CONTENTIOUS LINES: The route of the 500-kV transmission lines, shown here in purple, would run northwest in the mountains above Lake Elsinore and then head north, crossing Temescal Valley and the I-15 to Lee Lake and connect to SCE’s Valley-Serrano lines

(Published Aug. 8, 2022)

NEVADA HYDRO SAYS IT’S REROUTING LEAPS LINES

Nevada Hydro, responding to public comments and intervention requests recently submitted to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, has announced changes are being made to its controversial Lake Elsinore Advanced Pump Storage project.

In correspondence dated July 1, Nevada Hydro told FERC that the routes and configurations of the transmission lines would be changing based on the results of a study by GridBright Inc.

Nevada Hydro said it will propose new primary transmission lines for the project that “will avoid the Cleveland National Forest and the Temescal Valley by interconnecting via urban routes to existing high voltage transmission lines.”

Nevada Hydro indicated that moving the current northern and southern routes easterly to urban routings also will “reroute the lines to where underground installation is more practical.”

Additionally, to facilitate the undergrounding, Nevada Hydro said it will reduce the capacity of both lines from 500-kV to 230-kV.

The public skepticism following the announcement prompted an email to Nevada Hydro from the We Are Temescal Valley citizen group asking the location of the alternative routes and when that information would be released to the public.

An email response was received from Paul Anderson, LEAPS Director of Sustainability.

“The GridBright Study involved a high-level look at reconfiguring the project, including transmission line sizing and routing. They investigated general route options, capital costs and a number of other items related to commercial and reliability matters,” Anderson wrote.

He continued, “Detailed routing will be based on consultation with the city of Lake Elsinore, other potentially affected stakeholders and input from our experts and construction contractors.”

He said the routing details would be provided in the company’s license application when it refiles, but added, “the timing will be dependent on our consultation with these stakeholders as well as our work with the Forest Service and the Pechanga Band.” 

In a second email, Anderson elaborated on the plans to underground the lines.

“Our reason for moving away from 500-kV transmission to a 230-kV line was to make underground installation more practical. There is definitely a push to place transmission lines underground, especially in California. We think associated technologies will improve and therefore costs will further reduce,” he related.

He said he hopes FERC will issue the preliminary permit soon, but Nevada Hydro has no idea when that will happen.

Read Nevada Hydro’s July 1 response:
https://wearetv.org/blog/docs/nhcresponse.pdf

In the meantime, FERC received communication July 15 from the Pechanga Band of Indians seeking to amend its motion to intervene and asked FERC to dismiss Nevada Hydro’s application for a preliminary permit.
https://www.wearetv.org/blog/docs/pechangamotion.pdf

And, on July 29, Nevada Hydro responded with reasons why FERC should dismiss the communication from the Pechanga Band.
https://www.wearetv.org/blog/docs/nhpechanga.pdf

(Published June 17, 2022)

DECISION ON LEAPS EXPECTED SOON

With the 60-day comment period now over, it is expected the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission will soon decide on whether to issue a preliminary permit to the Nevada Hydro Company Inc. to proceed with its controversial Lake Elsinore Advanced Pump Storage project.

When FERC dismissed the license application and denied a rehearing request, it appeared LEAPS was dead. But Nevada Hydro then filed an application for a preliminary permit for LEAPS under a new docket number — P-15261-000.

FERC accepted the application in April and set the period for public comments and motions to intervene. Having intervention status gives citizens, organizations, and public agencies the ability to legally challenge FERC’s final decision on the project. By the June 6 deadline, FERC received 11 intervention motions and about 70 comments – all opposing the project.

(Published May 5, 2022)

JUNE 6 DEADLINE TO FILE COMMENTS, INTERVENTION

FERC issues preliminary permit to Nevada Hydro

When the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), in December dismissed a license application filed by Nevada Hydro Company Inc., and in February denied a rehearing request by the hydropower company, it appeared the Lake Elsinore Advanced Pump Storage (LEAPS), project was dead.

But on Feb. 8, the day after the rehearing request was denied, Nevada Hydro filed an application for a preliminary permit for the LEAPS project under new docket number P-15261-000.

FERC announced April 8 the permit application was accepted and set a 60-day period for the public to submit comments and for interested parties/agencies to solicit motions to intervene. The deadline for comments and motions is June 6. Having intervention status gives citizens, organizations, and public agencies the ability to challenge in court FERC’s final decision on the project.

FERC had dismissed the license application based on allegations made by the U.S. Forest Service that Nevada Hydro wasn’t providing the necessary information to consider issuing a Special Use Authorization for the project, which was delaying the Environmental Impact Statement.

In its filing for the preliminary permit, Nevada Hydro reasoned because FERC had dismissed its application for a license without prejudice, the company could refile after it provided the Forest Service with the requested information.

Nevada Hydro told FERC in February that it was working with the Forest Service on obtaining the information and once it had satisfied the agency’s needs, would “promptly” refile the license application.

Nevada Hydro said it expected to complete the process within the next few months and once the license application is refiled, it would withdraw its application for a preliminary permit. Nevada Hydro said it had filed the preliminary permit application to keep others from filing applications for the LEAPS site.

In announcing the acceptance of the preliminary permit application, FERC noted, “The sole purpose of a preliminary permit, if issued, is to grant the permit holder priority to file a license application during the permit term. A preliminary permit does not authorize the permit holder to perform any land-disturbing activities or otherwise enter upon lands or waters owned by others without the owners’ express permission.”

Temescal Valley residents opposing LEAPS are concerned about the 500-kV transmission lines. The lines would run northwest from a starting point above Lake Elsinore in the Santa Ana Mountains then head north, running between Sycamore Creek and Glen Eden. The lines would cross De Palma Road and the I-15 just south of the Vons shopping center to connect to Edison’s Valley-Serrano lines that run across the Temescal Mountains above Lee Lake.

Since the Holy Fire, many residents worry about wildfires started by downed transmission lines and how they impede the ability of firefighters to use planes and helicopters to make chemical and water drops. Additionally, the LEAPS lines would be next to Lee Lake that was used as a water source for helicopters during the Holy Fire.

While individuals are submitting comments to FERC, as of this writing, none have been Temescal Valley residents. We Are Temescal Valley and Sycamore Creek Community Association have filed for intervention status and Glen Eden Corporation is expected to file.

Read Feb. 8 Preliminary Permit Request
Read April 8 Preliminary Permit Acceptance
Read Sycamore Creek Notice to Intervene

HOW TO SUBMIT A COMMENT

Comments can be submitted to FERC via its eComment page on the website:
https://ferconline.ferc.gov/QuickComment.aspx 

• Fill out necessary contact information
• An email will be sent to the submitted email address and follow the provided link
• Once in the provided eComment page, enter Docket number P-15261 and select “Search”
• Select the small blue cross to tag your comment to the Docket
• It’s best to prewrite your comments in a Word doc and then copy and paste in the field provided. Quick comments are limited to 6,000 characters. You must include your name and contact information at the end of your comments

Comments also can be snail-mailed to:
The Honorable Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
888 First Street NE
Washington, DC 20426     

DEADLINE IS JUNE 6

We Are Temescal Valley files intervention notice
in LEAPS proceedings

The We Are Temescal Valley citizens’ group filed this Notice to Intervene with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on May 2. It states the group’s opposition to the proposed hydroelectric LEAPS project in Lake Elsinore.

I.  STATEMENT OF INTEREST AND GROUNDS FOR MOTION TO INTERVENE
Temescal Valley is the unincorporated Riverside County area located between the cities of Corona and Lake Elsinore to the north and south, and is a narrow valley bordered by the Santa Mountains on the west and the Temescal Mountains on the east. More than 26,000 people reside in the 19.3-square mile community that has 21 identifiable and distinct neighborhoods. We Are Temescal Valley is a grass-roots citizens’ organization, founded in 2011 to provide information to residents regarding issues of public safety, development, education, business, and other items of public interest. The group maintains a website, publishes a monthly newsletter, and has a social media page with more than 10,000 members. Our concerns align with those of the US Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service, including the LEAPS project’s potential negative impact to public safety, fire risk, heritage resources, endangered species, and land use objectives and economic development.

II.  COMMENTS

A. The project will increase the risk to public safety.
As outlined in the Riverside County General Plan / Temescal Canyon Area Plan, the majority of Temescal Valley is within a high-risk Fire Hazard Severity Zone. Its proximity to the Cleveland National Forest, with housing developments constructed in the foothills of the Santa Ana Mountains, gives rise to the increased fire risk. The August 2018 Holy fire, that destroyed 23,025 acres of wildlands, caused the evacuation of several thousand Temescal Valley residents and burned in the area where the LEAPS project would place the northern 500-kV transmission lines and towers between the communities of Glen Eden and Sycamore Creek. The Holy fire utilized aerial firefighting support of helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft to prevent the blaze from consuming area homes and businesses. The transmission lines and towers would have limited such efforts. Additionally, helicopters used the community’s Lee Lake as a water source. The proposed path of the LEAPS transmission lines across Temescal Valley will place towers adjacent to Lee Lake, limiting aerial access to the lake’s water. Floods and debris flows followed the Holy fire, causing additional evacuations. Several mountain canyons carry natural water runoff into Temescal Valley neighborhoods, and with the heavy rainfall season that followed the fire, the drainage infrastructure was unable to channel the water flow. The Glen Eden neighborhood, situated at the base of Indian Canyon, sustained severe damage. The proposed path of the transmission lines will necessitate disturbance to the topography and natural plant life growing in the Indian Canyon area, causing further risk of increased flooding and debris flows to Glen Eden and adjacent neighborhoods. Temescal Valley sits on the Elsinore Fault which seismologists say can produce a 7.2–7.5 magnitude earthquake. The location of the 1910 Elsinore 6.0 quake is estimated to be slightly south of the intersection of Temescal Canyon Road and Indian Truck Trail which places it in the path of the proposed transmission lines and towers adjacent to Lee Lake. Also, the project’s 500-kV lines would span the I-15 freeway, one of only two north/south routes in Temescal Valley. If an earthquake downed the lines, a disaster could occur because Temescal Valley evacuation routes are a concern. A study, released in August 2019, by San Francisco-based traffic analytics company StreetLight Data, identified 100 communities across the country with populations under 40,000 that have the most limited means of escaping disasters such as wildfires and earthquakes. It found that 14 of those communities were in California. Only one was in Riverside County – it was Temescal Valley. A recent update to the study looked at 30,000 towns across the U.S., narrowed the number down to 675 based on the number of exits in each community, and Temescal Valley placed 76^th nationally in lacking sufficient evacuation routes.

B.  The project will damage heritage, cultural and environmental resources.
The Temescal Valley area for centuries was populated by Luiseño and Juaneño Native American tribes, drawn to the area by the natural hot springs that flow here. There are numerous historical artifacts, evidence of ancient villages and human remains that have been found throughout Temescal Valley, including the area surrounding Lee Lake. The Historic Properties Management Plan must address these issues. While Lake Elsinore appears to be the primary concern of the Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians, we do not want the importance of the Lee Lake area overlooked. Grading for transmission tower pads and construction of a proposed switchyard adjacent to the lake could cause the loss of invaluable and precious resources. Additionally, much of the path of the LEAPS transmission lines and towers through Temescal Valley falls within the Western Riverside County Regional Conservation Authority’s Multiple Habitat Species Conservation Plan. The plan protects 146 native species of plants, birds, and animals, and preserves a half-million acres of their habitats.

