BOULDER - The 100-year-old Boulder Canyon Hydroelectric Project will get up to $1.18 million to replace two old turbines for higher efficiency and output.

The funds, provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, are part of $30.6 million in funding announced by the U.S. Department of Energy to modernize hydropower infrastructure by increasing efficiency at existing facilities and reducing their environmental impact.

"This investment is a win-win for the Boulder community - it will create jobs and help Boulder finish a project they've been working on for years," said Sen. Mark Udall, D-Colo. "With the upgrades made possible through this funding, Boulder will also add new life to an existing source of clean power."

"This is great news for the Boulder community, which has worked for years to find funding for this much-needed project," said Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Colo. "This funding will help to generate more power for local communities without increasing emissions or burdening our grid. It's a commonsense investment in a renewable energy source that will help create jobs, improve our environment and boost our economy."

The city of Boulder will use the funds to replace two older turbines with a single, high-efficiency unit. The new turbine would operate at a wider range of flows and higher efficiency ranges, resulting in a 30 percent increase in annual power generation. Upgrades to wiring and removal of asbestos would reduce environmental hazards and improve safety.  

The Boulder project is one of seven hydropower projects selected for these funds by the Energy Department.