Your opinion valued on hydro project

A classified legal ad carried this week by The Journal affords the public the opportunity to have a say in whether a small hydro-electric project near Seneca should receive a new, 30-year license from the federal government. The project is the Coneross Hydroelectric on SC 59 just south of the city at the Coneross Creek. In recent years, a lightning strike and flooding issues have caused problems at the operation, but the owners (a Massachusetts-based company) are involved in a multi-year license application with FERC—the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. FERC spokeswoman Celeste Miller says, “We are soliciting comments and suggestions on the preliminary list of issues and alternatives to be addressed in the Environmental Assessment….” The comment deadline is now April 9.