By Steve Schultze, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Feb. 4--Milwaukee County could begin courting a private developer to build a hydroelectric power plant near Estabrook Dam under a plan the County Board's parks committee endorsed Wednesday.
The move was prompted by a study by a firm that suggested a small hydroelectric generating unit could be built privately for about $4 million if the county guarantees to repair and operate the 1930s-era dam to ensure a steady flow of water from the Milwaukee River.
The river bottom would have to be excavated and a special channel also would have to be dug to ensure deep enough water at the dam to run hydroelectric turbines, according to a study from Titus Energy Management Services, a local firm. The county would receive a share of revenue from the sale of power generated by the dam, the study says.
The parks committee approved consideration of a hydroelectric facility as part of a $200,000 dam stability analysis the county has agreed to do this year. The plan said the county was interested in "a potential public/private partnership for the development, operation and management" of the power plant near the dam, in Glendale near Port Washington Road. The idea was couched in carefully crafted legalese aimed at giving the county the option of backing away from the idea if further study determined a power plant was not feasible.
The committee vote was 5-1, with Supervisor Gerry Broderick, the committee chairman, opposed.
"I am dubious of the idea, at best," Broderick said. The project raises environmental concerns and likely wouldn't be financially workable, he said.
Supervisor Theo Lipscomb, who represents the Glendale area on the County Board, said the hydroelectric idea had merit because it could mean some private support toward preserving the dam and providing a clean energy source. Repair cost estimates have been as high $12 million; Lipscomb said he believes it could be fixed for far less.
Environmental groups have called for removal of the dam, while owners of riverfront property in the area favor its restoration to preserve boating and other recreational opportunities upstream.
"The hydro power is just another grabbing at straws to find a reason why that dam should exist," said Cheryl Nenn, of the Milwaukee Riverkeeper group.
Several hurdles would have to be cleared for a hydro plant to become reality. If built as suggested by Titus on the south bank of the river, an agreement would have to be reached with the owner of that property, Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare. It would also need to pass muster with state and federal regulators.
Tanya Meyer, a Department of Natural Resources environmental engineer, said the agency had to review the Titus report before she could comment on whether a hydroelectric unit could be installed near the dam.
The study by Titus said the plant could generate about 650 kilowatts of power. The project could pay for itself in about 10 years, depending on energy prices, according to the study. The study's $15,000 cost was split by the county and the City of Glendale.
Titus executives have said they would be interested in spearheading the project, but the county would seek proposals from other firms as well, Lipscomb said.
The full County Board is to take up the proposal Thursday. County Executive Scott Walker said he was reserving judgment on the project until after the dam stability analysis is done.
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