Construction activities on tower pads and the Lee Lake Switchyard will lead to temporary and permanent loss of native vegetation and could threaten protected animal and bird species.

C. The project will hinder the economic development of Temescal Valley.
As an unincorporated Riverside County area, it is the desire of Temescal Valley community leaders to become a self-governing incorporated city. To do so, we must increase the community’s assessed valuation and sales-tax base to provide sufficient revenues to support incorporation. The proposed route of the transmission lines and towers, and the location of the Lee Lake Switchyard are planned in an area recently zoned by the county for two commercial/retail complexes and a 258-unit apartment complex to facilitate the state’s mandated Regional Housing Needs Assessment for affordable housing. The approval of the LEAPS project would jeopardize these developments.

D. The project must have an Environmental Impact Statement with full scoping.
Since the creation of an outdated EIS for this project 15 years ago, much proposed development has been approved in the area directly in the path of the transmission lines and where the Lee Lake Switchyard is to be constructed. These include 196 acres of residential development and 73 acres of commercial/retail development. A new EIS was being created for LEAPS P-14227-003 at the time the project was dismissed by FERC. It is imperative that work progresses on the document and that the process allows full public scoping. The owners of that acreage have a right to be heard.

(Published February 2022)

LEAPS IS DOWN, BUT DON’T COUNT IT OUT

FERC dismisses application for license; preliminary permit now sought by Nevada Hydro

When this website last reported on The Nevada Hydro Company’s Lake Elsinore Advanced Pump Storage (LEAPS) project, federal agencies were beginning work on the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). Many new developments have occurred since then.

NOV. 15:  The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) was notified by the U.S. Forest Service and told the agency could go no further in its talks with Nevada Hydro to complete the studies FERC requested in April 2021.

This was after FERC several times had ordered both parties to resolve their differences and move on with the studies needed for the EIS.

According to the Forest Service, Nevada Hydro wanted a license decision on its LEAPS project prior to continuing with the studies and the environmental process. The Forest Service said it was unable to consider issuing a Special Use Authorization to Nevada Hydro without the studies being completed.

DEC. 8:  FERC received communication from the State Water Resources Control Board accusing Nevada Hydro of using delay tactics to undermine the board’s compliance with legal and environmental requirements for the LEAPS project.

DEC. 9:  FERC sent communication to Nevada Hydro stating its license application for LEAPS had been dismissed “without prejudice” based on the Forest Service’s allegation the company wasn’t providing the necessary information to consider issuing a Special Use Authorization for the project. Nevada Hydro was told it had 30 days to request a rehearing.

Read the Dec. 9 dismissal notice here:.
https://www.wearetv.org/blog/docs/dismiss.PDF

DEC. 10:  Nevada Hydro quickly responded submitting an application for a preliminary permit.

DEC. 13:   FERC responded, denying the application because, “a preliminary permit conflicts with the license application for the same project.”

JAN. 7:   Nevada Hydro asked FERC to grant a rehearing on the dismissal and reinstate the license application or approve a temporary stay on the dismissal until July 1 to give the company time to complete the Forest Service studies.

Nevada Hydro related if its license application wasn’t dismissed without advance warning, the company would have let the Commission know of its change of circumstances – it was in receivership.

The plaintiff in the receivership is Daytona Power Corp., described as a “newly-formed” renewable energy company in Carson City, Nev., and owned by Grafton Asset Management.

It was Grafton, an energy sector investment management company based in Canada, that Nevada Hydro, in 2017, told FERC would assist with the funding for LEAPS.

Nevada Hydro said it risked irreparable harm if FERC denied a rehearing and did not stay dismissal of the license application. The company explained it did not own the property upon which LEAPS would be built and its most “substantial asset” to serve as collateral for investors was the license application.

Nevada Hydro told FERC the only way to protect its more than $30 million investment in the project was to keep the license application in place for a reasonable length of time while it worked to satisfy the Forest Service’s study needs. Nevada Hydro emphasized that the company’s new management was committed to addressing what the Forest Service needed to advance the license application.

With the Dec. 9 dismissal, Nevada Hydro was told it could plead its case if it thought an error was made in the final decision, but the alleged error must be stated in the request for the rehearing.

Nevada Hydro acknowledged no error had been made to warrant a rehearing but, instead, outlined the financial impact of the court-ordered receivership and the loss of its most important asset – the license application.

Read the Jan. 7 rehearing request here:
https://wearetv.org/blog/docs/rehearing.pdf

JAN. 24:  The city of Lake Elsinore and the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians both filed briefs with FERC itemizing reasons why the rehearing request should be denied. The city provided court documents from the receivership with representatives from both old and new management accusing each other of mismanagement of Nevada Hydro.

FEB. 7:   FERC sent Nevada Hydro notification that the request for a rehearing had been denied.

FEB. 8:  Nevada Hydro filed an application for a preliminary permit for the LEAPS project under docket number P-15261-000. In its explanation to FERC, Nevada Hydro reasoned because its application for a license was dismissed without prejudice, the company could refile after it provided the Forest Service with the requested information.

Nevada Hydro told FERC it was now working with the Forest Service on obtaining the information and once it had satisfied the agency’s needs, would “promptly” refile the license application. Nevada Hydro said it expected to complete the process within the next few months and once the license application is refiled, it would withdraw its application for a preliminary permit.

Nevada Hydro said it was filing the preliminary permit application now to keep others from filing permit applications for the LEAPS site.

Read the Feb. 8 preliminary permit request here:
https://wearetv.org/blog/docs/prelimap.PDF

FEB. 7:  But Blue Water Renewable Development LLC, a day earlier, had filed an application for a preliminary permit for the Blue Water Energy Storage Project to be built at Lake Elsinore.

In the filing, Blue Water described a project similar to LEAPS with a few differences. There was a smaller footprint for U.S. Forest Service land use and the route of the 500-kV transmission lines was changed.

The lines would not cross Temescal Valley between Glen Eden and Sycamore Creek, but would descend from the Santa Ana Mountains, run south of Horsethief Canyon Ranch, and cross the I-15 to connect to SCE’s Valley-Serrano lines at the proposed Alberhill substation. The substation, located in Temescal Valley on Concordia Ranch Road, has yet to receive approval from the California Public Utilities Commission.

FEB. 11:  Just as quickly as Blue Water had filed the application, it withdrew its request. “Upon consideration of additional facts and circumstances, Blue Water has decided to withdraw its Application,” was the only reason given.

It’s unknown the next steps FERC will take in processing Nevada Hydro’s application for a preliminary permit.

(Published August 2020)

EIS SCOPING: IT’S TIME TO SEND COMMENTS TO FERC

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is seeking scoping comments from the public as it begins to prepare the Environmental Impact Statement for the Lake Elsinore Advanced Pump Storage (LEAPS) project.

Nevada Hydro Company Inc. wants to build the project in the Cleveland National Forest with 32 miles of 500kV transmission lines strung on 150- to 200-foot steel towers.

The plan calls for water from Lake Elsinore to be pumped at night into a to-be-constructed reservoir in the Santa Ana Mountains above the lake and then returned by gravity to generate electricity through turbines.

One set of transmission lines – 13 miles in length, would run northwest across the Santa Ana Mountains then head north, crossing Temescal Valley and the I-15 to connect to Edison’s Valley-Serrano lines that run across the Temescal Mountains. A switchyard will be constructed at Lee Lake. Glen Eden, Sycamore Creek and Terramor would be the closest communities to the lines.

The other set of lines would head southwest from the pumped storage facility and run 19 miles to connect with San Diego Gas & Electric lines.

Public comments submitted should address points outlined in the Scoping Document or environmental issues not included in the document.

View the Scoping Document HERE

ACTION NEEDED NOW

FERC strongly encourages electronic filing. The public can submit brief comments up to 6,000 characters, without prior registration, using the eComment system at: https://ferconline.ferc.gov/QuickComment.aspx
Follow the directions on the page. It’s best to prewrite your comments in a Word doc and then copy and paste into the eComment template. FERC prefers that comments be kept short and to the point. The first page of any filing should include docket number P-14227-003. You must include your name and contact information at the end of your comments.
Longer comments also can be submitted online, but registration is required at:
https://ferconline.ferc.gov/FERCOnline.aspx

Comments also can be snail-mailed to:
Secretary
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
888 First Street NE
Washington, DC 20426

Deadline for comments is Monday, Aug. 17

DON’T KNOW WHAT TO SAY? HERE’S HELP

The WeAreTV Development Committee with the Sycamore Creek Community Association and Glen Eden Corporation are submitting scoping comments to FERC. If you want to but don’t know what to say, here are the impacts the LEAPS project will have on Temescal Valley. Use whatever you feel is most important.

PUBLIC SAFETY: The transmission lines through Temescal Valley would traverse a “very high” wildfire susceptibility area, a 100-year flood and dam inundation zone, and a seismic activity area associated with the Elsinore Fault Zone. Weather-wise, the project lies in the Elsinore Convergence Zone noted for extreme weather patterns including tornados. The lines would cross both the I-15 freeway and Temescal Canyon Road, the only north-south evacuation routes for Temescal Valley in case of a major disaster. There are no east-west roadways into or out of the area. Downed lines across the freeway and/or Temescal Canyon Road would hinder residential evacuation efforts.

INHIBIT FIRE-FIGHTING EFFORTS: Temescal Valley is prone to wildfires. Aircraft are utilized to fight blazes, most notably the August 2018 Holy Fire, when thousands of residents were evacuated. The lines and towers would impede aerial firefighters in accessing an inferno. The transmission lines, towers and switchyard adjacent to Lee Lake would inhibit the aircraft’s ability to draw water from the lake.

INHIBIT AREA GROWTH: Riverside County has approved land use and zoning changes to property adjacent to and under the planned transmission lines, including 196 acres of residential development and 73 acres of commercial/retail development. This much-needed development is at risk of being lost, thus adversely affecting the area economy and Temescal Valley’s ability to become an incorporated city.

CONSERVATION: The lines would traverse land area within the Western Riverside County Regional Conservation Authority (RCA), jurisdiction. Construction of the towers and associated facilities would cause harm to some of the 146 species of endangered and threatened animals, birds, insects and plants protected by the RCA’s Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan.

CULTURAL HERITAGE: The Temescal Valley area for centuries was populated by Luiseño and Juaneño Native American tribes, drawn to the area by the natural hot springs that flow here. There are numerous historical artifacts throughout the area. Grading for tower pads and construction of a proposed switchyard adjacent to Lee Lake could cause the loss of invaluable and precious antiquities. We strongly urge that Temescal Valley and the Lee Lake area be included in the Historic Properties Management Plan.

VISTAS: The transmission towers, lines and the construction of related facilities would impact the view from the I-15 freeway, which has been designated a State Eligible Scenic Highway.

EDISON PROJECT: Southern California Edison has begun construction on the Valley-IvyGlen 115kV subtransmission lines with completion expected mid-2022. These lines will cross the I-15 freeway almost exactly where the Nevada Hydro transmission towers and lines are proposed.

(Published November 2019)

FERC tells Nevada Hydro to give Forest Service info

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), was expected to soon issue a Notice of Intent (NOI), to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), for Nevada Hydro Company’s Lake Elsinore Advanced Pumped Storage (LEAPS), project.

