The US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is considering passing control of six hydroelectric power plants along the Missouri river to a central location after normal working hours.
USACE’s Omaha district operates six power plants on the Missouri river. The plants are located at Fort Peck dam in Montana; Garrison dam in North Dakota; Oahe dam in North Dakota and South Dakota; Big Bend dam in South Dakota; Fort Randall dam near the South Dakota and Nebraska border; and Gavins Point dam in South Dakota and Nebraska.
These plants are currently staffed on a 24-hour basis. A study team is looking at plants in other areas that are remotely operated. The study will be done at the USACE’s hydropower design center in Portland, Oregon. Officials hope to finish the study by the end of March 2004.