| The developers have been rather vague on
their need for water, even though when planning a
project like this, the first thing you get is a
complete set of specifications from manufacturers
of gas turbine electric generators. Those specs always include
water needs versus output. Turbine sets need clean water for cooling.
When a high output is needed, they also inject water which turns
to steam which gives a big boost in power output. It has been estimated
that, under high electrical output conditions, the plants could
require as much as 2 million gallons of water a day. Lower output
could require 100 thousand gallons a day.
They plan to build the plants next to Torne Brook. Those of us who
hike regularly know that all brooks in Harriman
have very little water flow most of the year,
especially in the summer when the demand for electricity
is at its highest. Usually, the streams are pretty mossy glens
with tiny trickles, water flow is visible only after a good rain
and that flow usually lasts a few days at the most. So
where is the water for the power plants gonna
come from?
The Ramapo River is already heavily used. It recharges the wells
which supply Suffern and the surrounding area.
Indeed, if the river level drops below a certain
rate, the United Water Company, (a French owned, profit
making corporation which is the water supplier for the area and
parts of Northern NJ), must stop pumping from its
wells. In addition, downstream in Pompton Lakes,
Ramapo River water is pumped up into the Wanaque
Reservoir to keep that level up. Given the water shortages we experience
each summer, local residents and the water company are not about
to let the power plant developers have large quantities of water.
So where will they go for water?
At the top of Torne Valley is Pine Meadow Lake, which has a
capacity of 289 million gallons. The PIPC is now
cooperating with the United Water Company and is
siphoning water from this Lake to augment Ramapo River
flow. So a precedent exists for the PIPC to supply Harriman's lake
waters to commercial companies.
How long would Pine Meadow Lake last if that water is used for the
power plants. Well, it holds about 144 days worth of
water for high power output. OK. They won't be
putting out maximum power continuously and rains
will recharge the Lake. So let's give them three years before
we see the muddy bottom of Pine Meadow Lake.
So what's the harm. The Lake only has a few pairs of nesting
geese and hikers are not supposed to swim there
anyway. Think of all the opportunities for
historical diggings, new trails, a golf course, big MAC's
in the woods, etc.
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