The Low Impact Hydropower Institute (LIHI) has certified the School Street Project – owned by Brookfield Renewable Power subsidiary Erie Boulevard Hydropower LP– as low impact, recognizing the plant has avoided or reduced environmental impacts pursuant to LIHI criteria.

The 38MW hydroelectric project began operating in 1916, and is located on the Mohawk River at Cohoes Falls in Cohoes, New York. It consists of five hydropower turbine-generator sets.

In the LIHI certification application for the School Street project, Brookfield demonstrated LIHI’s eight environmentally rigorous criteria addressing river flows, water quality, fish passage and protection, watershed health, endangered species protection, cultural resources, recreation use and access, and whether or not the dam itself has been recommended for removal. The School Street project successfully completed LIHI’s application process, which includes a public comment period, review by an independent technical consultant or LIHI staff, consultations with state and federal natural resource agencies, and evaluation by the LIHI Governing Board, including leaders in the river conservation and renewable energy fields.

This new certification means that Brookfield now has the most LIHI-certified facilities in the US.