Durbin, Kirk: FERC Decision on Quincy Appeal Extremely Disappointing
[WASHINGTON, DC] – U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Mark Kirk (R-IL) today expressed disappointment in the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) decision to deny Quincy’s appeal and stop the city from moving forward with the hydroelectric power plant at Lock and Dam 21.
“The decision in February to halt the City of Quincy’s work the on a hydroelectric power plant came as a shock. Though the City had been in regular contact with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Quincy was never given any indication by the Commission that there was a problem that could derail their effort.
“Mayor Spring and the City of Quincy presented a solid case for moving forward with the hydroelectric plant in their appeal. We supported that effort. Unfortunately, the Commission did not agree.
“Today’s decision is extremely disappointing for Quincy and has put years of work in jeopardy. We are being briefed throughout the day on the Commission’s decision and will begin exploring alternative options – including another opportunity for appeal – that might allow the project to move forward.”
Last month, the FERC notified the City of Quincy that the license application and the preliminary permit application for the proposed hydroelectric power plant had been dismissed. According to the FERC, the city, the hydropower corporation and Great River Hydropower LLC are barred from filing a preliminary permit or development applications for one year.
In a February 23 letter to the FERC, Durbin and Kirk argued that the permit application for a hydropower plant was unfairly dismissed without discussion or notification. They urged the FERC to carefully review any appeal by the City of Quincy as to the facts surrounding the decision to dismiss the permit application. In March, Durbin and Kirk sent a letter to FERC in support of the City of Quincy’s appeal of the Commission’s decision to dismiss the a permit application for the hydroelectric power plant at Lock and Dam 21.