The NOI usually includes dates of scoping meetings where details of the project are presented and the public can ask questions and offer comments, but it now appears the NOI will be delayed.

The U.S. Forest Service in October let FERC know it did not have sufficient information from Nevada Hydro to work jointly with other Federal agencies in compiling its environmental data.

FERC, in a Nov. 22 communication, informed Nevada Hydro that withholding the needed information could result in the Forest Service having to develop a supplemental EIS at a later date, which would be inconsistent with the intent to have a single environmental document that supports each agency’s permitting decision.

FERC told Nevada Hydro before it issues the NOI, “Nevada Hydro must consult with the Forest Service to develop a plan and schedule for providing the requested information and file monthly progress reports with the Commission on the status of the consultation and development of the additional information.”
Read the document here: https://www.wearetv.org/blog/docs/noi.pdf

(Published September 2019)

Deadline nears for LEAPS protests, interventions

It’s been a busy month for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), since its July 26 announcement that it had accepted the application for a license submitted by the Nevada Hydro Company Inc. for the controversial Lake Elsinore Advanced Pump Storage (LEAPS), project.

FERC also announced a 60-day period for the public to send protests and for interested parties/agencies to submit motions to intervene which gives citizens and groups the ability to challenge in court FERC’s final decision on the project.

FERC, almost daily, is receiving protests and motions to intervene. Among notable intervention requests received are those from the U.S. Forest Service, city of Lake Elsinore, Sen. Jeff Stone of the 28^th District and Sen. Richard Roth of the 31^st District, and Assemblywoman Melissa Melendez of the 67^th District. Riverside County now is working on its motion to intervene notice.

More locally, intervention notices have been submitted by Glen Eden Sun Club and the Sycamore Creek HOA. Read the notices:
Glen Eden Corporation
Sycamore Creek Community Association

The deadline for protests and motions to intervene is quickly approaching – Tuesday, Sept. 24.

HOW TO SUBMIT A PROTEST

Protests can be submitted to FERC via its eComment page on the website:
https://ferconline.ferc.gov/QuickComment.aspx

Follow the directions on the page. It’s best to prewrite your comments in a Word doc and then copy and paste into the eComment template. Begin your comments with:

“PROTEST” (in all caps)
NEVADA HYDRO COMPANY, INC. PROJECT NO. P-14227
Objections to acceptance of the Final License Application for the Lake Elsinore Advanced Pumped Storage Project
Your name, address and phone number
And then list your reasons for protesting

Comments also can be snail-mailed to:
The Honorable Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
888 First Street NE
Washington, DC 20426

                                           DEADLINE IS SEPT. 24

(Published August 2019)

LEAPS APPLICATION ACCEPTED; PROTESTS DUE

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), in response to a request the Nevada Hydro Company, Inc. (NHC), submitted in June, has accepted the application for the Lake Elsinore Advanced Pump Storage (LEAPS), project.

FERC made the announcement July 26 and set a 60-day period for the public to submit protests and for interested parties/agencies to solicit motions to intervene. The deadline for protests and motions is Sept. 24. Filing a protest now gives citizens and groups the ability to challenge FERC’s final decision on the project in court.

In making its request to FERC for expedited acceptance of its license application, NHC said it was on target to the meet the deadlines that had been set for a few lingering study areas. NHC also asked FERC to move forward with its environmental analysis without seeking additional public comments.

NHC told FERC all interested parties have had 15 months to comment which many have done. NHC noted that none of the comments nor any information disclosed in each of the approved study areas have introduced new issues that were not covered in the 2007 Environmental Impact Statement associated with NHC’s first application.

In announcing the acceptance of the application, FERC wrote, “This application has been accepted for filing, but is not ready for environmental analysis at this time.” No mention was made of not requiring scoping meetings for public comments during the environmental analysis.

Temescal Valley resident’s primary concern about the LEAPS project are the 500-kV transmission lines. The lines would run northwest from a starting point above Lake Elsinore in the Santa Ana mountains then head north, running between Sycamore Creek and Glen Eden, and crossing De Palma Road and the I-15 just south of the Sycamore Creek shopping center to connect to Edison’s Valley-Serrano lines that run across the Temescal Mountains above Lee Lake.

Since the Holy Fire, many residents worry about wildfires started by downed transmission lines and how they impede the ability of firefighters to use planes and helicopters to make chemical and water drops. Additionally, the LEAPS lines would be next to Lee Lake that was used as a water source for helicopters during the Holy Fire.

City asks FERC to correct deficiencies in water-quality study

While the Nevada Hydro Company thought it had submitted in January its final Lake Elsinore water-quality study requested by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the city wasn’t quite as sure.

The city of Lake Elsinore hired Stillwater Sciences, a water-quality consultant, to provide a peer review on the effect the LEAPS project would have on the water in the lake.

The consulting company found several deficiencies in NHC’s water-quality studies and concluded, “… the report does not provide a clear water quality assessment of LEAPS operations over the long-term.”

On Aug. 2, the city sent the full peer review to FERC asking the agency to require NHC to correct the deficiencies found in its water-quality study. To learn more:
http://www.lake-elsinore.org/Home/Components/News/News/2422/26

(Published April 2019)

U.S. Forest Service says ‘No’ to LEAPS Fire Study Plan

Lake Elsinore residents last week applauded their City Council for a unanimous vote to go on record in opposition to the Lake Elsinore Advanced Pump Storage (LEAPS) project. But a letter sent by the U.S. Forest Service to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) on April 10 gives Temescal Valley residents a reason to celebrate.

Here’s a little background for readers new to the ongoing LEAPS saga. The Nevada Hydro Company, headquartered in San Diego County, is seeking FERC approval to build the controversial project. LEAPS would pump water from Lake Elsinore at night up to a to-be-constructed reservoir in the Decker Canyon area of the Cleveland National Forest. The water then would be returned to the lake via gravity to generate electricity through turbines. The project also calls for 32 miles of overhead 500 kV transmission lines that would connect to SDG&E and SCE lines.

One set of lines would descend in a northerly direction from the Santa Ana Mountains and cross Temescal Valley between the Sycamore Creek and Glen Eden communities. The lines would continue east across the I-15 freeway and connect to Edison lines in the foothills of the Temescal Mountains.

Many Temescal Valley residents oppose the project because of the possible fire danger associated with powerlines – whether igniting a fire or impeding aircraft ability to fight a fire, and the U.S. Forest Service communication to FERC on April 10 underlined the same concerns.

In its licensing process, FERC found certain elements of the overall LEAPS project to need additional studies – one being a Fire Study Plan. In March, Nevada Hydro submitted a plan to FERC, indicating that after consulting with the Forest Service, a “final study plan has been completed with no disagreements between the Forest Service and the company.”

The Forest Service, in its April 10 communication, disagreed, stating that none of its concerns or comments were included in the fire plan submitted by Nevada Hydro. The letter read in part, “The plan lacks the analysis we’ve requested to determine how the proposed project could impact fire risk and fire management activities within the Cleveland National Forest.”

The letter itemized the agency’s issues with Nevada Hydro’s plan and requested Forest Service concerns and comments be incorporated and assessed in the
Final LEAPS Fire Study Plan. Nevada Hydro’s final study plans are due to FERC June 30.

The significance of the Forest Service’s objections is that it is a federal agency, as is FERC.

While local opposition, such as the vote taken by the Lake Elsinore City Council is notable, neither city, county or state can approve or deny the project – only FERC has the final say.

Residents and local governing agencies opposed to the project should support the U.S. Forest Service’s latest objections.

HOW TO COMMUNICATE WITH FERC

To let FERC know you support the Forest Service requests outlined in its April 10 communication, submit your comments via the agency’s online eComment page. Use an Internet Explorer browser:
https://ferconline.ferc.gov/QuickComment.aspx

Follow the directions on the page. It’s best to prewrite your comments in a Word doc and then copy and paste into the eComment template. The docket number is P-14227.

Begin your comments with — Re: Support of the U.S. Forest Service communication dated April 10 regarding Project No. P-14227

Here’s the agency’s two-page letter to FERC to help you with your comments:
https://www.wearetv.org/blog/docs/usfs.pdf

(Published Oct. 12, 2018)

FERC denies Nevada Hydro request to be declared transmission project

Earlier this year The Nevada Hydro Company asked the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), for a declaratory order designating the Lake Elsinore Advanced Pump Storage (LEAPS), project as a transmission project instead of a storage project.

The request could be considered premature as FERC has yet to rule on granting a license for LEAPS. But, the agency did rule on Nevada Hydro’s request for the declaratory order.

Late last month, FERC announced its decision: “We dismiss Nevada Hydro’s petition and find that a request to designate LEAPS as a transmission facility is premature at this time. LEAPS has not been studied in the CAISO TPP (California Independent System Operators’ Transmission Planning Process), to determine whether it addresses a transmission need identified through that process, and, if such a need were met, how the facility would be operated. Absent such information, the commission cannot make a reasoned decision on whether LEAPS is a transmission project and thus eligible for cost recovery under the transmission access charge.”

FERC had received much written opposition to Nevada Hydro’s request, most notably from CAISO, Southern California Edison and the California Public Utilities Commission.

(Published Sept. 12, 2018)

Lawsuit settled; deadline nears for study requests

EVMWD will supply LEAPS water; must pay Nevada Hydro $2 million

A press release jointly issued Aug. 29 by the Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District and The Nevada Hydro Company quietly announced that a settlement had been reached in the $24 million lawsuit the hydroelectric company filed in September 2012 against the water district.

The lawsuit claimed breach of contract by the water district when in 2011 the district terminated a 1997 agreement it had with Nevada Hydro for its Lake Elsinore Advanced Pump Storage project (LEAPS).

The press release stated: “After many years of litigation, the Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District (EVMWD) and The Nevada Hydro Company (Nevada Hydro) have reached a settlement of litigation regarding a 1997 development agreement. ‘We have agreed to the settlement to protect EVMWD’s rate payers from the costs of ongoing litigation and to avoid exposure to millions in damages,’ said John D. Vega, general manager for EVMWD. The San Diego County Superior Court has entered a consent judgment approving the settlement agreement.”

What the press release didn’t say:

• Basically, EVMWD will sell to Nevada Hydro and purchase if necessary the “initial fill” of 15,000 acre-feet of water for the LEAPS project and charge Nevada Hydro a 10 percent administrative fee based on its cost to purchase the water. EVMWD will purchase additional water as needed and sell it to Nevada Hydro.
• The water district will return to Nevada Hydro $154,852, the amount that Nevada Hydro claims was erroneously refunded to EVMWD by the U.S. Forest Service.
• EVMWD must within 30 days of the settlement pay Nevada Hydro $2 million in additional monetary compensation for dismissal of the lawsuit.
• The water district is expressly forbidden to oppose Nevada Hydro and/or the LEAPS project and must withdraw any opposition issued in the past and to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).

Read the consent judgment and settlement agreement:

COURT DOCUMENT 1
COURT DOCUMENT 2

Nevada Hydro response for additional studies due Sept. 13

In June, FERC determined that 12 requests for additional studies for the LEAPS project from the 34 submitted held merit and that further evaluation was necessary. FERC gave Nevada Hydro a deadline of Sept. 13 to submit the additional studies.

Three of the 12 studies have direct impact on Temescal Valley: Study 30 – Visual Simulations, Study 33 – Cultural Resources and Study 34 – Alternative Northern Transmission Alignments.

