Building these extra units would allow the city to generate more hydropower , even with the 800 CFS flow .
“ We had it designed ; the technology is awesome . We ’ ll basically be able to put all releases , even the low releases , through the hydropower plant and create energy ,” Shafer says .
On the other hand , New Martinsville ’ s long-standing hydroelectric facility has been powering the city for years .
The facility was built in the 1980s along the Ohio River , incorporated with Hannibal Locks and Dam . According to the West Virginia Office of Energy , it produces enough power for a city seven times the size of New Martinsville .
Sandy Hunt , mayor of New Martinsville , says the facility has allowed the city to become almost debt-free .
“ It is now 35 years since it was built and it still brings attention to our community as well as providing high-paying , professional jobs as part of our workforce ,” Hunt says .
The hydropower facility has produced administrative revenue for New Martinsville for years and is expected to provide royalties to the city for many years to come .
Hunt says that with hydroelectricity projects , there are often consistent reporting requirements . She also says some maintenance responsibilities can present challenges for the city that owns a hydropower plant . FERC oversees those non-federal plants and determines whether they are up to date or need repairs .
Hydroelectricity projects can be either locally or federally owned . Federal hydroelectricity projects are owned by the Bureau of Reclamation and the U . S . Army Corps
of Engineers while non-federal projects are licensed and regulated by FERC . Being non-federal projects , Summersville and New Martinsville must have FERC licenses to operate .
“ This project takes pride in our relationship and compliance with FERC ,” Shafer says . “ It is also appropriate to mention that this project pays FERC approximately $ 500,000 annually .”
Despite hydropower ’ s advantages , it hasn ’ t been used to its full potential yet . With recent technological developments as well as policy support and a demand for clean energy , there is a large amount of room to expand hydroelectricity in the Mountain State .
According to the U . S . Energy Administration , hydropower accounted for 2.9 % of the state ’ s total electricity generation , or approximately 1,647 megawatt hours of 56,665 . That makes it 5th place in energy producers in West Virginia .
According to Nicholas Preservati , director of the West Virginia Office of Energy , the state ’ s hydroelectric market size is $ 196.4 million as of 2023 , making it less than 1 % of West Virginia ’ s GDP of $ 98.8 billion .
“ There is significant opportunity to develop hydroelectric power , as West Virginia is the state with the most water flowing through it in the eastern United States ,” he says .
With the state ’ s water resources and the implementation of advanced mechanics , hydropower can easily expand throughout the Mountain State .
“ The technology now exists to put turbines in our
Congratulations
Tim O ’ Neal
Dow would like to congratulate Tim O ’ Neal on the well-deserved honor of being named a Sharp Shooter by West Virginia Executive magazine . We are proud of and fortunate to have your expertise and leadership throughout the community .
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WEST VIRGINIA EXECUTIVE