From The Aspen Times (Scott Condon) via the Vail Daily:
The town is studying the construction of a micro-hydro plant that would supply enough power to offset use of 30 average homes, according to Town Manager Bill Kane. The micro-hydro project could pro vide up to 40 kilowatts, he said. The town this spring will apply for a $350,000 grant from the state of Colorado, which has focused on clean energy proj ects under Gov. Bill Ritter’s leadership the past three years. The town might pursue the project even if it doesn’t receive state funds, Kane said. The town has a dedicat ed water fund that it would tap for the proj ect, so it wouldn’t require a new tax. Final design and cost estimates aren’t available yet. The concept would be to use the pipelines that deliver water from Lucksinger Springs, and possibly Basalt Springs, both of which are on Basalt Moun tain, downhill to the town’s water filtration plant. A hydroelectric turbine and genera tor, possibly two, would be added to the delivery lines, according to a prospectus. The power produced from the systems would be connected to the Holy Cross Energy grid.