In Study 34, the report found that the alignment of the northern lines running east from the mountains and across Temescal Valley needs more study because of the area’s development in the past 10 years.

Nevada Hydro was told the study should be done in consultation with area residential communities, including Sycamore Creek, Terramor and the not-yet-approved Lakeside community.

In August, Nevada Hydro emailed Sycamore Creek, Terramor and possibly Lakeside (not confirmed), outlining its reasoning for choosing the alignment it did. The 500-kV transmission lines would run from the mountains above Lake Elsinore in a northerly direction and cross Temescal Valley between Sycamore Creek and Glen Eden. The lines would cross the freeway to a switchyard to be constructed at Lee Lake and then continue northeasterly to connect to Edison’s Valley-Serrano lines.

Nevada Hydro explained two other alignment possibilities. Alternative 1 would keep the lines in the Cleveland National Forest where they would join the Valley-Serrano lines on the west side of the freeway instead of the east side. Nevada Hydro said this alternative was too costly.

Alternative 2 would have the lines descending from the mountains but crossing Alberhill Ranch and the Pacific Clay property and run adjacent to the southeastern border of Horsethief Canyon Ranch. The lines could connect to a switchyard built on the Edison property at Concordia Ranch and Temescal Canyon roads and continue northeast to connect to the Valley-Serrano lines above Lee Lake. Nevada Hydro said Pacific Clay had objected to the lines running across its property, plus the transmission towers would be close to Horsethief.

In deference to Sycamore Creek protests that the lines were too close to that community, Nevada Hydro said it would change the route to the south side of Glen Eden which would place the lines farther away from Sycamore Creek, but closer to Glen Eden.

In its email, Nevada Hydro asked the recipients to submit comments on the alignment by Sept. 6. Comments from the Sycamore Creek attorney stated the community’s preferred alignment would be Alternative 1 – to keep the lines in the forest and on the west side of the freeway.

Although not consulted by Nevada Hydro, Glen Eden submitted comments also favoring Alternative 1.

Read the documents:
Study 34 – Alternative Northerly Alignments
Sycamore Creek response
Glen Eden response

(Published July 13, 2018)

FOIA request to FERC produces 2 documents

‘Privileged’ info indicates Nevada Hydro will get water;
EVMWD lawsuit mediated

By JANNLEE WATSON
Communications Chairwoman
We Are Temescal Valley

Because of redactions made to documents I requested from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, it’s difficult to pinpoint who will be the water supplier for Nevada Hydro’s LEAPS project. The documents, despite the redactions, strongly indicate that water will be available and negotiations between the company, Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District (EVMWD), and other entities are progressing. But – let’s start at the beginning.

In January, FERC notified Nevada Hydro of several deficiencies and the need for additional information in its license application filed for the LEAPS project. The company was given 90 days to respond.

READ THE REDACTED
FOIA DOCUMENTS
DOCUMENT 1
DOCUMENT 2

Nevada Hydro’s response was published April 3 on FERC’s online-accessible eLibrary, which included many documents responding to the request for more information. Most all the documents were available to the public, but two – how Nevada Hydro planned to keep the level of Lake Elsinore above 1,240 feet and who was going to supply the additional water needed for the reservoir and daily evaporation – were determined to be “privileged,” meaning not available for public review.

On April 10, I sent an email to FERC requesting the documents under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). After being notified of my request, Nevada Hydro on April 27 opposed release of the documents citing private financial details, including rate information, with potential water suppliers for the project.

The company argued that public disclosure of certain portions of the documents “would reveal internal business strategies, trade secrets, deliberations and views of negotiations that made it exempt from disclosure under FOIA Exemption 4.”

FERC agreed with Nevada Hydro’s assessment, and I received on May 8 a copy of a letter sent to Nevada Hydro by FERC stating it intended to release the documents to me but would redact (black out) portions containing confidential business-related information.

After two follow-up requests to FERC (“Where are the documents?”), I received them earlier this month.

In the first document, Nevada Hydro proposes to pre-purchase 15,000 acre-feet of water to fill the Decker Canyon reservoir and raise the level of Lake Elsinore by three feet. The company also plans to enter a long-term water agreement to purchase enough water to offset evaporative losses at the lake associated with the LEAPS project.

Nevada Hydro explains in detail why the water purchases would “ensure that the elevation of Lake Elsinore with the LEAPS project would always be higher than the elevation of Lake Elsinore without the LEAPS project.”

The amount of water needed to assure the lake level would not fall lower than 1,240 feet was based on two hydrology studies cited in the document.

The company also noted that with the lake level no lower than 1,240 feet, the aeration effects the project would have on the lake would make it more able to support “substantially larger and more robust populations of warm-water fish, which in turn will substantially enhance recreation and fishing at Lake Elsinore.”

Two pages of the seven-page document under the subheading “Negotiating Agreements in Principle – Current Status,” were redacted. Unfortunately, this section probably explained additional methodology and named the water supplier or suppliers with whom Nevada Hydro is negotiating.

The document ends with Nevada Hydro reminding FERC that the author of one of the studies cited in the document is now engaged in 500 additional hours of analysis on implementation of the company’s plan and will let the commission know when the study is complete.

The second document is a copy of a court order regarding the lawsuit Nevada Hydro filed in September 2012 against EVMWD. The lawsuit claimed breach of contract by the water district when in 2011 the district terminated a 1997 LEAPS agreement it had with Nevada Hydro.

The lawsuit was scheduled to begin last September before a San Diego County Superior Court jury. Water district officials, when asked about the status of the lawsuit, have offered no response saying they can’t discuss pending litigation.

The court document I received dealt with an extended stay of action for the lawsuit and continued status conferences.

It claims that the parties have privately mediated their dispute and “developed a framework for the potential settlement of this action, which included the negotiation of a possible Water Supply/Management Agreement” for the LEAPS project.

In ordering the extended stay of action, the legal document concluded: “… the Parties mutually desire to continue their good faith negotiations toward a possible Water Supply/Management Agreement that would provide a water supply for the LEAPS project, improve Lake Elsinore water levels and water quality, and provide a pathway for global resolution of this litigation.”

The stay also was ordered because “such negotiations will necessarily involve third party vendors and/or suppliers and will require additional time to explore.”

A status conference has been scheduled 9 a.m., Friday, July 27 before Judge Timothy M. Casserly in Dept. 31 of the North County Regional Center, 325 S. Melrose Drive, Vista.

You can read the documents here:

DOCUMENT 1
DOCUMENT 2

(Published June 15, 2018)

Additional studies warranted for 12 of the 34 submitted

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission today released an important document in Nevada Hydro’s quest to obtain a license for the LEAPS project.

FERC determined that 12 requests for additional studies from the 34 submitted held merit and that further evaluation is necessary. At least three of the 12 have direct impact on Temescal Valley: Study 30 – Visual Simulations, Study 33 – Cultural Resources and Study 34 – Alternative Northern Transmission Alignments.

FERC had concerns that earlier visual simulations of how the project will look didn’t take into consideration new and proposed development in Temescal Valley and other areas. Additional study also is needed for Luiseno cultural resources in the Lee Lake area. The report found that the alignment of the northern lines running east from the mountains and across Temescal Valley needs more study because of the area’s development in the past 10 years – Glen Eden, Terramor, Sycamore Creek, Horsethief Canyon Ranch and the yet-to-be approved Lakeside community were specifically named.

The Nevada Hydro deadline to file the required study plans is Sept. 13.

Read what FERC says needs additional study and why:
https://www.wearetv.org/blog/docs/studies.pdf

(Published Jan. 14, 2018)

LEAPS in the news

Did you miss the Jan. 13, 2018 Press-Enterprise update on the controversial Lake Elsinore Advanced Pumped Storage project? You can read it HERE.

As referenced in the Press-Enterprise report, here is the Jan. 3, 2018 communication to Nevada Hydro from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission outlining the deficiencies the agency has found in the final license application:
https://www.wearetv.org/blog/docs/deficiencies.pdf

Also, Nevada Hydro has sent communication to FERC outlining its initial response to some requests for additional studies: https://www.wearetv.org/blog/docs/response.pdf

(Published Dec. 11, 2017)

What’s next for the LEAPS project?

What’s the next step for Nevada Hydro’s Lake Elsinore Advanced Pumped Storage project (LEAPS), now that the deadline has passed for additional study requests?

We contacted James Fargo at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC.) It appears the process will be a long one with the first step being a review of all requests submitted for additional studies and the determination of which requests are valid.

Here’s what Fargo stated in an email:

The issuance of the Ready for Environmental Analysis (REA), Notice and subsequent milestones will not occur until the additional information needs of Commission staff on the final license application have been satisfied, which may include the completion of any needed additional studies.  The milestones that provide opportunities for stakeholder input are highlighted in red.

• Additional study requests due
• Issue Scoping Document 1 for comments
• Public Scoping Meetings
• Comments on Scoping Document 1 due
• Issue Scoping Document 2 (if necessary)
• Issue REA Notice soliciting comments, recommendations, terms and conditions, and prescriptions
• Comments, recommendations, terms and conditions, and prescriptions due
• Issue updated EIS
• Comments on updated EIS due
• Issue final EIS (if necessary)

Several requests for studies were submitted just prior to the Dec. 1 deadline, including one from the U.S. Department of Agriculture with concerns about the Cleveland National Forest – among them the Decker Canyon Reservoir, the design of the transmission lines, fire hazards and the outdated Environmental Impact Statement.

Many study requests came from Sycamore Creek residents and one petition (many different ones, plus form letters were submitted), had more than 1,000 signatures.

(Published Nov. 28, 2017)

DEADLINE FOR COMMENTS IS FRIDAY. DEC. 1

HOW TO SUBMIT ADDITIONAL STUDY REQUESTS
Requests for additional studies can be submitted to FERC via its eComment page on the website. Use an Internet Explorer browser:
https://ferconline.ferc.gov/QuickComment.aspx

Follow the directions on the page. It’s best to prewrite your comments in a Word doc and then copy and paste into the eComment template. The docket number is P-14227. Begin your comments with:
Re: Lake Elsinore Advanced Pumped Storage Project
Project No. P-14227-003

NEW INFO: A copy of your request sent to FERC for additional studies also MUST BE emailed to Rex Waite at Nevada Hydro:
Rex@leapshydro.com

Here are the latest the comments sent to FERC:

From Congressman Ken Calvert
From Assemblywoman Melissa Melendez
From Riverside County
From Lake Elsinore & San Jacinto Watersheds Authority

(Published Nov. 9, 2017)

UPDATE ON LEAPS …

There seems to be disagreement between Southern California Edison and Nevada Hydro Co. about the connection point of the LEAPS project’s northern transmission lines, which could change the path of those lines if the hydro-power project is approved.

Speaking at the Nov. 8 Temescal Valley Municipal Advisory Council meeting, Edison’s Jeremy Goldman said the lines will connect to the proposed Alberhill substation. If the substation plan gains approval by the California Public Utilities Commission, it will be constructed on 124 acres of SCE-owned land at the corner of Temescal Canyon and Concordia Ranch roads east of the 1-15 and close to the 1,900-home Horsethief Canyon Ranch neighborhood.

In filing its Final License Application with FERC, Nevada Hydro shows the connection point to be a switchyard it will build near Lee Lake with the lines continuing north to join Edison’s Valley-Serrano lines that run across the Temescal Mountains. The path to the Lee Lake switchyard would pass very close to the Glen Eden, Terramor, Sycamore Creek and Horsethief Canyon communities.

