North America

U.S. seeks appraiser for purchase of historic 12-MW Borel hydro project

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers seeks bids from certified appraisers to prepare an appraisal for the proposed purchase of the historic 12-MW Borel hydroelectric project from Southern California Edison.
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U.S. seeks appraiser for purchase of historic 12-MW Borel hydro project

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers seeks bids from certified appraisers to prepare an appraisal for the proposed purchase of the historic 12-MW Borel hydroelectric project from Southern California Edison. Bids are due May 12.

The Corps’ Sacramento District said the appraisal would be performed “in connection with the federal acquisition of the Borel Hydroelectric Power Plant including ancillary improvements that would include the real property, land and improvements, along with the going concern; approximately 141,296 acres of submerged land owned by Southern California Edison; and approximately 64,343 acres of non-submerged land owned by SCE located at Lake Isabella, Kern County, California.” The project also would include water rights on the Kern River.

“The plant has been vacant for the last two years, but prior to that it was fully operational by SCE as a hydroelectric power plant,” the Corps said.

Completed in 1904 to power Los Angeles’ Red Electric Streetcar system, Borel was inducted into the Hydro Hall of Fame by Hydro Review magazine in 2011.

The Corps noted a canal carrying water from Lake Isabella to the project has been dry due to the drought in California. The Corps controls water releases to Borel, a FERC-licensed project (No. 382), via the Corps’ nearby Isabella Dam. The Borel canal is slated for realignment as part of remedial actions to prevent possible failure of Isabella Dam during earthquakes.

The Corps said it seeks the property appraised both as vacant or “as is,” and in the “hypothetical condition” of being operational by SCE. It also seeks appraisal of decommissioning costs for the hydro plant and canal.

A solicitation notice may be obtained from the Federal Business Opportunities Internet site, www.fbo.gov, by entering Solicitation No. W9123814T0004 in the “Keyword/Solicitation #” box.

Bids are due May 12. For information, contact Tilden L. Brooks Jr., Contract Specialist, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Sacramento District, 1325 J St., Sacramento, CA 95814; (1) 916-557-7929; E-mail: [email protected].