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PG&E highlights aging hydroelectric portfolio and large dam/spillway projects in Exhibit 5
Summary
PG&E’s Exhibit 5 emphasizes dam and spillway work to address large uncontrolled water‑release risk, relicensing obligations and aging infrastructure; the company described dozens of high‑cost projects at dams and powerhouses and asked the CPUC to continue and modify a hydro licensing balancing account.
PG&E said its energy supply exhibit (Exhibit 5) centers on hydroelectric and water infrastructure work needed to address aging assets, federal relicensing, and dam safety risks. Jason Huddleston (case manager for Exhibit 5) told the workshop that the hydro portfolio includes 165 dams, 58 powerhouses and more than 5,500 megawatts of generating capacity, with an average powerhouse age of more than 80 years.
Huddleston highlighted projects such as Fordyce Dam leak remediation, replacement of the Helm’s turbine shutoff valve (described as past typical life‑expectancy and subject to in‑service failures), Spalding Dam low‑level outlet replacement, and a ‘‘Cloud’’ spillway replacement to meet probable maximum flood standards. The company said the dam and spillway projects address the risk known as a ‘‘large uncontrolled water release’’ (a RAMP‑identified risk) and include both asset restoration and compliance actions associated with FERC relicensing and dam safety requirements.
PG&E asked the CPUC to continue and modify its hydro licensing balancing account (HLBA) to record costs and uncertain scopes associated with large‑scale remediation projects, and to continue directing certain license‑related costs to PowerGen. The company said the HLBA has previously returned funds to customers in past cycles and that placing similar uncertain costs in the HLBA can improve transparency and reviewability.
Workshop participants asked whether recently announced federal loan or financing vehicles for hydropower projects (referenced in questions) would be applied to the projects; PG&E said it would follow up with a more detailed response after the workshop.
