News Release Archive

Reclamation Announces Award of Contract for Replacement of Turbine Runners at Trinity Powerplant

Media Contact: Pete Lucero, 916 978 5100, plucero@usbr.gov

For Release: March 09, 2012

Reclamation Announces Award of Contract for Replacement of Turbine Runners at Trinity Powerplant The Bureau of Reclamation has awarded a $12.1 million contract for replacement of major components at the Trinity Powerplant on the Trinity River near Weaverville in Northern California.

The existing turbine runners have been worn to a condition beyond reasonable repair after 50 years of service. Turbine runners drive generators when they are spun by flowing water. The hydropower plant, which is part of the Central Valley Project, can generate up to 140 megawatts. A megawatt is enough to supply nearly 1,000 homes.

Reclamation's contract with Alstom Power Incorporated, awarded March 5, 2012, includes developing and fabricating an improved turbine runner design to ensure the facility's ability to provide cost-effective, non-polluting hydroelectricity. Work to install two new turbine runners will occur during operational outages in the winters of 2013-14 and 2014-15.

For more information about this project, please contact Steven Melavic, Reclamation, Central Valley Operations Office, at 916-979-3008 (TTY 700-450-6000), or e-mail smelavic@usbr.gov.

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The Bureau of Reclamation is a federal agency under the U.S. Department of the Interior and is the nation's largest wholesale water supplier and second largest producer of hydroelectric power. Our facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation opportunities, and environmental benefits. Visit our website at https://www.usbr.gov and follow us on Twitter @USBR; Facebook @bureau.of.reclamation; LinkedIn @Bureau of Reclamation; Instagram @bureau_of_reclamation; and YouTube @reclamation.