Scotts Flat Powerhouse

As the world seeks to tackle the growing threat of climate change, and California’s goal is to convert to 100 percent clean energy by 2045, the Nevada Irrigation District (NID) is doing its part. The District announced it will begin using 95 percent clean, renewable energy to power all its operations. The move became effective in June.

To accomplish this, NID has changed where it gets its power, switching from PG&E (which provides only about 33% renewable) to the clean, renewable hydropower the District generates at its Scotts Flat Powerhouse. In addition to the environmental benefits, the cost of energy will be stabilized, insulating NID customer’s from PG&E rate increases.

“NID is a leader among water agencies in the production of clean, renewable hydropower and, with this change, we become a leader in the use of that clean, renewable power,” stated Keane Sommers, Manager of Hydroelectric Operations. “This step is also further evidence that NID is acting on its sustainability policy that calls for NID to become more socially, environmentally, and economically sustainable.”

While most of the NID facilities in Nevada, Placer, and Yuba Counties including the main administrative building and the water treatment plants will be using 100% clean renewable power, some smaller facilities still need to be converted leaving NID just short of 100% overall.

NID views this transition to green energy as just the beginning. In the 1960’s the community invested in NIDs hydroelectric powerhouses and, in the future, NID looks forward to making this clean, renewable power available to other local users at better than PG&E rates.
NID is a leader among Northern California water agencies in the production of clean renewable hydroelectric energy. It operates seven hydroelectric plants and 12 miles of overhead power lines that deliver 83 Megawatts of clean, renewable energy to the power-grid. Every year the revenue from hydroelectric sales offsets water rates for the District’s 30,000 customers in Nevada, Placer and Yuba counties. We deliver water for clean energy.