The Department of Water and Power will receive an $8 million federal grant to strengthen hydroelectric infrastructure, improve grid resilience and bolster clean energy, Mayor Karen Bass’ office announced Tuesday.
The funding comes from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Grid Deployment Office as part of its Maintain and Enhancing Hydroelectricity Incentive program. It’s providing a total of $430 million to 247 hydroelectric projects in the nation.
Of the $8 million, about $3 million will support the department’s Power Plant 2 Tailings Stability and Slope Restoration project and $5 million will go toward the Elderberry Dam Tailrace Sediment Removal project at the Castaic Power Plant.
LADWP is expected to use the funding at the two power plants to improve and ensure the operation of three of its water turbine generators — which have been in service for almost 100 years.
“These projects underscore our continued commitment to innovative solutions that benefit the environment, but most importantly the communities we serve,” Janisse Quinoñes, CEO and chief engineer of DWP, said in a statement. “With the financial support from our federal partners, we are more empowered than ever to fulfill our mission of delivering clean, reliable energy to all our customers and creating a more resilient energy landscape for generations to come.”
The federal program is aimed at streamlining hydroelectric projects and promoting the use of clean power.
“Right now we are working to strengthen our grid and we must continue to advance this important work,” Bass said in a statement. “I want to thank the Biden-Harris Administration for their continued support in helping us not only improve our infrastructure but also build a greener Los Angeles.”