/Mississippi getting hydropower

Mississippi getting hydropower

In Mississippi’s Yazoo River Basin, four dams – Arkabutla Sardis, Enid, Enid, and Grenada Lakes – will be retrofitted over the next two-to-three years to provide enough power to power more than 15,000 homes each year. FFP New Hydro was a Boston-based company, formed in 2010 to explore hydro power projects at non-powered dams across the United States. In January, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission granted FFP New Hydro a license to proceed with hydropower. The dams are managed by the United States Army Corps of Engineers. Construction of the project is expected to begin between 2017-2018, while the hydropower section of the dams will be in place between 2018 and 2019. Retired Army Brig. General Robert Crear, a retired Army Brig., is the chairman of Rye Development and manager of FFP New Hydro. Crear stated that the conversion of the four dams into hydropower will create over 100 jobs during construction and two to three permanent positions after. Crear said that the region’s investment in a renewable energy source will be more than $80 millions. Crear stated that he and his wife wanted to give back after a 33-year, worldwide military career. He also spoke about his career which included leading various divisions of both the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACoE) and the Mississippi River Commission. “The fact that our projects will be the first to bring water power to Mississippi makes me happy and satisfied that I am giving back the people of Mississippi,” Crear said. According to the U.S. Department of Energy website, Mississippi is only one of two states that doesn’t use hydropower for electricity. Hydropower is a method of capturing energy from water to create electricity. The energy is converted into electricity by turbines and generators, which are fed into an electric grid to power homes and businesses. LeRoy Coleman, spokesperson for the National Hydropower Association said that hydropower is an excellent option for states looking for clean energy solutions. Coleman stated that states like Mississippi are trying to reduce their carbon footprint. Coleman stated that hydropower is the largest source of renewable energy in the country. Coleman also stated that hydropower saves the country more than 200,000,000 tons of carbon dioxide each year, which is equivalent to 42 million cars. According to the environmental assessment documents, the regulatory commission approved a license to the Yazoo Basin Hydropower Projects because they were “dependable sources of electricity… would not contribute to atmospheric polluting” and would “protect, enhance, and enhance the environment resources affected.” Celeste Miller spokeswoman for FERC. Miller said that the project would best be adapted to a comprehensive plan to improve or develop a waterway for interstate or international commerce. “For the improvement and utilization waterpower development; for adequate protection, mitigation and enhancement of fish species; and for other benefits to the public, such as irrigation, flood control and recreation. We must also consider the power requirement.” FFP New Hydro is backed by two investors: US Renewables Group, Santa Monica, Calif., and Crestline Investors in Dallas. Pablo Diaz, the Grenada Economic Development District’s executive director, stated that his community is eager to see the Grenada dam’s hydropower project.