Left to right; Hydro Operator John Stewart, Power Generation Technician Aiden McNerney, Hydro Operator Jake Trujillo, Power Generation Technician Josh Geertsma, Hydro Generation Foreman Cameron Shultz and Hydro Operator Apprentice Jason McDaniel (Kneeling).
Located on the Truckee River, the Truckee Meadows Water Authority’s Verdi Hydroelectric Facility operates nearly 365 days a year to power the surrounding region.
IBEW 1245 crews at the TMWA-operated facility are facing an increase of extreme weather events, including fires, occurring with greater frequency. Recently, crews grappled with the effects of upstream fires on Verdi.
“We had a recent fire that tripped us offline. Debris passes through the racks…and those racks come downstream and get stuck in the runner of the turbine, and we lose efficiency. When that happens, we have to come in and open up the turbine,” explained TMWA employee and IBEW 1245 member Cameron Schultz. “So the job today is going to be a complete runner inspection and cleaning of the runner inside the turbine.”
Losing efficiency is not an option for the facility, since it provides energy to power 1,500 homes in Northern Nevada annually.
“This particular plant is rated 2.4 megawatts. On a good day, we can come close to that, with a clean turbine and ideal river conditions,” Schultz stated, highlighting the vast amount of daily energy Verdi can produce.
IBEW Local 1245 members from Truckee Meadows Water District fix the water canal debris diverter at the Verdi Hydroelectric Plant
Schultz, a 17-year IBEW 1245 member, recognizes the union’s support for hydroelectric workers like himself.
“The union’s been great for the brotherhood…you go to these meetings, and a lot of people have input, it’s a really good brotherhood, I feel, that we have here at 1245.”
– Cole Gerstle, IBEW 1245 Communications Intern
photos by John Storey