6. URG - Hydroelectric Generation

During the Record Period, SCE operated and maintained 33 hydroelectric (hydro) generating plants including 33 dams, 43 stream diversions, and approximately 143 miles of tunnels, conduits, flumes and flow lines. These resources have an aggregate 1,175 MW of nameplate generating capacity. SCE has provided information on the characteristics of its hydro generation resources, organization of the Hydro Division, recorded hydro production, and operating results of its facilities.

In its testimony, DRA found that two hydro forced outages were unreasonable. The outages included Bishop 6 Unit 1, caused by disrepair of portions of turbine waterwheel buckets and Bishop 4 Unit 3, caused by failure of portions of turbine waterwheel buckets. SCE addressed both outages in its rebuttal testimony; and, in its opening brief, DRA did not recommend disallowances associated with either outage.

Based on the testimonies of SCE and DRA, we conclude that the SCE hydro facilities were operated reasonably during the Record Period. This includes actions taken with respect to the two forced outages described above.