Letting a river flow

The staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission happily surprised fishermen nationwide last spring when it recommended for the first time the removal of a hydro-electric dam, the Edwards Dam on the Kennebec River. The commission should follow the advice of staff members when it meets today to help settle the issue.

Built 160 years ago, the Edwards Dam produces 3.5 megawatts of power, one-tenth of 1 percent of the state’s total, which its owner, the Edwards Manufacturing Co., sells to Central Maine Power for the impressive rate of 11.9 cents per kilowatt-hour. That contract and the federal license allowing the dam to operate are due to expire soon, giving FERC an opportunity to review the usefulness of the dam.

One environmental tradeoff for any dam is obvious: it impedes anadromous fish from getting upstream to spawn. Striped bass, shad, Atlantic sturgeon, alewife and a half-dozen other species once made their way up river and could again if the dam is removed. Having a free-flowing river, at least an additional 18 miles of it, is of great benefit to the Kennebec River Basin, the FERC staff concluded. In addition, it should improve recreation and tourism in the area.

By giving up a small amount of electric power, Maine gains a significant environmental good in this case, but that hardly means that all dams are objectionable. There are environmental consequences with any type of power; given the proper placement and construction, dams are one of the cleaner energy sources. The Edwards Dam is an exception, and the FERC staff was correct to offer it as a precedent for dam removal.

Who knows, its removal may even inspire the city of Bangor to take another look at the remainder of the Bangor Dam, which was partly removed several years ago. Finishing the job would increase the aesthetic value of the Penobscot as well as improve fish habitat and recreational opportunities. It would be nice to see the job completed.

FERC has a chance today to help restore the Kennebec by recognizing that value of the fishery there outweighs the value of the dam. The commission should support its staff recommendation.