Appalachian Power Company (Appalachian), a unit of AEP, is the Licensee, owner, and operator of the 30.1 megawatts (MW), two-development, Byllesby-Buck Hydroelectric Project (Project) (Project No. 2514), located on the upper New River in Carroll County, Virginia. The Byllesby development is located about 9 miles north of the City of Galax. The Buck development is located approximately 3 river miles downstream of Byllesby and 43.5 river miles upstream of Claytor Dam. The Project was constructed in 1912 and has been operated by Appalachian for hydroelectric power generation since 1926.
As presently licensed, the Byllesby development consists of 1) a 64-foot-high, 528-foot-long concrete dam and main spillway section topped with 4 sections of 9-foot-high flashboards, 5 sections of 9-foot-high inflatable crest gates, and 6 bays of 10-foot-high Tainter gates; 2) an auxiliary spillway including 6 sections of 9-foot-high flashboards; 3) a 239-acre reservoir with a gross storage capacity of 2,000 acre-feet; 4) a powerhouse containing four generating units with a total installed capacity of 21.6 MW; and 5) appurtenant facilities.
As presently licensed, the Buck development consists of 1) a 42-foot-high, 353-foot-long concrete dam; 2) a 1,005-foot-long, 19-foot-high spillway section topped with 20 sections of 9-foot-high flashboards, 4 sections of 9-foot-high inflatable crest gates, and 6 bays of 10-foot-high Tainter gates; 3) a 66-acre impoundment with a gross storage capacity of 661 acre-feet; 4) a powerhouse containing three generating units with a total installed capacity of 8.5 MW; and 5) appurtenant facilities.
The current operating license for the Project expires on February 29, 2024. In accordance with the Commission's regulations, Appalachian must file its application with FERC no later than 24 months before the existing license expires, which for the Byllesby-Buck Project is February 28, 2022.
