Washington, D.C.-   Today, Congressman Brian Baird (D-WA-03) announced as much as $800,000 in federal funding will be coming to Lewis County to help modernize the Packwood Lake Hydroelectric Facility.  The funding comes from the Department of Energy as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.  The facility's owner, Northwest Energy, will be required to match every federal dollar it receives.

"This project will create jobs, and increase our supply of clean, renewable energy to help meet the needs of our growing population," said Congressman Baird.  "This upgrade has been in the works for some time, but because of the Recovery Act, we will be able to get the project to construction faster, which will stimulate our local economy, while improving our infrastructure for future generations at the same time."

The money will allow Northwest Energy to purchase and install a Washington made Pelton Wheel Turbine, which will allow the facility to increase its generating capacity by as much as six percent.  The additional energy generated will count as renewable energy.   Construction is expected to be complete by August 2010.

Nationwide, as much as $30 million is being allocated for hydropower upgrades.  The Department of Energy specifically targeted projects where the cost would be shared by the private sector, and where modifications could be made without significant civil works construction.  As a result, these projects will be able to reach construction quickly, which will result in almost immediate job creation and economic stimulus. 

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