Eagle Creek Renewable Energy, LLC is to bring the Reusens hydroelectric facility on the James River near Lynchburg, Virginia, back into operation after acquiring the facility from Appalachian Power, a utility subsidiary of American Electric Power.

Eagle Creek Renewable Energy, LLC is to bring the Reusens hydroelectric facility on the James River near Lynchburg, Virginia, back into operation after acquiring the facility from Appalachian Power, a utility subsidiary of American Electric Power.

The Reusens site was first developed in the mid-1830s as part of an early canal and lock system on the James River. The project had been generating electricity since 1903. American Gas & Electric Co – predecessor to American Electric Power – rebuilt the plant in the late 1920s. It now includes five generating units that have a total rated capacity of 12.5MW – although generation ceased in 2011.

Eagle Creek indicated that several new jobs would be created as the facility is returned to operation providing approximately 40,000 MWH of clean, renewable hydroelectric generation.

Appalachian had explored the sale of Reusens for several years before reaching an agreement with Eagle Creek. Both companies filed requests and received approval for the sale from the appropriate state and federal regulatory authorities.