FERC has engineers and scientist that know more about operating a power generating facility along a river than local citizens.
Why does this newspaper and some local residents think they know more than the engineers and scientist at FERC?
Northfield Pump Storage is following the rules. They are not trying to hide anything. The operators are being proactive. They cannot wait until the middle of winter to ask for permission to increase storage capacity, it will be too late.
Did you forget, this region has lost over 750 MW of generating power in the last few years when Yankee and Holyoke were shut down?
If the northeast region is hit with a long cold snap this winter, and more electricity is needed to keep business running and for heating homes, Northfield will be ready to help meet the demand.
The Northfield facility has a natural way of storing electricity in its upper reservoir, by utilizing the extra storage capacity.
There are some very smart people who operate and maintain Northfield Pump Storage. These same people enjoy boating, fishing and relaxing along the Connecticut river. They own homes, raise their families in Franklin County and care as much about the river as you and I.
I wish the editorial page of The Recorder and the overly “concerned” local residents would look at this increased storage application in a more positive light, as a contingency plan. Why must this newspaper focus on phantom, made up, facts concerning riverbank erosion?
Let FERC worry about it. That’s why the agency exists, let them do their job.
Jim Bates
Greenfield