Instead of the 6-mil rate now
enjoyed by Klamath Project irrigators, the current
tariff rate is 6.8 cents per KWH plus demand
charges. One example a 500 hp pump on one of the
Stateline Road
wells is currently using 405 KW (estimated) and TID
is paying – under contact - $3,486. Using tariff
rates, load size charge, demand charge, energy
charge, care surcharge, and CPUC surcharge, the
yearly cost to run just this one pump would be
$35,807 – over a 1000% increase. Another example
was given using the D Plant pumps that move water
from the Tulelake Refuge through Sheepy Ridge to the
Lower Klamath Lake Refuge. Using the above tariff
plus charges, the yearly D Plant electric bill would
top $330,000.
But these are examples using
large electric pumps. Farmers and ranchers in the
Klamath Project use various sized pumps to lift
water from laterals and ditches for pivot systems,
wheel lines, and flood irrigation using much smaller
electric pumps. So, what would the yearly farm
expense be for a 50 hp pump? The costs would go
from $140/year to $3,049/year. A 100 hp pump: from
$1,839/year to $26,322/year. A 225 hp pump: from
$2,506/year to $37,736.
On farm pumps will only be part
of the added expense to Project irrigators if new
contract negotiations fail. Farmers will see their
Operations and Maintenance (O&M) fees go up as
well. Each irrigation district n the Project has
electrical costs that must be passed on to the
irrigators. For example in Klamath Irrigation
District (KID), there are the costs to run the
Miller Hill Pumping Station and the Stukel Pumps.
When these additional power expenses are added in,
Klamath Project irrigators could face a 2500%
increase in farm expense.
Lyn Long again took the podium
to better explain the FERC settlement/relicensing
process. KWUA has one seat at the table during the
‘secret’ meetings and they will begin in earnest
next week in
Ashland ,
Oregon
. Others at the table are the Indian Tribes,
fishermen representatives, government agencies
(including the Bureau of Reclamation, Commerce -
NOAA), and two members of environmental groups.
Seeking a seat at the table is a representative for
Siskiyou County ,
California
.
Mr. Long also explained that
KWUA has hired a consultant to look into other forms
of power generation to be owned and operated by the
Klamath Project. Hydro generation on the C canal
drop, Gerber Dam, and Keno Dam would not supply
enough power for Klamath Project needs plus cost is
prohibitive. For each megawatt produced
hydroelectrically costs 1.5 million to build. It
would cost
6 to 8
million dollars to build a hydo plant at the Keno
Dam but it would only produce 4 megawatts.
Wind power was also looked at.
In general, the
Klamath
Basin
does not have enough sustained winds for a wind
farm.
Geo-thermal, though readily
available here in the
Klamath
Basin
; is not ‘super heated’ enough to run turbines.
Solar power is the one bright
spot. PacificCorp is starting a 15-year long study
using 3 or 4 on farm solar projects to power
electric pumps.
KWUA is also researching the
organization of a PUD – a Public Utility District
that could be an alternative to fall back on. The
Klamath Project has the legal authority to form a
PUD that would have a great deal of flexibility.
But in order for this to happen, the Project would
have to convince everybody in the basin – air base,
city, hospital, etc – to also sign on.
Scott Seus again took the
podium to stress that the Klamath Project irrigators
need to get smarter about water and energy
conservation. He reminded the audience about Energy
Trust of Oregon and their nozzle exchange program
and free pump efficiency testing that will be
available starting
April 1,
2005 .
Steve Kandra then asked Dave
Sabo, Bureau of Reclamation Klamath Office to speak
about the upcoming water year.