OXBOW, Oregon – Security fencing currently being installed near Idaho Power’s Oxbow Power Plant will eliminate public access to the area near the spillway and the surge tanks above the powerhouse.
The fencing is part of a series of upgrades to improve safety and security at the hydroelectric facility. Vehicle and pedestrian access across the dam will be permanently restricted to Idaho Power employees or authorized contractors. Contractors are currently on-site performing spillway improvements, and the security fences are being installed simultaneously.
“Oxbow is an important facility for Idaho Power, and we have a responsibility to protect it, not only for our employees there but for all of our customers who rely on the safe, reliable energy it provides,” said Chris Davidson, Manager of Physical Security for Idaho Power.
The need for additional security emerged from the company’s regular evaluation of its facilities to ensure they are in compliance with federal guidelines as well as the company’s own risk assessments.
Oxbow is the second of three dams that make up the Hells Canyon Complex. It’s located 13 miles downstream of Brownlee Dam on the Snake River. Completed in 1961, Oxbow can generate up to 190 megawatts of electricity, enough to power more than 145,000 average homes.
About Idaho Power
Idaho Power, headquartered in vibrant and fast-growing Boise, Idaho, has been a locally operated energy company since 1916. Today, it serves a 24,000-square-mile area in Idaho and Oregon. The company has a long history of safely providing reliable, affordable, clean energy. With 17 low-cost hydroelectric projects at the core of its diverse energy mix, Idaho Power’s residential, business, and agricultural customers pay among the nation’s lowest prices for electricity. Its 2,100 employees proudly serve more than 650,000 customers with a culture of safety first, integrity always, and respect for all.
IDACORP Inc. (NYSE: IDA), Idaho Power’s independent publicly traded parent company, is also headquartered in Boise, Idaho. To learn more, visit idahopower.com or idacorpinc.com
Contact:
Brad Bowlin
Communications Specialist
208-388-2803
bbowlin@idahopower.com