HomeMy WebLinkAbout5.3.22 Board Correspondence - FW_ Dam Safety Compliance Report submitted in FERC P-619-000 by Pacific Gas and Electric Company,et al. (4)
From:Paulsen, Shaina
To:BOS
Subject:Board Correspondence - FW: Dam Safety Compliance Report submitted in FERC P-619-000 by Pacific Gas and Electric Company,et al.
Date:Tuesday, May 3, 2022 12:07:50 PM
Please see Board Correspondence below.
Shaina Paulsen
Associate Clerk of The Board
Butte County Administration
25 County Center Drive, Suite 200, Oroville, CA 95965
T: 530.552.3304 | F: 530.538.7120
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Sent: Tuesday, May 3, 2022 12:05 PM
Subject: Dam Safety Compliance Report submitted in FERC P-619-000 by Pacific Gas and Electric Company,et al.
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On 5/3/2022, the following Filing was submitted to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), Washington D.C.:
Filer: Pacific Gas and Electric Company
No Organization Found (as Agent)
Docket(s): P-619-000
Lead Applicant: Pacific Gas and Electric Company
Filing Type: Dam Safety Compliance Report
Description: Pacific Gas and Electric Company submits Engineering Evaluation and Analysis of Potential Spillway Improvement
Alternatives for Bucks Storage Dam for Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project under P-619.
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245 Market Street
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San Francisco, CA 94105
Mailing Address:
Mail Code N11D
P.O. Box 770000
San Francisco, CA 94177
May 3, 2022
Via Electronic Submittal (E-File)
Frank L. Blackett, P.E., Regional Engineer
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
Division of Dam Safety and Inspections
San Francisco Regional Office
100 First Street, Suite 2300
San Francisco, CA 94105-3084
RE: Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC No. 619-CA
Bucks Storage Dam, NATDAM No. CA00332
Engineering Evaluation and Analysis of Potential Spillway Improvement
Alternatives
ENCLOSURES CONTAIN CUI//CEII DO NOT RELEASE
Dear Frank L. Blackett:
This letter presents the results of an engineering study to analyze and evaluate potential
improvement alternatives for the spillway at Bucks Storage Dam, which is part of Pacific
PG&E) Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission (FERC) No. 619. PG&E completed the study as part of its
Spillway Assessment and Improvement Program (SAIP), which was established to
address follow-up actions from a series of focused spillway assessments performed in
2017. s on the status of the study was provided in letters to
your office dated December 31, 2020, and April 21, 2021.
PG&E retained an engineering consultant, GEI, to analyze the structural and hydraulic
performance of the spillway and evaluate potential alternatives for improvements to
mitigate apparent deficiencies. To support the analyses, GEI reviewed historical records
(e.g, engineering documents and reports of previous inspections, investigations, and
assessments); evaluated geologic, geotechnical, and hydrologic conditions; and identified
applicable spillway performance criteria. Results of the analyses and alternatives
evaluation are presented in a report titled Bucks Storage Dam Spillway Improvement
Engineering Analysis and Alternative Study (prepared by GEI and dated February 2022),
which is enclosed with this letter (Enclosure 1).
PG&E has reviewed the enclosed report and concurs with the findings and conclusions
presented therein. Although the report includes a recommended alternative for potential
Frank L. Blackett, P.E. Regional Engineer
May 3, 2022
Page 2
spillway improvements, PG&E recognizes that the engineering alternatives evaluated as
part of the study are conceptual and based on limited information. PG&E considers the
alternatives and recommendations presented in the report to be preliminary and subject to
potential changes based on additional investigation and analysis. The actual scope and
timing of any future projects depend on the results of further study.
The analyses and evaluations described in the enclosed report are the subject of
recommendations and other follow-up actions from previous spillway inspections and
assessments at Bucks Storage Dam, including the following sources:
Focused spillway assessment report, dated December 26, 2017; and
Part 12D safety inspection report, dated October 2020.
To assist in recordkeeping, PG&E has prepared status updates for open follow-up actions
pertaining to analysis and evaluation of the spillway. The updates are presented in the
enclosed status summary table (Enclosure 2), which identifies recommendations that have
been resolved as part of the engineering analysis and alternatives study (Enclosure 1). For
recommendations that have not yet been resolved, the table includes plans and
schedules for further action to address them.
As part of the SAIP, PG&E is establishing a long-term Capital Improvements Program
(CIP) to address deficiencies at its spillways. The CIP includes spillway improvement
projects at various stages of development, including several that are currently under
design and others (like the spillway at Bucks Storage Dam) for which evaluations of
potential improvement alternatives have been completed. Within the SAIP, additional
spillways are being investigated and analyzed to determine whether capital improvements
are necessary. As potential projects are identified, they will be incorporated into the CIP.
Based on the number and scope of potential projects, PG&E expects the CIP to continue
for at least 15 to 20 years.
PG&E is developing a risk-informed framework to evaluate, prioritize, and schedule
projects within the CIP. Projects that are in the design phase represent the highest priority
work and will continue as presently scheduled. However, PG&E must evaluate projects
that are in the initial planning phase and periodically reprioritize the work as new projects
are brought into the CIP. As part of the CIP project evaluation and prioritization process,
PG&E also plans to review existing interim risk-reduction measures (IRRMs) and identify
potential new IRRMs that may be appropriate until long-term improvement projects are
completed.
Over the next 12 months, PG&E plans to evaluate and prioritize potential long-term
spillway improvements at Bucks Storage Dam within the overall CIP portfolio. By July 31,
2023, PG&E will report to FERC on the evaluation results and provide a plan and schedule
for further actions to improve the spillway. PG&E will also provide a plan and schedule for
developing, implementing, and maintaining IRRMs, as necessary, until long-term
improvements are completed.
Frank L. Blackett, P.E. Regional Engineer
May 3, 2022
Page 3
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, nonessential PG&E staff continue to work
remotely, and hard copy filings are not practical at this time. If FERC requires hard copies
of this letter and enclosures, please contact the license coordinator identified below. If
necessary, hard copies will be sent after PG&E staff return to their normal work locations.
Should you have technical questions concerning this matter, please contact
safety engineer, Ben Fontana, at (530) 762-9459. For general questions, please contact
Jamie Visinoni, at (530) 215-6676.
Sincerely,
Robert O. Ellis, P.E., G.E.
Deputy Chief Dam Safety Engineer
Enclosures: CUI//CEII DO NOT RELEASE
1. Bucks Storage Dam Spillway Improvement Engineering Analysis and Alternative Study,
prepared by GEI and dated February 2022
2. Status Update for Open Follow-up Actions Pertaining to Spillway Analysis and
Evaluation
cc: With Enclosures
Sharon Tapia, Chief
Department of Water Resources
Division of Safety of Dams
2720 Gateway Oaks Drive, Suite 300
Sacramento, CA 95833