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Name:
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waterph
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Subject:
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Water Level
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Date:
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8/25/2007 5:43:36 PM
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I'm having a real problem understanding the rationale of Alabama Power's corporate leadership and this corporations apparent display of arrogance and greed. Why? There is a simple engineering fix to the major issue on Smith Lake (water level) and it is called cooling towers at one of the four fossil fired plants. Installation of cooling towers at the Gorgas Steam plant would alleviate 95% of the water level issues on this lake. Follow the shorelines on this beautiful body of water at this time and it will make you sick at your stomach.
Don't try to convince me that this lake is being managed in a responsible manner. I understand that the lake initially was for electricity via hydro. That's what dams are designed to do. This leads me to believe that property owners on Smith Lake are not important to this giant corporation. Just listen to comments from individuals who are meeting with Alabama Power's senior management team and trying to come to a reasonable agreement so that Alabama Power's corporate financial objectives are met while also realizing reasonable water level targets. I concluded that Alabama Power's present position is "my way or the highway". Does this not sound like corporate mentality of the 30's and 40s that we read about in High School?
I believe that the original charter for Smith Lake in 1961 has been altered such that hydro generation is now a minor directive and this is now a vast body of cooled water that is dedicated for cooling efforts at the Gorgas steam plant. Should the permit process now being discussed address power generation only? NO! Other items such as recreation, environmental , safety, and aquatic life must be part of the consideration when the permit is granted.
Why is this issue continuing to linger? A fix has been identified and Alabama Power corporate personnel, if they are truthful, will admit that the massive changes in water level during July through Septemebr are planned and intended solely for cooling support downstream - not electricity demands from Hydro. Hydro is a very small part of the total equation for electricity generation.. A power plant without cooling towers cannot produce the necessary electrical output in the period July through September without some means of cooling.
Hydro power generation is no longer the main reason for Smith Lake. This body of water is now a cooling water source for Alabama Power's plant downstream of the dam. Alabama Power is dumping massive amounts of water from Smith Lake so that the efficiency of the coal fired plant can remain high and water permit standards for discharge water (90 degrees if similar to TVAs on the Tennessee River) will not be violated. Otherwise, this plant will run at lower rates and Alabama Power's budget standard for this plant will not be met. Does this mean that stock options or bonuses will be lowered? Regardless, Alabama Power will still get their annual rate increases from the Public Service Commission. They have a captive market and are guaranteed profitability.
The other coal fired plant of Alabama Power do not have a Smith Lake to depend upon. These three units have cooling towers (as does TVA's fossil fired plants). They are operating at maximum and still meeting all permit criteria. When will the property owners on Smith lake in Cullman, Walker, and Winston counties come together and demand that Alabama Power fix this issue? A beautiful lake with wonderful possibilities has become a mud hole for Alabama Power in the middle of the Summer. Look at the many boat docks, boats, and jet skis sitting on dry land in the middle of August. Don't try to tell me that this is a draught issue. Yes, we are in a draught but a drop of 2.4 feet in 13 days is not draught related. This is a deliberate and planned massive release by Alabama Power (yes, they do control water levels on Smith Lake).
I visited my property with the intent to push the dock out farther in the water. I did plan for these lower levels in 1994 and my dock is able to follw the water. Upon entering the property, I find that Alabama Power dropped the water level so fast during the last 13 days (2.4 feet) that the dock, pontoon boat, and jet skis are on dry land. Do I see evidence of boat dock damage. You bet your bippy that I did. A floating dock is designed to float on water and not sit on dry land. Luckly, I had pulled the ski boat out of the water earlier fearing that loading the boat for winter storage (in the middle of August) would be an impossibility. How true this was.
Am I angry with Alabama Power and the arrogance that it continues to exhibit toward the the property owners on Smith Lake. The answer is YES! We all are customers of Alabama Power and understand the need for electricity. I'm looking forward to the day when this corporation and its leaders will realize that managing Smith Lake and all the satellites is an honor that is granted by the people of this area. At some point in time, I'm hoping that the federal agencies granting this permit for the next 35 to 50 years will wake up and decide that Alabama Power is not meeting its total corporate responsibilities and a modification to the permit will force a broader expansion of its corporate responsibilities.
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