PORT ANGELES — The city’s Morse Creek hydroelectric plant might be restarted this week after dormancy for more than six years.
The city has received a letter from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission allowing interim operation of the plant, city Deputy Director of Power Systems Scott McLain told the city’s Utility Advisory Committee.
Public Works Director Glenn Cutler said city personnel will operate the plant for up to a year.
Then city staff will analyze the plant’s revenues and recommend whether the city should continue operating the plant, lease it or sell it, Cutler said.
City staffers have already operated the facility, so they will take the first turn before making any recommendation, he said.
McLain said the city has arranged with the Lower Elwha Klallam tribe to conduct a biological assessment of Morse Creek to establish minimum instream flow levels.
Establishing the minimum flow levels are necessary to determine how much water the city can divert out of the creek for power generation.