County board proceeding cautiously on hydroelectric dam project

By BRYCE KELLY

Mt. Pleasant News

The Henry County Conservation board is cautious about moving too fast and too soon on a hydroelectric dam project at Oakland Mills.

During Monday night?s Henry County Conservation board meeting, the dam project was the main topic of discussion with the board all in agreement that more information about the dam needed to be obtained before the board would entertain the idea of spending taxpayer money on such an expensive project. Currently, the board would like to observe a hydroelectric dam in action similar to the one that could be installed in Henry County to see if such a dam works properly in other places before spending the money to install one at Oakland Mills.

Henry County Conservation director, John Pullis, along with the board members were in agreement that jumping the gun on such a massive project would be unwise at this time, but wanted to clear the air for those who were questioning the progress of the project.

?Currently, AMJet Turbine Systems (the company that is producing this hydroelectric turbine and generator) has received funding for their generator and turbine project that will allow them to build a full-scale one. According to reports, AMJet is shooting for next June to have a full-scale model to move to Brainerd, Minn. for testing,? explained Pullis. ?As far as the hydroelectric project goes, there is still a lot of interest in it. Right now, we are just waiting to see what AMJet?s test results come up with after they have tested their full-scale product in Brainerd.?

Board member Jim Onorato echoed Pullis? thoughts saying he understands that many are anxious for the project to move faster, but admits he and the rest of the board don?t want to spend Henry County taxpayers? money on a project until they have seen positive test results.

?There is no doubt that this whole board is entirely in favor of green energy. We want this project to happen, and if it takes five years or more for it to happen, then that?s fine with us as long as we feel comfortable that it will work properly,? said Onorato. ?I personally don?t spend taxpayers? money on something that I don?t know is going to work, and right now we don?t know if this hydroelectric system is going to work until we see it in action in other places similar to Henry County.?

As the board receives more information on the hydroelectric project, they assured the public that they would be diligent about sharing those details with the county and those that have interest in the project. The Henry County Conservation department also has informational booklets with complete specifications on the dam project that may be picked up at their office in Oakland Mills.

Besides the dam project, Pullis also gave an update on some construction projects. First, Pullis announced that the footbridge is mostly complete with the exception of some minor grouting and waterproofing that may have to be put on hold until spring. The Nature Center is also getting a minor makeover with some miscellaneous door repairs and display additions.

Cari Nicely finished out the meeting with her Naturalist?s report and an announcement that the county now has three brown bats that have been cleared and certified to be used as teaching aids in schools and Henry County Conservation events.

?We have two little female brown bats and one male brown bat,? Nicely announced. ?Now that I have all the proper licensing for them, I can officially say that Henry County Conservation has mammals, reptiles, amphibians, birds, fish and insects to use in our various programs, so I am just thrilled about that.?

The next Henry County Conservation meeting will be on Monday, Jan. 12, at 6 p.m., at the Henry County Conservation meeting room in the office at Oakland Mills.