Lawrence will not be confused with Venice, San Antonio, or Amsterdam, but there is one thing we have in common with these world class cities: canals. In fact, our canals are the reason why Lawrence came into existence over 150 years ago. Canals were the engine, owned and built by the Essex Company, a company purchased by Enel Corporation that brought mill power, jobs, and a workforce to the Merrimack Valley. Unfortunately, the canals are in disrepair and have become underutilized over the years. They are dormant, aging, beacons to liability suits, and a reminder of the city’s industrial past. However, they need not be eyesores in a city desperate to remove various stigmas and urban decay.
Enel holds a key to change and progress. They own the water rights and hydroelectric licenses at the canals. So far their track record of living up to their current license conditions has added to the city’s burdens. They have failed to construct, maintain, and operate recreational facilities near the canals. They have failed to provide public access to the project’s area and waters. They have failed to prevent soil erosion near the canals. They have failed to take measures to prevent water pollution. They have failed to regularly clear the waste/obstructions in the canals. They have failed to ensure the aesthetic integrity and state of good repair of the canal infrastructure. They have failed to provide sufficient flow of water.
The Federal Energy Regulation Commission (FERC) is the license issuing authority and has the ability to either compel Enel to comply with its obligations or refuse to grant a license renewal when the current license expires in 2028. While the city has little leverage to make Enel comply with their hydroelectric license conditions, it is a party to a recently filed complaint against Enel to make the required improvements.
This does not need to be so. I urge Enel to work with the city and its residents to make the required changes. Through its association with our past, it is a legacy company in Lawrence. Meeting its license obligations will do wonders for its own legacy and improve the city’s future.
Marc Laplante
Lawrence City Council
