Greenidge Generation says it is installing the cylindrical wedge wire screens at the company’s water intake system in Dresden along Seneca Lake.
Accoridng to a news release, Greenige says it has entered the final stage and construction will be complete on-time and in accordance with state requirements.
The company published video of the work being done.
The installation of the wedge wire screens was approved by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) following years of detailed study, comprehensive sampling, a pilot study, development of a verification monitoring plan and more. Additionally, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has reviewed relevant components of the project and issued approval.
The company says it has met or exceeded all deadlines throughout the regulatory process. Final approvals for screen installation were granted on September 26th and October 7th.
The construction work is being completed by local union labor, including members of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 840, Dockbuilders and Timbermen Local 1556, Carpenters Western New York Local Union 276, International Union of Operating Engineers Local 158 & 150 and Millwrights Local 1163.
“We’ve said it for years: the screens are going in, we are making the investment and we simply need to go through all of the extensive State and Federal approval processes,” said Greenidge Generation President Dale Irwin. “Our opponents like to pretend you can stop by Home Depot and pick up some metal fencing and just throw it on the intake pipe. But anyone serious knows that isn’t the case. We have checked every single box required by State DEC and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, going through years of detailed study and testing, because this needs to be done right for the lake we all love. Water has been drawn from Seneca Lake into this facility for nearly 80 years, and now for the first time, thanks to a more than $6 million investment from Greenidge, wedge wire screen technology will be in place to add further protections for aquatic life.”
The company argues that despite intense opposition, it has made good on regulatory requests.
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