If the connection point is the Alberhill substation, about three miles south of the proposed  Lee Lake switchyard, it is presumed the path of the lines would be changed, with major impact to  Horsethief Canyon Ranch residents.

When questioned further, Goldman directed people to read Edison’s communication to FERC dated Sept. 22, 2017.

Here’s the Edison Letter:
https://www.wearetv.org/blog/docs/SCE.pdf

In the meantime, the countdown continues toward the Friday, Dec. 1 deadline for requests to be submitted to FERC asking for additional scientific studies for the LEAPS project.

The We Are Temescal Valley Development Committee urges residents, especially those living in Sycamore Creek, Glen Eden, Terramor and Horsethief Canyon Ranch, to request a new Environmental Impact Statement for the project.

The EIS that Nevada Hydro is using for the project was prepared in January 2007. Since that time, Riverside County has approved land use changes to property adjacent to and under the path of the proposed northern transmission lines, including Terramor and new Sycamore Creek neighborhoods. The impact of such an intensive project should be studied under current conditions, not those of almost 11 years ago.

The city of Lake Elsinore, the Riverside County Transportation & Land Management Agency and the Lake Elsinore & San Jacinto Watersheds Authority soon will be submitting requests for additional studies. Local Congressman Ken Calvert is resubmitting his request next week.

HOW TO SUBMIT ADDITIONAL STUDY REQUESTS
Requests for additional studies can be submitted to FERC via its eComment page on the website. Use an Internet Explorer browser:
https://ferconline.ferc.gov/QuickComment.aspx

Follow the directions on the page. It’s best to prewrite your comments in a Word doc and then copy and paste into the eComment template. The docket number is P-14227. Begin your comments with:
Re: Lake Elsinore Advanced Pumped Storage Project
Project No. P-14227-003

NEW INFO: A copy of your request sent to FERC for additional studies also MUST BE emailed to Rex Waite at Nevada Hydro:
Rex@leapshydro.com

Comments also can be snail-mailed to:
The Honorable Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
888 First Street NE
Washington, DC 20426

DEADLINE: FRIDAY, DEC. 1

Here’s the FERC Public Notice announcing the current filing period:
https://www.wearetv.org/blog/docs/notice.pdf

Here’s Nevada Hydro’s cover letter for the Final License Application:
https://www.wearetv.org/blog/docs/FLA.pdf

Here’s the Final License Application:
http://nevadahydro.com/index.php/projects/final-license-application/

The following entities already have sent letters opposing the project and/or requesting State and local agency review:

Glen Eden Corporation
Sycamore Creek Community Association
Horsethief Canyon Ranch Community Association
The Retreat Community Association
Terramor at Temescal Valley
Lakeside Temescal Valley
Riverside County 1st District Supervisor Kevin Jeffries
U.S. Rep. Ken Calvert, 42nd Congressional District
Assemblywoman Melissa Melendez, 67th Assembly District
Riverside County Transportation & Land Management Agency
City of Lake Elsinore
Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District
Lake Elsinore & San Jacinto Watersheds Authority
U.S. Department of Agriculture
California Department of Fish and Wildlife
California Water Resources Control Board
Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians
Center for Biodiversity
Sierra Club
San Bernardino Valley Audubon Society
Southern California Edison

(Published Oct. 12, 2017)

LATE-BREAKING NEWS …

Nevada Hydro rep Rex Wait, speaking at the Oct. 11 TV MAC meeting, announced a 60-day public comment period to request additional studies for the LEAPS project.

Request DEADLINE IS DEC. 1. If you submitted earlier comments, those comments must be resubmitted and phrased to request the need for additional studies and your reason for seeking the study.

HOW TO SUBMIT ADDITIONAL STUDY REQUESTS
Requests for additional studies can be submitted to FERC via its eComment page on the website. Use an Internet Explorer browser:

https://ferconline.ferc.gov/QuickComment.aspx

Follow the directions on the page. It’s best to prewrite your comments in a Word doc and then copy and paste into the eComment template. The docket number is P-14227. Begin your comments with:
Re: Lake Elsinore Advanced Pumped Storage Project
Project No. P-14227-003

Comments also can be snail-mailed to:
The Honorable Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
888 First Street NE
Washington, DC 20426

(Published Oct. 7, 2017)

FERC allows license application to be filed and waives requirement for additional review and public scoping

WHO:     Nevada Hydro Speaker
WHAT:   Temescal Valley Municipal Advisory Council
WHEN:   7 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 11
WHERE:  The Trilogy Lodge, 24503 Trilogy Parkway.

Despite protests from many state, county and city agencies, as well as elected officials and concerned citizens, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on Sept. 29 issued its approval to accept a draft license application for a significant hydro-power project without requiring further review or public scoping. This action opened the door for the Nevada Hydro Company Inc. to file a final license application for its LEAPS project, which it did Oct. 2.

This application, with little exception, is based on a 10-year-old environmental impact statement. What comes next? We hope the Nevada Hydro representative who will speak at the Wednesday, Oct. 11 Temescal Valley Municipal Advisory Council  meeting can answer that question. The meeting is at 7 p.m. at the Trilogy Lodge, 24503 Trilogy Parkway.

Here’s the FERC approval: https://www.wearetv.org/blog/docs/FERC.pdf

Here’s Nevada Hydro’s cover letter for the Final License Application: https://www.wearetv.org/blog/docs/FLA.pdf

Here’s the Final License Application:
http://nevadahydro.com/index.php/projects/final-license-application/

(Published Aug. 8, 2017)

Nevada Hydro resubmits LEAPS application to FERC

A request to submit a draft license application for a controversial power project that would greatly impact the Temescal Valley scenic view could be approved at any time by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).

FERC is reviewing the application resubmitted by Nevada Hydro Company Inc. to build its Lake Elsinore Advanced Pump Storage (LEAPS) project in the Cleveland National Forest with 32 miles of 500 kV transmission lines and 170 high-voltage steel towers. Nevada Hydro is asking FERC to accept the draft license application without additional review and public scoping.

The plan calls for water from Lake Elsinore to be pumped at night into a to-be-constructed reservoir and then returned via gravity to generate electricity through turbines.

One set of transmission lines would run northwest across the Santa Ana mountains then head north, crossing Temescal Valley and the I-15 to connect to Edison’s Valley-Serrano lines that run across the Temescal Mountains. Glen Eden, Terramor, Sycamore Creek and Horsethief Canyon Ranch would be the closest communities to the lines.

The other set of lines would head southwest from the pumped storage facility to connect with San Diego Gas & Electric lines.

The project’s intent is to provide additional electricity during peak power usage and to replace electrical output lost with the closure of the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station.

The project was originally submitted in 1995. FERC initially approved the application in the early 2000s but then dismissed it in 2011 because of uncertainty over whether Nevada Hydro had rights to use Lake Elsinore water.

The previous project partner, Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District (EVMWD), backed out of the project and terminated its agreement with Nevada Hydro in 2011. A lawsuit on the water rights issue is scheduled to begin before a San Diego County Superior Court jury on Sept. 22.

The WeAreTV Development Committee is sending a letter to FERC outlining reasons why the application should be denied:

DOWNED POWER LINE SAFETY: According to the Riverside County General Plan’s Temescal Canyon Area Plan, the Temescal Valley portion of the project would traverse a very high wildfire susceptibility area, a 100-year flood and dam inundation zone, and a seismic activity area associated with the Elsinore Fault Zone. Weather-wise, the project lies in the Elsinore Convergence Zone noted for extreme weather patterns including tornados.

The lines would cross both the I-15 freeway and Temescal Canyon Road, the only two north-south evacuation routes in Temescal Valley in case of a major disaster. There are no east-west roadways into or out of the area.

CHANGE IN CONDITIONS: Riverside County has approved land use changes to property adjacent to and under the planned transmission lines since the project’s dismissal in 2011. New development has been constructed. A draft Federal Environmental Impact Statement under National Environmental Protection Agency (NEPA), guidelines was released in January 2007 — 10 years ago. The impact of such an intensive project should be studied under current conditions, not those of 10 or 20 years ago.

CONSERVATION: The lines would traverse land area within the Western Riverside County Regional Conservation Authority (RCA), jurisdiction. Construction of the towers and associated facilities would disturb endangered and threatened species of animals and plants protected by the RCA’s Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan.

VISTAS: The transmission towers, lines and the construction of related facilities would impact the view from the I-15 freeway, which has been designated a State Eligible Scenic Highway.

EDISON PROJECTS: The final Environmental Impact Report has been released for Edison’s Valley-IvyGlen transmission lines and the Alberhill Substation. A public hearing on these projects soon will be scheduled by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). If approved, Edison’s 115 kV subtransmission lines will cross the I-15 freeway almost exactly where the Nevada Hydro transmission towers are proposed.

LACK OF STATE APPROVALS: FERC has indicated it may grant the new application with no additional review. According to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, there is only an outdated Draft Environmental Impact Report for the project that was never approved. There is no current project application before the California Public Utilities Commission.

With the 60-day comment period now over, it is expected the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission will soon decide on whether to issue a preliminary permit to the Nevada Hydro Company Inc. to proceed with its controversial Lake Elsinore Advanced Pump Storage project.

When FERC dismissed the license application and denied a rehearing request, it appeared LEAPS was dead. But Nevada Hydro then filed an application for a preliminary permit for LEAPS under a new docket number — P-15261-000.

FERC accepted the application in April and set the period for public comments and motions to intervene. Having intervention status gives citizens, organizations, and public agencies the ability to legally challenge FERC’s final decision on the project. By the June 6 deadline, FERC received 11 intervention motions and about 70 comments – all opposing the project.

(Published May 5, 2022)

JUNE 6 DEADLINE TO FILE LEAPS COMMENTS, INTERVENTION
FERC issues preliminary permit to Nevada Hydro for LEAPS

When the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), in December dismissed a license application filed by Nevada Hydro Company Inc., and in February denied a rehearing request by the hydropower company, it appeared the Lake Elsinore Advanced Pump Storage (LEAPS), project was dead.

But on Feb. 8, the day after the rehearing request was denied, Nevada Hydro filed an application for a preliminary permit for the LEAPS project under new docket number P-15261-000.

FERC announced April 8 the permit application was accepted and set a 60-day period for the public to submit comments and for interested parties/agencies to solicit motions to intervene. The deadline for comments and motions is June 6. Having intervention status gives citizens, organizations, and public agencies the ability to challenge in court FERC’s final decision on the project.

FERC had dismissed the license application based on allegations made by the U.S. Forest Service that Nevada Hydro wasn’t providing the necessary information to consider issuing a Special Use Authorization for the project, which was delaying the Environmental Impact Statement.

In its filing for the preliminary permit, Nevada Hydro reasoned because FERC had dismissed its application for a license without prejudice, the company could refile after it provided the Forest Service with the requested information.

Nevada Hydro told FERC in February that it was working with the Forest Service on obtaining the information and once it had satisfied the agency’s needs, would “promptly” refile the license application.

Nevada Hydro said it expected to complete the process within the next few months and once the license application is refiled, it would withdraw its application for a preliminary permit. Nevada Hydro said it had filed the preliminary permit application to keep others from filing applications for the LEAPS site.

