FERC Moves Forward on Seminoe Pumped-Water Project Amid Environmental Concerns
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has advanced the Seminoe pumped-water storage project in Wyoming, despite criticism over insufficient wildlife protections. The project's potential risks to fisheries and local ecosystems have raised alarms among environmental groups and local officials.
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The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has issued its environmental impact statement for the Seminoe pumped-water storage hydroelectric project in Carbon County, Wyoming, moving toward final approval. Critics, including Trout Unlimited and the Wyoming Wild Sheep Foundation, argue that the plan fails to adequately address risks to fisheries and wildlife, specifically citing a potential trout kill in the Miracle Mile due to rising water temperatures.
The project, proposed by rPlus Hydro, involves constructing a 13,400-acre-foot reservoir to store energy for hydroelectric generation, projected to save ratepayers $200 million annually. However, waivers allowing bypassing of seasonal construction restrictions threaten local wildlife, including the bighorn sheep herd.
Local opposition has been vocal, particularly from officials in Carbon and Natrona counties, who express concerns over the project's impact on drinking water and recreation. The FERC's apparent disregard for public input could set a precedent for future projects, raising significant environmental and regulatory implications.
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