Alden has played and continues to play an active role in providing technical comments to UWAG and EPRI during the 316(b) rulemaking. As the Rule was being developed, Alden was selected by EPA as the recognized expert in the field of alternative fish protection technologies to participate at public meetings. Alden’s Team is comprised of engineers, fisheries scientists, and modeling personnel. Our multidisciplinary approach combines expertise in intake design and operational engineering, biology, economics, hydraulics and hydrology, and environmental restoration.
Alden’s philosophy is simple. We use a sensible approach that minimizes costs of compliance. When studies are required by the agencies, we excel at maximizing biological benefits through the development of flexible and cost-effective technology, restoration, and/or flow reduction alternatives.
Our approach includes:
• Evaluating site configurations to determine the most cost-effective arrangement for fish protection alternatives
• Assessing hydraulic and environmental conditions (debris, sediment, ice, etc.) that affect installation and effectiveness of each alternative
• Addressing O&M concerns (debris removal and equipment maintenance)
• Forecasting construction schedules
• Identifying capital and O&M costs and economic penalties
• Incorporating operational testing and biological monitoring features
This approach provides our clients with adequate information to make informed strategic decisions to pursue preferred compliance alternatives.
Alden has compiled many comprehensive reviews on fish passage and protection technologies for the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) including the 2004 report “Procedural Guideline for Evaluating Alternative Fish Protection Technologies to Meet Section 316(b) Requirements of the Clean Water Act.” Alden has a long-standing working relationship with the EPA, FERC, USFWS, NOAA, DOE, USACE, and many regional, state, and local agencies based on a history of successful interaction and mutual respect.
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"We Energies has used many of the technical reports developed by Alden and EPRI that address feasible fish protection strategies for both steam electric and hydroelectric facilities in our consultations with state and federal agencies over the past 15-years."- David Michaud and David Lee, WE Energies |
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"After a thorough review of several contracting options, we chose the EPRI and Alden team to help develop a comprehensive strategy for cooling system impact studies and options associated with 316(b) compliance. Site visits by both organizations were extremely helpful in explaining the new law and compliance alternatives to our staff and serving as a basis for site specific options, biological sampling design and strategic cost estimates that were extremely valuable to our management for budgetary guidance.
Cost saving due to using our EPRI membership advantage was approximately $400,000 in reduced consulting, engineering and outside contractor expenses. Our management and environmental staff have been extremely pleased with the comprehensive services provided by EPRI and Alden in helping us meet our cooling water permit requirements."
- John Thiel, Senior Environmental Biologist, Dairyland Power Cooperative |
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