TRR photo by Krista Gromalski Patrice Rouet secured son Davy's lifejacket as the two prepared for their nine-mile journey down the Lackawaxen River as volunteers for the flow survey portion of PPL's hydroelectric station relicensing process. (Click for larger image)

PPL seeks renewal of Wallenpaupack license

By KRISTA GROMALSKI

LACKAWAXEN TOWNSHIP - The old rule that water and electricity don't mix was broken last weekend as volunteers in canoes, kayaks and rafts hit the Lackawaxen River to assist the Pennsylvania Power and Light Company (PPL) with their $1.5-to-$2 million relicensing project for their hydroelectric station at Lake Wallenpaupack.

The initial license, issued by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), was valid for 50 years and will expire in 2004. The license PPL seeks could last from 30 to 50 years, according to Gary Petrewski, PPL's project manager for relicensing. "The project will be paid for by PPL stock holders," he said.

The group of more than 30 dedicated boaters was part of the survey portion of the Instream Flow comparison study on the river, which stems from the lake.

The volunteers spent a few hours last Friday and Saturday mornings floating a nine-mile section of the Lackawaxen from Threshman River Rides and Watercraft Access Facility to the Zane Grey Access, according to Bruce DiGennaro, senior planner for Kleinschmidt Associates, the private environmental and engineering consulting firm hired by PPL to conduct a number of the relicensing studies.