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Progress Report: Potsdam's Power Project

Story Published: May 2, 2012 at 6:22 PM EDT

Story Updated: May 2, 2012 at 6:22 PM EDT

Every gallon of water that flows by the inoperative West Dam Hydro plant is revenue being lost to the village of Potsdam.

But after years of costly delays and obstacles, village officials say the plant - in the middle of the village next to Fall Island -  is nearly complete and could be generating electricity by fall.

"It's moving along really well, now that we've got the parts," said village administrator David Fenton.
 
Construction began in 2007, but hit snag after snag - everything from defective turbine blades that had to be recast to lengthy delays in receiving parts. Now, five years later, most of the parts are in, as the project moves closer to going online.

"Now we're putting the gearbox on top of the turbine, and soon we'll be putting the generator on top of that. We've got electrical contractors in, they're starting to work on the distribution system," Fenton said.
 
One hurdle that still needs to be cleared: how the hydroelectric plant will be connected to National Grid's power grid.
 
Village officials are in early discussions with Clarkson University as a potential buyer of electricity.
 
The village is also looking to the courts for relief. Potsdam is  seeking more than $2 million in damages from its original parts supplier for the hydro project.

Village officials charge the supplier, Canadian Turbines, breached its contract by failing to deliver parts in a timely manner, costing the village thousands upon thousands of dollars in lost revenues and delays.
 
Sunday, May 19, 2013
, Watertown, NY

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