In announcing the acceptance of the preliminary permit application, FERC noted, “The sole purpose of a preliminary permit, if issued, is to grant the permit holder priority to file a license application during the permit term. A preliminary permit does not authorize the permit holder to perform any land-disturbing activities or otherwise enter upon lands or waters owned by others without the owners’ express permission.”

Temescal Valley residents opposing LEAPS are concerned about the 500-kV transmission lines. The lines would run northwest from a starting point above Lake Elsinore in the Santa Ana Mountains then head north, running between Sycamore Creek and Glen Eden. The lines would cross De Palma Road and the I-15 just south of the Vons shopping center to connect to Edison’s Valley-Serrano lines that run across the Temescal Mountains above Lee Lake.

Since the Holy Fire, many residents worry about wildfires started by downed transmission lines and how they impede the ability of firefighters to use planes and helicopters to make chemical and water drops. Additionally, the LEAPS lines would be next to Lee Lake that was used as a water source for helicopters during the Holy Fire.

While individuals are submitting comments to FERC, as of this writing, none have been Temescal Valley residents. We Are Temescal Valley and Sycamore Creek Community Association have filed for intervention status and Glen Eden Corporation is expected to file.

Read Feb. 8 Preliminary Permit Request
Read April 8 Preliminary Permit Acceptance
Read Sycamore Creek Notice to Intervene

HOW TO SUBMIT A COMMENT

Comments can be submitted to FERC via its eComment page on the website:
https://ferconline.ferc.gov/QuickComment.aspx 

• Fill out necessary contact information
• An email will be sent to the submitted email address and follow the provided link
• Once in the provided eComment page, enter Docket number P-15261 and select “Search”
• Select the small blue cross to tag your comment to the Docket
• It’s best to prewrite your comments in a Word doc and then copy and paste in the field provided. Quick comments are limited to 6,000 characters. You must include your name and contact information at the end of your comments

Comments also can be snail-mailed to:
The Honorable Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
888 First Street NE
Washington, DC 20426     

DEADLINE IS JUNE 6

We Are Temescal Valley files notice in LEAPS proceedings

The We Are Temescal Valley citizens’ group filed this Notice to Intervene with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on May 2. It states the group’s opposition to the proposed hydroelectric LEAPS project in Lake Elsinore.

I.  STATEMENT OF INTEREST AND GROUNDS FOR MOTION TO INTERVENE
Temescal Valley is the unincorporated Riverside County area located between the cities of Corona and Lake Elsinore to the north and south, and is a narrow valley bordered by the Santa Mountains on the west and the Temescal Mountains on the east. More than 26,000 people reside in the 19.3-square mile community that has 21 identifiable and distinct neighborhoods. We Are Temescal Valley is a grass-roots citizens’ organization, founded in 2011 to provide information to residents regarding issues of public safety, development, education, business, and other items of public interest. The group maintains a website, publishes a monthly newsletter, and has a social media page with more than 10,000 members. Our concerns align with those of the US Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service, including the LEAPS project’s potential negative impact to public safety, fire risk, heritage resources, endangered species, and land use objectives and economic development.

II.  COMMENTS

A. The project will increase the risk to public safety.
As outlined in the Riverside County General Plan / Temescal Canyon Area Plan, the majority of Temescal Valley is within a high-risk Fire Hazard Severity Zone. Its proximity to the Cleveland National Forest, with housing developments constructed in the foothills of the Santa Ana Mountains, gives rise to the increased fire risk. The August 2018 Holy fire, that destroyed 23,025 acres of wildlands, caused the evacuation of several thousand Temescal Valley residents and burned in the area where the LEAPS project would place the northern 500-kV transmission lines and towers between the communities of Glen Eden and Sycamore Creek. The Holy fire utilized aerial firefighting support of helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft to prevent the blaze from consuming area homes and businesses. The transmission lines and towers would have limited such efforts. Additionally, helicopters used the community’s Lee Lake as a water source. The proposed path of the LEAPS transmission lines across Temescal Valley will place towers adjacent to Lee Lake, limiting aerial access to the lake’s water. Floods and debris flows followed the Holy fire, causing additional evacuations. Several mountain canyons carry natural water runoff into Temescal Valley neighborhoods, and with the heavy rainfall season that followed the fire, the drainage infrastructure was unable to channel the water flow. The Glen Eden neighborhood, situated at the base of Indian Canyon, sustained severe damage. The proposed path of the transmission lines will necessitate disturbance to the topography and natural plant life growing in the Indian Canyon area, causing further risk of increased flooding and debris flows to Glen Eden and adjacent neighborhoods. Temescal Valley sits on the Elsinore Fault which seismologists say can produce a 7.2–7.5 magnitude earthquake. The location of the 1910 Elsinore 6.0 quake is estimated to be slightly south of the intersection of Temescal Canyon Road and Indian Truck Trail which places it in the path of the proposed transmission lines and towers adjacent to Lee Lake. Also, the project’s 500-kV lines would span the I-15 freeway, one of only two north/south routes in Temescal Valley. If an earthquake downed the lines, a disaster could occur because Temescal Valley evacuation routes are a concern. A study, released in August 2019, by San Francisco-based traffic analytics company StreetLight Data, identified 100 communities across the country with populations under 40,000 that have the most limited means of escaping disasters such as wildfires and earthquakes. It found that 14 of those communities were in California. Only one was in Riverside County – it was Temescal Valley. A recent update to the study looked at 30,000 towns across the U.S., narrowed the number down to 675 based on the number of exits in each community, and Temescal Valley placed 76^th nationally in lacking sufficient evacuation routes.

B.  The project will damage heritage, cultural and environmental resources.
The Temescal Valley area for centuries was populated by Luiseño and Juaneño Native American tribes, drawn to the area by the natural hot springs that flow here. There are numerous historical artifacts, evidence of ancient villages and human remains that have been found throughout Temescal Valley, including the area surrounding Lee Lake. The Historic Properties Management Plan must address these issues. While Lake Elsinore appears to be the primary concern of the Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians, we do not want the importance of the Lee Lake area overlooked. Grading for transmission tower pads and construction of a proposed switchyard adjacent to the lake could cause the loss of invaluable and precious resources. Additionally, much of the path of the LEAPS transmission lines and towers through Temescal Valley falls within the Western Riverside County Regional Conservation Authority’s Multiple Habitat Species Conservation Plan. The plan protects 146 native species of plants, birds, and animals, and preserves a half-million acres of their habitats.

Construction activities on tower pads and the Lee Lake Switchyard will lead to temporary and permanent loss of native vegetation and could threaten protected animal and bird species.

C. The project will hinder the economic development of Temescal Valley.
As an unincorporated Riverside County area, it is the desire of Temescal Valley community leaders to become a self-governing incorporated city. To do so, we must increase the community’s assessed valuation and sales-tax base to provide sufficient revenues to support incorporation. The proposed route of the transmission lines and towers, and the location of the Lee Lake Switchyard are planned in an area recently zoned by the county for two commercial/retail complexes and a 258-unit apartment complex to facilitate the state’s mandated Regional Housing Needs Assessment for affordable housing. The approval of the LEAPS project would jeopardize these developments.

D. The project must have an Environmental Impact Statement with full scoping.
Since the creation of an outdated EIS for this project 15 years ago, much proposed development has been approved in the area directly in the path of the transmission lines and where the Lee Lake Switchyard is to be constructed. These include 196 acres of residential development and 73 acres of commercial/retail development. A new EIS was being created for LEAPS P-14227-003 at the time the project was dismissed by FERC. It is imperative that work progresses on the document and that the process allows full public scoping. The owners of that acreage have a right to be heard.

(Published February 2022)

LEAPS IS DOWN, BUT DON’T COUNT IT OUT
FERC dismisses application for license; preliminary permit now sought by Nevada Hydro

When this website last reported on The Nevada Hydro Company’s Lake Elsinore Advanced Pump Storage (LEAPS) project, federal agencies were beginning work on the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). Many new developments have occurred since then.

NOV. 15:  The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) was notified by the U.S. Forest Service and told the agency could go no further in its talks with Nevada Hydro to complete the studies FERC requested in April 2021.

This was after FERC several times had ordered both parties to resolve their differences and move on with the studies needed for the EIS.

According to the Forest Service, Nevada Hydro wanted a license decision on its LEAPS project prior to continuing with the studies and the environmental process. The Forest Service said it was unable to consider issuing a Special Use Authorization to Nevada Hydro without the studies being completed.

DEC. 8:  FERC received communication from the State Water Resources Control Board accusing Nevada Hydro of using delay tactics to undermine the board’s compliance with legal and environmental requirements for the LEAPS project.

DEC. 9:  FERC sent communication to Nevada Hydro stating its license application for LEAPS had been dismissed “without prejudice” based on the Forest Service’s allegation the company wasn’t providing the necessary information to consider issuing a Special Use Authorization for the project. Nevada Hydro was told it had 30 days to request a rehearing.

Read the Dec. 9 dismissal notice here:.
https://www.wearetv.org/blog/docs/dismiss.PDF

DEC. 10:  Nevada Hydro quickly responded submitting an application for a preliminary permit.

DEC. 13:   FERC responded, denying the application because, “a preliminary permit conflicts with the license application for the same project.”

JAN. 7:   Nevada Hydro asked FERC to grant a rehearing on the dismissal and reinstate the license application or approve a temporary stay on the dismissal until July 1 to give the company time to complete the Forest Service studies.

Nevada Hydro related if its license application wasn’t dismissed without advance warning, the company would have let the Commission know of its change of circumstances – it was in receivership.

The plaintiff in the receivership is Daytona Power Corp., described as a “newly-formed” renewable energy company in Carson City, Nev., and owned by Grafton Asset Management.

It was Grafton, an energy sector investment management company based in Canada, that Nevada Hydro, in 2017, told FERC would assist with the funding for LEAPS.

Nevada Hydro said it risked irreparable harm if FERC denied a rehearing and did not stay dismissal of the license application. The company explained it did not own the property upon which LEAPS would be built and its most “substantial asset” to serve as collateral for investors was the license application.

Nevada Hydro told FERC the only way to protect its more than $30 million investment in the project was to keep the license application in place for a reasonable length of time while it worked to satisfy the Forest Service’s study needs. Nevada Hydro emphasized that the company’s new management was committed to addressing what the Forest Service needed to advance the license application.

With the Dec. 9 dismissal, Nevada Hydro was told it could plead its case if it thought an error was made in the final decision, but the alleged error must be stated in the request for the rehearing.

Nevada Hydro acknowledged no error had been made to warrant a rehearing but, instead, outlined the financial impact of the court-ordered receivership and the loss of its most important asset – the license application.

Read the Jan. 7 rehearing request here:
https://wearetv.org/blog/docs/rehearing.pdf

JAN. 24:  The city of Lake Elsinore and the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians both filed briefs with FERC itemizing reasons why the rehearing request should be denied. The city provided court documents from the receivership with representatives from both old and new management accusing each other of mismanagement of Nevada Hydro.

FEB. 7:   FERC sent Nevada Hydro notification that the request for a rehearing had been denied.

FEB. 8:  Nevada Hydro filed an application for a preliminary permit for the LEAPS project under docket number P-15261-000. In its explanation to FERC, Nevada Hydro reasoned because its application for a license was dismissed without prejudice, the company could refile after it provided the Forest Service with the requested information.

