Electricity produced (kilowatt hours):
2007
May: 2,944,976
June: 142,282
July: 149,522
August: 6,003
2008
May: 1,686,405
June: 1,076,625
July: 1,840,241
August: 858,000 *
*Based on kwh produced up to Aug. 11.
With drought-like conditions choking Black River flows last summer, Watertown officials were looking skyward for a climatic abracadabra to produce rainfall that would boost hydropower revenues. This summer has been quite the opposite. With more than ample rain, the city has operated its hydropower plant daily, something it couldn't do last summer.
City officials actually shut down the Marble Street facility during portions of June, July, August and a few days in October last year because the Black River was not high enough to operate any of the three turbines.
The city uses the electricity it produces to power a few municipally owned buildings. Excess power is sold to National Grid for a profit. The city budgets annual revenues of $2.8 million from the electricity it sells.
"We fell short by about $648,000 of our projections because it was so dry last year," City Manager Mary M. Corriveau said.
Last week, the plant began operating all three turbines, Mrs. Corriveau said.
About 110,000 kilowatt hours per day are produced by the plant per hour while all the turbines are running.
The first 11 days this month, the plant produced 858,000 kwh, compared with the 6,003 produced in all of last August.
The city paid $105,507 to purchase electricity from National Grid in June and July last year. This year, National Grid handed over $149,545.91 to buy excess electricity the past two months.
Mrs. Corriveau was quick not to concede that the city is in better standing financially because of the additional money.
"With one-twelfth of the fiscal year through, we still need to see how things are going to end up," she said. "This is an uncontrolled revenue source driven by Mother Nature. We could see huge swings either way."
That revenue is coming from the wetter-than-average season the north country is experiencing.
Typically, 2.2 inches of rain falls during July in Watertown. More than 4.3 inches fell in the city last month. In June, 4.9 inches fell, compared with the 3.8 inches the city historically sees.
While localized runoffs contribute to the Black River, most of the water that is used to turn the turbines is picked up by the river farther south and east in the Adirondacks. Stillwater Reservoir also feeds the Black River and, during dry periods, supplies a third of the flows passing through Watertown.
The river was flowing at 7,070 cubic feet per second through the city Wednesday afternoon, according to the U.S. Geological Survey Web site. That is three times greater than the historical average.
At least 1,800 cfs must be flowing into Watertown to turn the turbines. The river hovered at 1,100 cfs for most of last summer. The Hudson River-Black River Regulating District controls outflow from the Stillwater Reservoir to maintain a flow of at least 1,000 cfs through the city.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Minister Brews Up Bible Coffee Klatch
Grab a latte and learn about Leviticus or sit down with a cup of java and debate the writings of John. One Watertown church is holding a weekly Bible study at a nearby coffeehouse to help defray utility costs and create a comfortable atmosphere for parishioners.
The Rev. Timothy R. LaBouf, pastor of First Baptist Church, said he's been holding the study at the Starbucks off Arsenal Street for about five months. On average, 15 people attend the sessions, that are held either on the outdoor patio or inside in oversized chairs.
"I see it as a win-win for both the church and the business," he said. "We buy their coffee and we're given a nice place to talk about the Lord."
The Rev. Mr. LaBouf said he has been experimenting with ways to reach out to parishioners - potential and existing - in settings they are already familiar with. One of these "doorways" is through Starbucks.
"It's designed to be a very casual thing," he said. "I find that people are more likely to come to church if they already know someone there, like a friend."
Conversing over a cup of coffee can help initiate that friendship, he said.
"We have people at the study who attend our church regularly, and some who I haven't seen yet on Sundays," the Rev. Mr. LaBouf said.
Another reason to hold the studies away from the 107-year-old downtown church are rising utility costs.
The Rev. Mr. LaBouf said utility bills can reach $3,000 per month during the dead of winter.
"Now, we're not turning up the heat, or the air conditioner, and we're keeping the lights off and things unplugged," he said. "You have to be creative when it comes to looking for off-site venues. Utility costs are one of the driving forces."
The church underwent an energy audit by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority in the spring. Energy-saving lights have replaced regular bulbs in the sanctuary and thermostats that can be programmed to adjust the building's temperature just prior to events were installed.
"It helps clean up things we really needed to address," the minister said. "We've made projections about where we think we need to be, but we won't know the full extent of how things will help until winter."
Starbucks isn't the only off-site retreat the Rev. Mr. LaBouf is considering.
He plans to reach out to other churches in the area to gather support for a large nondenominational service to be held later this month at Thompson Park.
"We have such a beautiful location to hold this and limited months to do it," he said. "It can be a casual setting, then after the service we can have a picnic or barbecue."
The Rev. Mr. LaBouf said the service will be held Aug. 24 and can be pushed back a week in case of inclement weather.
"Let's take advantage of this gem we have right in our backyards," he said.
The Rev. Timothy R. LaBouf, pastor of First Baptist Church, said he's been holding the study at the Starbucks off Arsenal Street for about five months. On average, 15 people attend the sessions, that are held either on the outdoor patio or inside in oversized chairs.
"I see it as a win-win for both the church and the business," he said. "We buy their coffee and we're given a nice place to talk about the Lord."
The Rev. Mr. LaBouf said he has been experimenting with ways to reach out to parishioners - potential and existing - in settings they are already familiar with. One of these "doorways" is through Starbucks.
"It's designed to be a very casual thing," he said. "I find that people are more likely to come to church if they already know someone there, like a friend."
Conversing over a cup of coffee can help initiate that friendship, he said.
"We have people at the study who attend our church regularly, and some who I haven't seen yet on Sundays," the Rev. Mr. LaBouf said.
Another reason to hold the studies away from the 107-year-old downtown church are rising utility costs.
The Rev. Mr. LaBouf said utility bills can reach $3,000 per month during the dead of winter.
"Now, we're not turning up the heat, or the air conditioner, and we're keeping the lights off and things unplugged," he said. "You have to be creative when it comes to looking for off-site venues. Utility costs are one of the driving forces."
The church underwent an energy audit by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority in the spring. Energy-saving lights have replaced regular bulbs in the sanctuary and thermostats that can be programmed to adjust the building's temperature just prior to events were installed.
"It helps clean up things we really needed to address," the minister said. "We've made projections about where we think we need to be, but we won't know the full extent of how things will help until winter."
Starbucks isn't the only off-site retreat the Rev. Mr. LaBouf is considering.
He plans to reach out to other churches in the area to gather support for a large nondenominational service to be held later this month at Thompson Park.
"We have such a beautiful location to hold this and limited months to do it," he said. "It can be a casual setting, then after the service we can have a picnic or barbecue."
The Rev. Mr. LaBouf said the service will be held Aug. 24 and can be pushed back a week in case of inclement weather.
"Let's take advantage of this gem we have right in our backyards," he said.
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