Schuyler
Nelson County, Virginia
We first told you about Jack Eggleston’s hydroelectric plant near Schuyler, VA in our June 2009 printed edition of Nelson County Life Magazine. Our story, Sweat Equity, was written by Aaron Lee and photographed by Lee Luther, Jr.
Recently Central Virginia Electric Cooperative in Arrington reached an agreement with Blue Sky Power to purchase the hydroelectric plant. “The plant was a natural fit for our Cooperative. It is located in the heart of our service territory, has withstood the high waters of Hurricane Camille and still has decades of useful life in its future. We expect it to serve our members for years to come,” said Gary Wood, CVEC President and CEO. The facility listed for $400,000.00 according to information posted on the pennlaird.com website with photos and information about the plant. The final purchase price was not disclosed as of this story.
In a news release, CVEC is classifying the 88 year-old hydroelectric power generation plant, situated on the Rockfish River in Nelson County, Virginia as a green energy source being added to its wholesale energy supply. The plant is one of the first electric power generation facilities in a largely rural county and was constructed to serve the needs of a nearby soapstone factory and the residents of Schuyler, Virginia. One of those residents was Earl Hamner, author and creator of the popular television show “The Waltons” that recounted the boyhood experiences of the author as he grew up in Schuyler.
CVEC says, while the Harris Bridge Plant has a long history of service, it is also ready to meet future expectations of cleaner energy production, now that is has been rehabilitated by Blue Sky Power. The facility was certified in 2009 as having a low impact on the environment by the Low-Impact Hydropower Institute. The plant, as presently configured, will generate approximately 1,000,000 KWH’s of electricity and prevent about 500 tons of carbon emissions a year.
The plant went dormant for a number of years after the decline of the soapstone plant until it was repaired and restarted in the early 1980’s. Blue Sky Power, took on the project of renovating the plant in 2005, refurbishing the old generating equipment and installing new hydraulic control equipment. “Having completed the renovations and put this plant back in service, we are pleased to entrust it to CVEC because we know they will be good stewards of the project,” said Jack Eggleston, President of Blue Sky Power.
Blue Sky Power develops renewable power generation projects. Since its founding in 2005, Blue Sky has led and participated in over a dozen solar and hydroelectric projects with generation capacities from 0.5 to 10 MW.
Central Virginia Electric Cooperative is a member-owned, not-for-profit, electric utility serving the rural portions of 14 Virginia counties.
