Over the past several years, Bedford Town Council has committed to spending millions of dollars on Bedford’s hydroelectric plant, Snowden, which is located on the James River in Big Island and has been in operation since 1911.
Council members agree the plant is environmentally friendly and a good source of energy for the town, and so they have committed more money to its upkeep for the next few fiscal year budgets. Prior to 2016, enough funding was allocated to the plant to keep it operational, and only small amounts were spent on capital improvements.
Once council decided to extend the life of the plant, capital spending grew to more than $1 million. Annual capital spending will stay in the $1 million range for the next few years.
