markvangoozen

The LEAPS Project Team recently received the first Deficiency Notice and Request for Information from FERC. This notice is in response to the final license application. Deficiency Notices are part of the regulatory process that starts our dialogue with FERC by providing a list of the information and clarifications they would like addressed. FERC crafts this letter using their own analysis of the application, taking into account the comments submitted by stakeholders and agencies. The LEAPS team is pleased with the insightful requests on a variety of topics ranging from design and engineering to water quality, terrestrial resources and aesthetics. We are already hard at work meeting with resource agencies, government officials, and tribal representatives to initiate studies and answer information requests outlined in The Hydro Company’s Volume 14 Letter to FERC. We have been given 90 days to respond to the Deficiency Notice and Request for Information letter. A copy of their letter is available at the following link on our website: FERC Deficiency Notice and Request for Information

What Happens Next?
After the Additional Information Requests, FERC will require the following steps:

• Provide feedback on the Additional Study Requests document
• Issue Scoping Document 1 with a due date for Comments
• Hold a Public Scoping Meeting
• Issue Scoping document 2 (if necessary)
• Issue REA Notice soliciting comments, recommendations, terms and conditions and prescriptions and provide a due date
• Issue updated Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for comments by a due date
• Issue a final Environmental Impact Study (If necessary)

The dates for these milestones are not yet available. We will publicize dates to this timeline, noting opportunities for public input, as soon as that information becomes available.

Save the Date…
In addition to FERC’s requirements, The Hydro Company will be hosting educational opportunities and workshops. As new studies are conducted, these workshops will provide community members the opportunity to learn about our research from the experts themselves. Newsletter subscribers will receive invitations via email in advance of those events.

I would like to thank everyone who contributed to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)’s comment period for our Final License Application (FLA) for LEAPS. We value your participation in the FERC process.

There were a total of XX letters submitted to FERC and posted under Docket Number P-14227 on FERC’s website during the 60-day comment period, including XX from individuals (form letter or otherwise) and 12 submissions from agencies, businesses, local governments, and the Pechanga Tribe.  We read every submission, grouping and quantifying them to identify common concerns and study requests.   

The issues that have been raised included: outdated studies or insufficient information; environmental and aesthetic impacts; effects on Lake Elsinore water levels and quality; protection of aquifers; effect on property value; risk of wildfires; health issues and transmission lines; seismic risk and noise, impacts on recreation; and mistrust of Nevada Hydro

Respondents suggested many studies, but the most commonly requested studies were in the following areas:

[this is the same list as in the previous paragraph]-Environmental Impact

• Health Impact
• Economic Impact
• Traffic
• Feasibility
• Transmission placement
• Cost
• Project need

FERC is reviewing and evaluating your inputs as well and will use them to define the scope of work required for the LEAPS application.  We expect FERC will issue a scoping document in early January, which will define our obligations needed to comply with the FLA process.

As we satisfy the requirements and study requests, we will make this information available to you.   Further, we will hold the first of a series of informational workshops. My team and I are absolutely committed to meeting with you to discuss our project and your concerns.  We know you have questions, and we want to answer them clearly, honestly, and without getting too technical.  That said, the LEAPS project is backed by science, and the FERC process will direct the additional studies and research we need to do to ensure it can proceed in a way that protects the environment, respects or stakeholders, and benefits Lake Elsinore and the local economy. 

It is our goal to continue this dialogue and keep you all informed throughout our FERC process via email newsletters and our website. We invite any additional questions or concerns via email. Please direct inquiries to info@leapshydro.com.

Sincerely,

Rexford Wait

Recent News
You may have heard that the Nevada Hydro Company has re-activated the Lake Elsinore Advanced Pump Storage (LEAPS) Project and has submitted a Final License Application to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).

As you may know, we have been working to develop a pumped storage generation project for about 15 years. The proposed LEAPS project can play a key role in meeting California’s renewable energy targets. It will act as both an electricity generator during peak demand and an energy storage facility that can provide instant electricity when required. This is crucial, as both wind and solar generation are variable and need reliable back-up when the wind does not blow or the sun does not shine. It will also provide almost 600 well-paying construction jobs and local economic benefits, and help in wildfire suppression without unduly impacting the lives of local residents.

Going forward, we will be meeting with interested parties, municipal and state governments, Indian Tribes, and agencies to discuss the project and answer your questions. We will also be holding a well-advertised open house for residents. We look forward to talking with you, hearing your concerns, and listening to your suggestions.

Public Notice
Nevada Hydro Company, Inc. (Nevada Hydro) has re-activated the proposed 500 megawatt Lake Elsinore Advanced Pump Storage (LEAPS) Project. LEAPS can play a key role in meeting California’s renewable energy targets and will act as both an electricity generator during peak demand and an energy storage facility that can provide instant electricity when required. This is crucial, as both wind and solar generation are variable and need reliable back-up when the wind does not blow or the sun does not shine. This project will also provide almost 600 well-paying construction and operation jobs and local economic benefits without unduly impacting the lives of local residents.

On October 2, 2017, Nevada Hydro filed with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) a Final License Application (Application) for an original license for the Lake Elsinore Advanced Pumped Storage Project (FERC Project No. 14227-003). The project is located on Lake Elsinore and San Juan Creek, near the town of Lake Elsinore, in Orange, Riverside, and San Diego Counties. The project would occupy approximately 845 acres of federal land.

The proposed project would consist of the following: (1) a new upper reservoir (Decker Canyon) formed by a 240-foot high dam with a gross storage volume of 7,500 acre feet and a normal surface elevation of 2,830 feet above mean sea level (msl); (2) an underground powerhouse with two reversible pump-turbine units with a total installed capacity of 500 megawatts; (3) the existing Lake Elsinore, which will be used as a lower reservoir; (4) approximately 32 miles of 500 kV transmission lines that will connect the project to an existing transmission line owned by Southern California Edison Company located north of the proposed project and to an existing San Diego Gas & Electric Company transmission line located to the south; and (5) appurtenant facilities.

The Application describes the proposed project, its environmental setting, and proposed operations. Nevada Hydro requested that FERC process the Application under Part 4 of its regulations. Pursuant to 18 C.F.R. § 4.32(b)(7), if any resource agency, Indian tribe, or person believes that an additional scientific study should be conducted in order to form an adequate factual basis for a complete analysis of the Application on its merits, the resource agency, Indian tribe, or person must file a request for the study with FERC not later than 60 days after the Application is filed, and serve a copy of the request on Nevada Hydro. FERC will publish subsequent notices soliciting public participation if the Application is found acceptable for filing.

A digital copy of the Application is available for public inspection and reproduction at Lake Elsinore Branch Library, 600 W. Graham Ave., Lake Elsinore, CA 92530; San Juan Capistrano Library, 31495 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675; and Oceanside Public Library, 330 N. Coast Hwy, Oceanside, CA 92054. The Application also can be viewed online at www.nevadahydro.com.

Nevada Hydro’s full address is: 2416 Cades Way, Vista, CA 92081. Questions about the Application can be directed to Mr. Rexford Wait, (760) 599-1813 or rex@leapshydro.com.

Temescal Valley Community Meeting
A big thank you to everyone who came out and listened to our presentation at the Temescal Valley Municipal Advisory Council. We fielded insightful comments and questions from attendees and I think we all came away with a better understanding. We sincerely appreciate the interest in our project and invite any questions via our website: www.nevadahydro.com.