Aspen to host public meeting for Maroon Creek hydroelectric plant

Aspen is holding a public meeting and site visit to the city’s Maroon Creek hydroelectric plant on Nov. 7 regarding a proposal to re-authorize its longstanding permit.

Just prior to the site visit, there will be a presentation in the City Hall Council Chambers from 2-3 p.m. Afterward, the city will provide transportation to the Maroon Creek hydroelectric site.

The city filed a Notice of Intent (NOI) this year to file an application to proceed with the Maroon Creek Hydroelectric Project, which has been in operation since 1988 under a license from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).

With the existing license set to expire in 2028, the city is required to submit an NOI to FERC five years in advance of the license expiration date to resume plant operations as a regulation requirement.

Aspen Utilities Director Justin Forman said the public meeting is required by the FERC during the pre-application process, and its purpose is to provide the public and stakeholders additional opportunities to learn, give feedback, and express potential concerns throughout the stakeholder engagement process of the meeting.  

Additionally, the meeting will describe where the existing project stands today, which he said the current facility generates up to 450 kW and produces on average approximately 2.0 million kilowatt-hours of electricity per year, which is the equivalent of 3-5% of Aspen’s total annual energy requirement. 

“The project has served as a key element in Aspen’s portfolio of local energy sources and, along with other renewable generation, has allowed Aspen to become one of the first five electric utilities in the nation to achieve delivery of 100% renewable energy to its electric customers,” he said.

Within the permit, the city is proposing to add generating capacity, which currently sits at 450 kW. Forman said that as part of the FERC application process, the city is considering the addition of up to 50 kW of micro hydro power by capturing energy from streamflow releases at the existing Maroon Creek dam and headgate structure. 

“Both the existing and proposed generators would deliver energy to customers in the project area,” he said. “The addition of the proposed micro hydro will not change the streamflow conditions below the dam and headgate structure.”  

Another purpose of November’s public meeting will be to hear out comments regarding resource issues from agencies, tribes, and stakeholders; however, according to Aspen Utilities Resource Manager Steve Hunter, city staff does not anticipate resource issues with the continued use of the project or with addition of the proposed micro hydro.

“The project has been operating proudly to provide local renewable energy to the Aspen community since 1988,” he said. “And studies have reported that physical habitat and biological data for Maroon Creek show good ecological function.”

Additional information regarding the project and NOI can be found at aspencommunityvoice.com.