Elgin will study hydroelectric power

The possibility of installing a hydroelectric power facility at Elgin's Kimball Street dam took a step forward Wednesday after the city council unanimously voted to fund a feasibility study to look at the issue.

The city will pay ORENCO Hydropower of Palo Alto, Calif., $25,000, along with $3,750 for other expenses, to conduct the four week study. Formal work will begin after Jan. 1, said Mark Matousek, the company's vice chairman.

The facility could generate revenue from energy savings that the city could use or sell back to the utility company. The city could also sell renewable energy credits and greenhouse gas emission reduction credits.

In a presentation to council members, Matousek provided preliminary figures on the project's costs, though he cautioned not to look too much into the numbers since the feasibility study will present a more accurate picture.

The hydropower facility could cost about $1.5 million to construct and four years to pay back, Matousek said.

He suggested the project could be funded with state bonds, grant offerings or funding from an outside party, though the city has indicated it would own and operate the facility.

Matousek said he already has had discussions with some community stakeholders, including the Fox River Study Group and members of the Elgin Sustainable Master Plan Committee.

Councilman Dave Kaptain, a member of the committee and a mayoral candidate, said officials from the Fox River Water Reclamation District and Gail Borden Public Library have indicated they want to partner with the city on the project.

Councilman John Steffen, who also sits on the committee, said putting in a hydropower facility could be an investment in the dam, which is repaired every six to eight years.

It could take a total of three years to put the hydropower system in place half of that time would be needed to secure project licenses, Matousek said.