PHOENIX — Discussions about drought typically involve how to respond to water scarcity. But there may be another concern for the Southwest: higher electricity bills.
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Less water flowing through the Colorado River is expected to reduce hydropower generation at the Hoover Dam. Managers there say they may need to shut off 12 of 17 turbines by fall.
About 20% of Hoover’s generation goes to Arizona, including reservations. California and Nevada also rely on the dam.
Arizona Water Director Tom Buschatzke is Chief Negotiator for Colorado River Resources. During an interview last month, Buschatzke told 12News that water levels at Lake Mead may drop another 20 feet by the end of the year.
“I think you lose about 80% of hydro-generation when you get to that elevation at that point at Lake Mead,” Buschatzke said.
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Where will utilities in the southwest get that lost power?
“You’ve got to go on the grid to find it,” Buschatzke said.
Asked if that means the cost for power will go up, Buschatzke said he hesitates to speculate too much.
“You have to assume they (utilities) are going on the grid, and hydropower is one of the cheaper sources of power, so you can expect that impact to occur,” Buschatzke said.
Utilities may pass on costs or savings of purchased power and fuel straight to consumers through adjustable prices on bills.
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