Hancock County advances hydroelectric project with 40-year lease approval – WTOV

Report on the New Cumberland Locks and Dam Hydroelectric Project and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Project Overview and Strategic Agreement

The Hancock County Commission has formally approved a 40-year lease agreement with Current Hydro to advance the development of a hydroelectric power facility. This initiative represents a significant investment in renewable energy infrastructure, directly aligning with global sustainability targets.

• Project Scope: Development, construction, and operation of a 19.9-megawatt hydroelectric power facility.
• Location: Approximately 32 acres at the New Cumberland Locks and Dam site.
• Land Use: The project area includes land managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, county-owned land, and private property, all within the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) boundary.

Contribution to SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

The primary objective of this project is the generation of clean, renewable energy, which is the central aim of Sustainable Development Goal 7. By harnessing the power of the Ohio River, the facility will provide a sustainable energy source, contributing to the regional energy grid and reducing dependence on fossil fuels.

Advancing Climate Action and Sustainable Infrastructure (SDG 13 & SDG 9)

This development is a direct response to the call for climate action and the need for resilient infrastructure.

1. Climate Action (SDG 13): The 19.9-megawatt output will displace energy generated from carbon-intensive sources, contributing to the mitigation of climate change.
2. Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure (SDG 9): The project not only builds sustainable infrastructure but also employs an innovative and accelerated development strategy. By pursuing all necessary permits concurrently rather than sequentially, Current Hydro aims to expedite the delivery of clean energy, showcasing an efficient model for future infrastructure projects.

Fostering Economic Growth and Community Sustainability (SDG 8 & SDG 11)

The project is set to deliver significant local economic and community benefits, supporting the objectives of SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).

• Economic Contribution: A key component of the agreement is a voluntary pilot agreement wherein Current Hydro will contribute tax payments. This commitment ensures the project provides direct financial support for public services, fostering local economic resilience.
• Community Partnership: Commissioner Eron Chek highlighted this voluntary financial arrangement as a “neighborly” act, underscoring the company’s commitment to being a responsible partner in the community’s sustainable development.

Strategic Partnerships for Goal Achievement (SDG 17)

The successful implementation of this project exemplifies SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). It is founded on a multi-stakeholder collaboration between public and private entities, including:

• Hancock County Commission (Local Government)
• Current Hydro (Private Sector)
• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Federal Agency)

This partnership model is crucial for mobilizing the resources and expertise needed to develop large-scale sustainable infrastructure projects and achieve shared development goals.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy – The core of the article is the development of a hydroelectric power facility, which is a source of clean and renewable energy.
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure – The project involves the construction of new, sustainable energy infrastructure (the hydroelectric plant) to support the community.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – The article highlights a formal partnership between a government body (Hancock County Commission) and a private company (Current Hydro) to achieve the project’s goals.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

   • Target 7.2: By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix. The article discusses the construction and operation of a “19.9-megawatt hydroelectric power facility,” which directly contributes to increasing the proportion of renewable energy in the local energy supply.
   • Target 7.a: By 2030, enhance international cooperation to facilitate access to clean energy research and technology, including renewable energy… and promote investment in energy infrastructure and clean energy technology. The project represents a significant investment in clean energy infrastructure at the New Cumberland Locks and Dam.

2. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

   • Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure… to support economic development and human well-being. The hydroelectric plant is a piece of sustainable and reliable energy infrastructure designed for long-term operation, as indicated by the 40-year lease.

3. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

   • Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships. The article explicitly details a public-private partnership through the “40-year lease agreement” between the public Hancock County Commission and the private entity, Current Hydro, for the development and operation of the facility.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator for Target 7.2: The article provides a specific metric for installed renewable energy capacity. The statement that the project is a “19.9-megawatt hydroelectric power facility” serves as a direct indicator of the increase in renewable energy generation capacity (related to official indicator 7.2.1: Renewable energy share in the total final energy consumption).
• Indicator for Target 17.17: The existence of the “40-year lease agreement” between the Hancock County Commission and Current Hydro is a tangible indicator of a functioning public-private partnership. The agreement itself and the voluntary tax payments mentioned in the pilot agreement are evidence of this collaboration (related to official indicator 17.17.1: Amount of United States dollars committed to public-private and civil society partnerships).

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Table

Source: wtov9.com