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Company Buys Otter Rapids Dam From WPS

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Wisconsin Public Service has entered into negotiations to sell the Otter Rapids dam to Renewable World Energies.

The dam forms much of what is known at the Eagle River chain of lakes.

WPS spokesperson Kerry Spees says the sale is pending federal approval, but says the new owner isn't going to change the hydroelectric operation...

"...the key thing is nothing will change for the community of Eagle River and the surrounding area in terms of the water situation and the Chain of Lakes. We knew that's what everyone would be most concerned about..."

Renewable World Energies operates owns and operates 22 hydroelectric facilities in the Upper Midwest and is based in Neshkoro, Wisconsin.

Spees says WPS has been analyzing the power production at Otter Rapids and says it doesn't fit the utilities future...?

"....it's a small dam, but critical to the recreational opportunities over at Eagle River. We've had to make investments and it's out of the way for us to service. So we studied some options as to what we have to do with it...."

Spees says they determined that selling it to another electric producer would be the best option.

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