Dam Work Moved To 2025

Drawdown schedule released

From our friends at Consumers Energy:

Consumers Energy plans to begin construction on the Hardy Dam projects in 2025, pending the  receipt of regulatory, environmental, and federal approvals. This is separate from the process to  determine the future of our river hydros in Michigan.
  
So far, we have developed a memorandum of understanding for roadway work with the  Newaygo County Road Commission, completed pre-construction tree clearing, prepared an  environmental impact study as part of the Michigan Department of Environment Great Lakes  and Energy (EGLE) joint permit application (we anticipate receiving the joint permit in 2023), and  provided documents to the Federal Regulatory Commission (FERC).  

What remains is for EGLE to issue a permit authorizing the work, for FERC to issue an order  approving the license amendment, to obtain FERC’s construction approval, and obtain project  construction cost recovery approval from the Michigan Public Service Commission.  

We are committed to operating as a good neighbor and keeping you informed of the plans for  Hardy Dam, which has safely served our customers with clean, renewable energy for nearly a  century. You can find the latest news about Hardy Dam and any of our 13 hydroelectric power  plants at www.ConsumersEnergy.com/Hydro. 

Our current reservoir drawdown schedule through the end of 2025 is as follows:  
1. Return to normal level by Memorial Day 2023  
2. Drawdown to begin November 2023 (10 feet drawdown)  
3. Return to normal level by Memorial Day 2024  
4. Drawdown to begin November 2024 (10 feet drawdown)  
5. Return to normal level by Memorial Day 2025  
6. Drawdown for construction (in late 2025) and duration to be approved by  FERC  

We plan to return to your community for a public meeting in the second half of the year to  provide relevant project updates and revisit our hydro strategy. 
 
Don’t hesitate to contact us at [email protected] or 231-332-2800 if you have questions.  Thank you for your patience and support of Hardy Dam