Hydro project should benefit Black River Falls

From an article by in the Jackson County Chronicle:

The Black River Falls City Council has been assured that the city will see the financial benefits in the long run despite two multimillion-dollar city utility projects that are projected to raise customer utility rates over the next four years.

Most of this financial benefit will come from the installation of the third hydro unit on the Black River, part of the estimated $5 million dam and hydroelectric project, according to Tim Ament, a representative from Wisconsin Public Power Inc. who addressed the council on Aug. 5. The dam is currently operated with two hydro units.

“We will be capitalizing on the potential of the river,” said Jerry Ewert, city utility manager. “The cash turnover will keep going for a long time.”

The council also heard the projected utility rate increases through 2012. The dam and hydroelectric project, coupled with a new $3.5 million utility operations center, will raise the average monthly utility bill from $66.88 to $92.83 by 2012. Ewert said the figure also includes the regular base rate increase all utility companies are subject to.