From Deseret News archives:
Rocky Mountain Power puts end to plant in American Fork Canyon
U.S. gets title, water rights to remnants of project
The company decommissioned the plant, which was built in the early 20th century, due to relicensing issues with the federal government. Realizing the the new licenses were not economical, Rocky Mountain Power decided to remove the facility, said Bob Atwood, the project manager.
The plant stopped producing electricity in 2004 after a landslide knocked out a main flow line, Atwood said. Since it was near to the decommissioning time, they decided not to spend the money to fix the lines.
Decisions to get rid of renewable sources of energy, such as a hydro-electric project, aren't taken lightly or made quickly, said Dave Eskelsen, manager and communications director for Rocky Mountain Power. Hydroelectric plants hold many advantages since the energy is renewable and water doesn't release carbon byproducts or other harmful materials into the air.
"They're (renewable energy sources) still valuable and useful," he said.
Decommissioning the plant required many steps, including removing the dam and steel pipes that ran up the sides of the canyon. About 20 men worked on removal, which began in early August.
"This project was challenging," said Mark Radich, contractor with J.R. Merit, which worked on the removal of the project. "It took everybody working well together."
Radich said they're proud that there weren't any incidents or injuries, especially since the men worked alongside water and in high elevations. He said good communication went into staying safe.
Mandated by a contract with the federal government, Rocky Mountain Power deeded the title of the project power house to the U.S. Forest Service, and transferred the water rights to the the Department of Wildlife Resources. Eskelsen said the water rights the company had were received in 1904.
Eskelsen said the company still owns several century-old hydroelectric plants in canyons throughout the Wasatch Front like the one they just decommissioned.
The powerhouse will remain in the canyon at its current location.
E-mail: csmith@desnews.com