Nevada Hydro told FERC it was now working with the Forest Service on obtaining the information and once it had satisfied the agency’s needs, would “promptly” refile the license application. Nevada Hydro said it expected to complete the process within the next few months and once the license application is refiled, it would withdraw its application for a preliminary permit.

Nevada Hydro said it was filing the preliminary permit application now to keep others from filing permit applications for the LEAPS site.

Read the Feb. 8 preliminary permit request here:
https://wearetv.org/blog/docs/prelimap.PDF

FEB. 7:  But Blue Water Renewable Development LLC, a day earlier, had filed an application for a preliminary permit for the Blue Water Energy Storage Project to be built at Lake Elsinore.

In the filing, Blue Water described a project similar to LEAPS with a few differences. There was a smaller footprint for U.S. Forest Service land use and the route of the 500-kV transmission lines was changed.

The lines would not cross Temescal Valley between Glen Eden and Sycamore Creek, but would descend from the Santa Ana Mountains, run south of Horsethief Canyon Ranch, and cross the I-15 to connect to SCE’s Valley-Serrano lines at the proposed Alberhill substation. The substation, located in Temescal Valley on Concordia Ranch Road, has yet to receive approval from the California Public Utilities Commission.

FEB. 11:  Just as quickly as Blue Water had filed the application, it withdrew its request. “Upon consideration of additional facts and circumstances, Blue Water has decided to withdraw its Application,” was the only reason given.

It’s unknown the next steps FERC will take in processing Nevada Hydro’s application for a preliminary permit.

(Published August 2020)

EIS SCOPING: IT’S TIME TO SEND COMMENTS TO FERC

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is seeking scoping comments from the public as it begins to prepare the Environmental Impact Statement for the Lake Elsinore Advanced Pump Storage (LEAPS) project.

Nevada Hydro Company Inc. wants to build the project in the Cleveland National Forest with 32 miles of 500kV transmission lines strung on 150- to 200-foot steel towers.

The plan calls for water from Lake Elsinore to be pumped at night into a to-be-constructed reservoir in the Santa Ana Mountains above the lake and then returned by gravity to generate electricity through turbines.

One set of transmission lines – 13 miles in length, would run northwest across the Santa Ana Mountains then head north, crossing Temescal Valley and the I-15 to connect to Edison’s Valley-Serrano lines that run across the Temescal Mountains. A switchyard will be constructed at Lee Lake. Glen Eden, Sycamore Creek and Terramor would be the closest communities to the lines.

The other set of lines would head southwest from the pumped storage facility and run 19 miles to connect with San Diego Gas & Electric lines.

Public comments submitted should address points outlined in the Scoping Document or environmental issues not included in the document.

View the Scoping Document HERE

ACTION NEEDED NOW

FERC strongly encourages electronic filing. The public can submit brief comments up to 6,000 characters, without prior registration, using the eComment system at: https://ferconline.ferc.gov/QuickComment.aspx
Follow the directions on the page. It’s best to prewrite your comments in a Word doc and then copy and paste into the eComment template. FERC prefers that comments be kept short and to the point. The first page of any filing should include docket number P-14227-003. You must include your name and contact information at the end of your comments.
Longer comments also can be submitted online, but registration is required at:
https://ferconline.ferc.gov/FERCOnline.aspx

Comments also can be snail-mailed to:
Secretary
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
888 First Street NE
Washington, DC 20426

Deadline for comments is Monday, Aug. 17

DON’T KNOW WHAT TO SAY? HERE’S HELP

The WeAreTV Development Committee with the Sycamore Creek Community Association and Glen Eden Corporation are submitting scoping comments to FERC. If you want to but don’t know what to say, here are the impacts the LEAPS project will have on Temescal Valley. Use whatever you feel is most important.

PUBLIC SAFETY: The transmission lines through Temescal Valley would traverse a “very high” wildfire susceptibility area, a 100-year flood and dam inundation zone, and a seismic activity area associated with the Elsinore Fault Zone. Weather-wise, the project lies in the Elsinore Convergence Zone noted for extreme weather patterns including tornados. The lines would cross both the I-15 freeway and Temescal Canyon Road, the only north-south evacuation routes for Temescal Valley in case of a major disaster. There are no east-west roadways into or out of the area. Downed lines across the freeway and/or Temescal Canyon Road would hinder residential evacuation efforts.

INHIBIT FIRE-FIGHTING EFFORTS: Temescal Valley is prone to wildfires. Aircraft are utilized to fight blazes, most notably the August 2018 Holy Fire, when thousands of residents were evacuated. The lines and towers would impede aerial firefighters in accessing an inferno. The transmission lines, towers and switchyard adjacent to Lee Lake would inhibit the aircraft’s ability to draw water from the lake.

INHIBIT AREA GROWTH: Riverside County has approved land use and zoning changes to property adjacent to and under the planned transmission lines, including 196 acres of residential development and 73 acres of commercial/retail development. This much-needed development is at risk of being lost, thus adversely affecting the area economy and Temescal Valley’s ability to become an incorporated city.

CONSERVATION: The lines would traverse land area within the Western Riverside County Regional Conservation Authority (RCA), jurisdiction. Construction of the towers and associated facilities would cause harm to some of the 146 species of endangered and threatened animals, birds, insects and plants protected by the RCA’s Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan.

CULTURAL HERITAGE: The Temescal Valley area for centuries was populated by Luiseño and Juaneño Native American tribes, drawn to the area by the natural hot springs that flow here. There are numerous historical artifacts throughout the area. Grading for tower pads and construction of a proposed switchyard adjacent to Lee Lake could cause the loss of invaluable and precious antiquities. We strongly urge that Temescal Valley and the Lee Lake area be included in the Historic Properties Management Plan.

VISTAS: The transmission towers, lines and the construction of related facilities would impact the view from the I-15 freeway, which has been designated a State Eligible Scenic Highway.

EDISON PROJECT: Southern California Edison has begun construction on the Valley-IvyGlen 115kV subtransmission lines with completion expected mid-2022. These lines will cross the I-15 freeway almost exactly where the Nevada Hydro transmission towers and lines are proposed.

(Published November 2019)

FERC tells Nevada Hydro to give Forest Service info

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), was expected to soon issue a Notice of Intent (NOI), to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), for Nevada Hydro Company’s Lake Elsinore Advanced Pumped Storage (LEAPS), project.

The NOI usually includes dates of scoping meetings where details of the project are presented and the public can ask questions and offer comments, but it now appears the NOI will be delayed.

The U.S. Forest Service in October let FERC know it did not have sufficient information from Nevada Hydro to work jointly with other Federal agencies in compiling its environmental data.

FERC, in a Nov. 22 communication, informed Nevada Hydro that withholding the needed information could result in the Forest Service having to develop a supplemental EIS at a later date, which would be inconsistent with the intent to have a single environmental document that supports each agency’s permitting decision.

FERC told Nevada Hydro before it issues the NOI, “Nevada Hydro must consult with the Forest Service to develop a plan and schedule for providing the requested information and file monthly progress reports with the Commission on the status of the consultation and development of the additional information.”
Read the document here: https://www.wearetv.org/blog/docs/noi.pdf

(Published September 2019)

Deadline nears for LEAPS protests, interventions

It’s been a busy month for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), since its July 26 announcement that it had accepted the application for a license submitted by the Nevada Hydro Company Inc. for the controversial Lake Elsinore Advanced Pump Storage (LEAPS), project.

FERC also announced a 60-day period for the public to send protests and for interested parties/agencies to submit motions to intervene which gives citizens and groups the ability to challenge in court FERC’s final decision on the project.

FERC, almost daily, is receiving protests and motions to intervene. Among notable intervention requests received are those from the U.S. Forest Service, city of Lake Elsinore, Sen. Jeff Stone of the 28^th District and Sen. Richard Roth of the 31^st District, and Assemblywoman Melissa Melendez of the 67^th District. Riverside County now is working on its motion to intervene notice.

More locally, intervention notices have been submitted by Glen Eden Sun Club and the Sycamore Creek HOA. Read the notices:
Glen Eden Corporation
Sycamore Creek Community Association

The deadline for protests and motions to intervene is quickly approaching – Tuesday, Sept. 24.

HOW TO SUBMIT A PROTEST

Protests can be submitted to FERC via its eComment page on the website:
https://ferconline.ferc.gov/QuickComment.aspx

Follow the directions on the page. It’s best to prewrite your comments in a Word doc and then copy and paste into the eComment template. Begin your comments with:

“PROTEST” (in all caps)
NEVADA HYDRO COMPANY, INC. PROJECT NO. P-14227
Objections to acceptance of the Final License Application for the Lake Elsinore Advanced Pumped Storage Project
Your name, address and phone number
And then list your reasons for protesting

Comments also can be snail-mailed to:
The Honorable Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
888 First Street NE
Washington, DC 20426

                                           DEADLINE IS SEPT. 24

(Published August 2019)

LEAPS APPLICATION ACCEPTED; PROTESTS DUE

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), in response to a request the Nevada Hydro Company, Inc. (NHC), submitted in June, has accepted the application for the Lake Elsinore Advanced Pump Storage (LEAPS), project.

FERC made the announcement July 26 and set a 60-day period for the public to submit protests and for interested parties/agencies to solicit motions to intervene. The deadline for protests and motions is Sept. 24. Filing a protest now gives citizens and groups the ability to challenge FERC’s final decision on the project in court.

In making its request to FERC for expedited acceptance of its license application, NHC said it was on target to the meet the deadlines that had been set for a few lingering study areas. NHC also asked FERC to move forward with its environmental analysis without seeking additional public comments.

NHC told FERC all interested parties have had 15 months to comment which many have done. NHC noted that none of the comments nor any information disclosed in each of the approved study areas have introduced new issues that were not covered in the 2007 Environmental Impact Statement associated with NHC’s first application.

In announcing the acceptance of the application, FERC wrote, “This application has been accepted for filing, but is not ready for environmental analysis at this time.” No mention was made of not requiring scoping meetings for public comments during the environmental analysis.

Temescal Valley resident’s primary concern about the LEAPS project are the 500-kV transmission lines. The lines would run northwest from a starting point above Lake Elsinore in the Santa Ana mountains then head north, running between Sycamore Creek and Glen Eden, and crossing De Palma Road and the I-15 just south of the Sycamore Creek shopping center to connect to Edison’s Valley-Serrano lines that run across the Temescal Mountains above Lee Lake.

Since the Holy Fire, many residents worry about wildfires started by downed transmission lines and how they impede the ability of firefighters to use planes and helicopters to make chemical and water drops. Additionally, the LEAPS lines would be next to Lee Lake that was used as a water source for helicopters during the Holy Fire.

City asks FERC to correct deficiencies in water-quality study

While the Nevada Hydro Company thought it had submitted in January its final Lake Elsinore water-quality study requested by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the city wasn’t quite as sure.

The city of Lake Elsinore hired Stillwater Sciences, a water-quality consultant, to provide a peer review on the effect the LEAPS project would have on the water in the lake.

The consulting company found several deficiencies in NHC’s water-quality studies and concluded, “… the report does not provide a clear water quality assessment of LEAPS operations over the long-term.”

