OxfordPress.com

HAMILTON — City officials can move forward with plans to build a hydroelectric plant on the Ohio River after getting license approval from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

The commissioners approved the license Wednesday, June 25, for the city to construct and operate a $350 million hydroelectric project at the Meldahl Locks and Dam, which is east of Cincinnati along the river.

The move prevents the project from being moved out of Ohio and will create jobs in the region, according to U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown's office.

"Hydroelectric power is an important component of Ohio's renewable energy industry," said Brown, D-Ohio, who in April urged the commission to make a final decision after the Kentucky Division of Water filed an application on the project.

Getting the license now will likely save the city an estimated $40 million in construction costs, said City Manager Mark Brandenburger.

"It certainly gives us an edge," he said, referring to an anticipated 3 percent hike in the project's cost if it were delayed a year.

Before construction begins, environmental studies must be conducted on the presence of protected mussels in the river and Indiana Bats which may inhabit trees along the banks.

If mussels are found, they'll need to be relocated between June and August. If the bats are found, tree removal could be done only in the winter months.

Construction could begin as early as next year and it is estimated the project will come online in 2013. At that point, it is estimated, 65 percent of the city's electricity will be generated by hydroelectric power.

FERC requested some minor modifications to the project's plans, but they shouldn't delay construction, Brandenburger said.

Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2122 or rwilson@coxohio.com.