The Sacramento Municipal Utility District's new gas-fired Cosumnes power project received another $20 million for its completion. The December 1 board approval follows its signing off on a $25 million increase on June 16. The latest supplement brings the total cost for the 1,000 MW plant to $435 million. The price increase was for work not originally included in the plant's construction or the gas pipeline work scope, according to SMUD. However, documents pertaining to the augmentation did not specify what the new work involved. A $1.2 million increase for the muni's hydro-relicensing environmental firm was also approved. It was in response to its review of the requisite environmental documents and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission?s information requests. The contract with Devine, Tarbell & Associates also allows for a two-year extension. The newly approved increase is in addition to one in 2003 for $4 million. SMUD's Upper American River hydro project was built more than 50 years ago. The muni applied to federal regulators to renew its license in July. Environmentalists are pushing to allow more water releases from the dams and asking the muni to increase recreational access. The muni is in settlement negotiations with nonprofits and state agencies. A new license is expected in 2007, according to SMUD.