.com
425-783-1709
(M-F, 8am to 5pm)