OWA Releases Community Guide to Small Waterpower Development
TORONTO, July 6, 2016 /CNW/ - The Ontario Waterpower Association (OWA) is pleased to announce the release of a new Community Guide to Small Waterpower Development. The guide has been prepared to help local communities, including; municipalities, public sector entities, private land owners and cooperatives to effectively participate and partner in waterpower projects.
"Ontario has more than a century of history in community waterpower development and ownership," said Paul Norris, OWA President. "There is significant interest in retrofitting existing infrastructure and this guide will help communities understand how to consider local opportunities in small hydro."
Over the past two months, with support from the Independent Electricity System Operator's (IESO) Education and Capacity Building program (ECB), the OWA has convened a series of workshops across southern Ontario focused on engaging and informing municipalities with waterpower potential within their boundaries. The community guide provides a synopsis of the key concepts covered at these sessions and is now being made available to all municipalities and others with an interest in small hydro.
"Ontario once boasted more than five hundred (500) small hydro facilities spread across the province", added Norris. "While there are still over two hundred (200) waterpower facilities in operation, there is significant untapped potential at non-powered dams. Investing in these existing structures can be a win-win for the environment and the community."
The guide includes an overview of hydrology, waterpower technologies, resources access and site viability, environmental considerations, financial modeling and business development. Copies of the community guide can be obtained by contacting Stephanie Landers, OWA Communications and Public Outreach Coordinator at 1-866-743-1500 ext. 25 or through e-mail at [email protected]
The OWA is a not-for profit organization representing the common and collective interests of the waterpower industry. The OWA is the proponent of the Class Environmental Assessment for Waterpower Projects in Ontario and has developed a series of environmental Best Management Practices to support new development. For more information, please visit owa.ca.
SOURCE Ontario Waterpower Association
Image with caption: "A Community Guide for Small Waterpower Development - now available! (CNW Group/Ontario Waterpower Association)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160706_C8713_PHOTO_EN_728180.jpg
Stephanie Landers, OWA Communications and Public Outreach Coordinator at 1-866-743-1500 ext. 25 or through e-mail at [email protected]
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