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Resident warns River Falls ratepayers could shoulder dam-removal costs amid relicensing debate
Summary
At a 2026 River Falls Utility Advisory Board meeting, public commenter Miss LaRue argued that opponents of hydro relicensing pushed studies and appeals that increased costs, and warned that dam removal and related studies would shift large expenses to ratepayers; the board did not take action.
Miss LaRue told the River Falls Utility Advisory Board that the city’s hydroelectric projects were debt-free and cash positive before relicensing became contentious, and she urged caution about moves to remove dams that she said would raise costs for ratepayers.
“The hydros were debt free and had a respectable positive cash flow,” Miss LaRue said, summarizing the utility’s earlier financial position and criticizing local conservation groups’ tactics. She said the city hired TRC for relicensing work with an estimated cost of $200,000 to $400,000, and that opponents asked FERC for numerous additional studies and initially sought dam removal.
Miss LaRue recounted that the city spent close to $1,000,000 updating the hydros, that FERC had denied an extension request but later granted a five-year extension (she cited February 2016), and that opponents had not paid for proposed removal work. She also told the board the city was moving forward with what she described as a roughly $24,000,000 project to commercialize the Kinney for enhanced trout fishing and related amenities and questioned the nexus between such investments and higher electric bills.
The comment drew no board motion or formal response in the meeting record. Board members thanked Miss LaRue after her remarks and proceeded with scheduled agenda items.
Why it matters: Miss LaRue framed relicensing and dam removal as a potential long-term cost shift to utility customers and questioned claims that opponents would fund removals. The city and regulators (FERC) control relicensing and removal processes; Miss LaRue’s remarks were presented as public comment and were not adopted as policy or directed for staff follow-up in the session.
