Holy Toledo!
SRA amends water level contract
By JIMMY GALVAN Managing Editor

JERRY CLARK, executive director for the Sabine River Authority- Texas, left, looks on while SRA-LA board member Larry Kelly signs an agreement to keep the water level on Toledo Bend at 168 feet during the season. Newsboy photo/Jimmy Galvan

Saying it will "improve the quality of life on Toledo Bend" the Sabine River Authority-TX and LA agreed to amend the power sales agreement to stop hydroelectric production if the lake level drops too low.

A standing-room only crowd cheered the agreement Friday, May 25 at the Texas side's Toledo Bend office.

"Everybody came to the table and it was an effort that was very challenging," said Jim Pratt, executive director for SRA-LA. "The good news is that we are there. Everybody was a champion in getting this done and this will improve the quality of life for all who live on Toledo Bend."

Pratt said one hurdle that had to be overcome was that the power companies sought an extension to the contract, which expires in 2018.

The river authorities serving the two states have a contract with Entergy Gulf States Inc., which serves customers in Texas and Louisiana, and with Cleco Corp., an energy services company serving central Louisiana.

Jerry Clark, executive director for the SRA-TX, said an economic stabilization fund is built into the program, which acts as a drought contingency fund by providing money to purchase power.

The river authorities generate power during the months of May through September, known as prime generating months and the time of peak demand for power.

For Jana Lehman, who operates a business on Toledo Bend, the announcement is a blessing.

"For the past two years, the businesses on Toledo Bend have been suffering from the drought and pulling the lake level down," said Lehman, who is also a co-founder of the Bi-State Alliance. "It will make our homes go up in value and people will now stop selling their homes.

"We have lost so many fishing tournaments because of this," Lehman said. "And that will put a damper on your economy."

The agreement contractually changes the level to which the lake may drop to provide electricity from 162 feet to 168 feet. This is especially important during times of drought.

To become effective, state and Federal Energy Regulatory Commission still have to concur with the contract amendment. This review process could take up to 60 days. Pratt said a waiver is being asked by the SRA on the review process.