On Aug. 2, the city sent the full peer review to FERC asking the agency to require NHC to correct the deficiencies found in its water-quality study. To learn more:
http://www.lake-elsinore.org/Home/Components/News/News/2422/26

(Published April 2019)

U.S. Forest Service says ‘No’ to LEAPS Fire Study Plan

Lake Elsinore residents last week applauded their City Council for a unanimous vote to go on record in opposition to the Lake Elsinore Advanced Pump Storage (LEAPS) project. But a letter sent by the U.S. Forest Service to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) on April 10 gives Temescal Valley residents a reason to celebrate.

Here’s a little background for readers new to the ongoing LEAPS saga. The Nevada Hydro Company, headquartered in San Diego County, is seeking FERC approval to build the controversial project. LEAPS would pump water from Lake Elsinore at night up to a to-be-constructed reservoir in the Decker Canyon area of the Cleveland National Forest. The water then would be returned to the lake via gravity to generate electricity through turbines. The project also calls for 32 miles of overhead 500 kV transmission lines that would connect to SDG&E and SCE lines.

One set of lines would descend in a northerly direction from the Santa Ana Mountains and cross Temescal Valley between the Sycamore Creek and Glen Eden communities. The lines would continue east across the I-15 freeway and connect to Edison lines in the foothills of the Temescal Mountains.

Many Temescal Valley residents oppose the project because of the possible fire danger associated with powerlines – whether igniting a fire or impeding aircraft ability to fight a fire, and the U.S. Forest Service communication to FERC on April 10 underlined the same concerns.

In its licensing process, FERC found certain elements of the overall LEAPS project to need additional studies – one being a Fire Study Plan. In March, Nevada Hydro submitted a plan to FERC, indicating that after consulting with the Forest Service, a “final study plan has been completed with no disagreements between the Forest Service and the company.”

The Forest Service, in its April 10 communication, disagreed, stating that none of its concerns or comments were included in the fire plan submitted by Nevada Hydro. The letter read in part, “The plan lacks the analysis we’ve requested to determine how the proposed project could impact fire risk and fire management activities within the Cleveland National Forest.”

The letter itemized the agency’s issues with Nevada Hydro’s plan and requested Forest Service concerns and comments be incorporated and assessed in the
Final LEAPS Fire Study Plan. Nevada Hydro’s final study plans are due to FERC June 30.

The significance of the Forest Service’s objections is that it is a federal agency, as is FERC.

While local opposition, such as the vote taken by the Lake Elsinore City Council is notable, neither city, county or state can approve or deny the project – only FERC has the final say.

Residents and local governing agencies opposed to the project should support the U.S. Forest Service’s latest objections.

HOW TO COMMUNICATE WITH FERC

To let FERC know you support the Forest Service requests outlined in its April 10 communication, submit your comments via the agency’s online eComment page. Use an Internet Explorer browser:
https://ferconline.ferc.gov/QuickComment.aspx

Follow the directions on the page. It’s best to prewrite your comments in a Word doc and then copy and paste into the eComment template. The docket number is P-14227.

Begin your comments with — Re: Support of the U.S. Forest Service communication dated April 10 regarding Project No. P-14227

Here’s the agency’s two-page letter to FERC to help you with your comments:
https://www.wearetv.org/blog/docs/usfs.pdf

(Published Oct. 12, 2018)

FERC denies Nevada Hydro request to be declared transmission project

Earlier this year The Nevada Hydro Company asked the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), for a declaratory order designating the Lake Elsinore Advanced Pump Storage (LEAPS), project as a transmission project instead of a storage project.

The request could be considered premature as FERC has yet to rule on granting a license for LEAPS. But, the agency did rule on Nevada Hydro’s request for the declaratory order.

Late last month, FERC announced its decision: “We dismiss Nevada Hydro’s petition and find that a request to designate LEAPS as a transmission facility is premature at this time. LEAPS has not been studied in the CAISO TPP (California Independent System Operators’ Transmission Planning Process), to determine whether it addresses a transmission need identified through that process, and, if such a need were met, how the facility would be operated. Absent such information, the commission cannot make a reasoned decision on whether LEAPS is a transmission project and thus eligible for cost recovery under the transmission access charge.”

FERC had received much written opposition to Nevada Hydro’s request, most notably from CAISO, Southern California Edison and the California Public Utilities Commission.

(Published Sept. 12, 2018)

Lawsuit settled; deadline nears for study requests

EVMWD will supply LEAPS water; must pay Nevada Hydro $2 million

A press release jointly issued Aug. 29 by the Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District and The Nevada Hydro Company quietly announced that a settlement had been reached in the $24 million lawsuit the hydroelectric company filed in September 2012 against the water district.

The lawsuit claimed breach of contract by the water district when in 2011 the district terminated a 1997 agreement it had with Nevada Hydro for its Lake Elsinore Advanced Pump Storage project (LEAPS).

The press release stated: “After many years of litigation, the Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District (EVMWD) and The Nevada Hydro Company (Nevada Hydro) have reached a settlement of litigation regarding a 1997 development agreement. ‘We have agreed to the settlement to protect EVMWD’s rate payers from the costs of ongoing litigation and to avoid exposure to millions in damages,’ said John D. Vega, general manager for EVMWD. The San Diego County Superior Court has entered a consent judgment approving the settlement agreement.”

What the press release didn’t say:

• Basically, EVMWD will sell to Nevada Hydro and purchase if necessary the “initial fill” of 15,000 acre-feet of water for the LEAPS project and charge Nevada Hydro a 10 percent administrative fee based on its cost to purchase the water. EVMWD will purchase additional water as needed and sell it to Nevada Hydro.
• The water district will return to Nevada Hydro $154,852, the amount that Nevada Hydro claims was erroneously refunded to EVMWD by the U.S. Forest Service.
• EVMWD must within 30 days of the settlement pay Nevada Hydro $2 million in additional monetary compensation for dismissal of the lawsuit.
• The water district is expressly forbidden to oppose Nevada Hydro and/or the LEAPS project and must withdraw any opposition issued in the past and to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).

Read the consent judgment and settlement agreement:

COURT DOCUMENT 1
COURT DOCUMENT 2

Nevada Hydro response for additional studies due Sept. 13

In June, FERC determined that 12 requests for additional studies for the LEAPS project from the 34 submitted held merit and that further evaluation was necessary. FERC gave Nevada Hydro a deadline of Sept. 13 to submit the additional studies.

Three of the 12 studies have direct impact on Temescal Valley: Study 30 – Visual Simulations, Study 33 – Cultural Resources and Study 34 – Alternative Northern Transmission Alignments.

In Study 34, the report found that the alignment of the northern lines running east from the mountains and across Temescal Valley needs more study because of the area’s development in the past 10 years.

Nevada Hydro was told the study should be done in consultation with area residential communities, including Sycamore Creek, Terramor and the not-yet-approved Lakeside community.

In August, Nevada Hydro emailed Sycamore Creek, Terramor and possibly Lakeside (not confirmed), outlining its reasoning for choosing the alignment it did. The 500-kV transmission lines would run from the mountains above Lake Elsinore in a northerly direction and cross Temescal Valley between Sycamore Creek and Glen Eden. The lines would cross the freeway to a switchyard to be constructed at Lee Lake and then continue northeasterly to connect to Edison’s Valley-Serrano lines.

Nevada Hydro explained two other alignment possibilities. Alternative 1 would keep the lines in the Cleveland National Forest where they would join the Valley-Serrano lines on the west side of the freeway instead of the east side. Nevada Hydro said this alternative was too costly.

Alternative 2 would have the lines descending from the mountains but crossing Alberhill Ranch and the Pacific Clay property and run adjacent to the southeastern border of Horsethief Canyon Ranch. The lines could connect to a switchyard built on the Edison property at Concordia Ranch and Temescal Canyon roads and continue northeast to connect to the Valley-Serrano lines above Lee Lake. Nevada Hydro said Pacific Clay had objected to the lines running across its property, plus the transmission towers would be close to Horsethief.

In deference to Sycamore Creek protests that the lines were too close to that community, Nevada Hydro said it would change the route to the south side of Glen Eden which would place the lines farther away from Sycamore Creek, but closer to Glen Eden.

In its email, Nevada Hydro asked the recipients to submit comments on the alignment by Sept. 6. Comments from the Sycamore Creek attorney stated the community’s preferred alignment would be Alternative 1 – to keep the lines in the forest and on the west side of the freeway.

Although not consulted by Nevada Hydro, Glen Eden submitted comments also favoring Alternative 1.

Read the documents:
Study 34 – Alternative Northerly Alignments
Sycamore Creek response
Glen Eden response

(Published July 13, 2018)

FOIA request to FERC produces 2 documents

‘Privileged’ info indicates Nevada Hydro will get water;
EVMWD lawsuit mediated

By JANNLEE WATSON
Communications Chairwoman
We Are Temescal Valley

Because of redactions made to documents I requested from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, it’s difficult to pinpoint who will be the water supplier for Nevada Hydro’s LEAPS project. The documents, despite the redactions, strongly indicate that water will be available and negotiations between the company, Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District (EVMWD), and other entities are progressing. But – let’s start at the beginning.

In January, FERC notified Nevada Hydro of several deficiencies and the need for additional information in its license application filed for the LEAPS project. The company was given 90 days to respond.

READ THE REDACTED
FOIA DOCUMENTS
DOCUMENT 1
DOCUMENT 2

Nevada Hydro’s response was published April 3 on FERC’s online-accessible eLibrary, which included many documents responding to the request for more information. Most all the documents were available to the public, but two – how Nevada Hydro planned to keep the level of Lake Elsinore above 1,240 feet and who was going to supply the additional water needed for the reservoir and daily evaporation – were determined to be “privileged,” meaning not available for public review.

On April 10, I sent an email to FERC requesting the documents under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). After being notified of my request, Nevada Hydro on April 27 opposed release of the documents citing private financial details, including rate information, with potential water suppliers for the project.

The company argued that public disclosure of certain portions of the documents “would reveal internal business strategies, trade secrets, deliberations and views of negotiations that made it exempt from disclosure under FOIA Exemption 4.”

FERC agreed with Nevada Hydro’s assessment, and I received on May 8 a copy of a letter sent to Nevada Hydro by FERC stating it intended to release the documents to me but would redact (black out) portions containing confidential business-related information.

After two follow-up requests to FERC (“Where are the documents?”), I received them earlier this month.

In the first document, Nevada Hydro proposes to pre-purchase 15,000 acre-feet of water to fill the Decker Canyon reservoir and raise the level of Lake Elsinore by three feet. The company also plans to enter a long-term water agreement to purchase enough water to offset evaporative losses at the lake associated with the LEAPS project.

Nevada Hydro explains in detail why the water purchases would “ensure that the elevation of Lake Elsinore with the LEAPS project would always be higher than the elevation of Lake Elsinore without the LEAPS project.”

The amount of water needed to assure the lake level would not fall lower than 1,240 feet was based on two hydrology studies cited in the document.

The company also noted that with the lake level no lower than 1,240 feet, the aeration effects the project would have on the lake would make it more able to support “substantially larger and more robust populations of warm-water fish, which in turn will substantially enhance recreation and fishing at Lake Elsinore.”

Two pages of the seven-page document under the subheading “Negotiating Agreements in Principle – Current Status,” were redacted. Unfortunately, this section probably explained additional methodology and named the water supplier or suppliers with whom Nevada Hydro is negotiating.

The document ends with Nevada Hydro reminding FERC that the author of one of the studies cited in the document is now engaged in 500 additional hours of analysis on implementation of the company’s plan and will let the commission know when the study is complete.

The second document is a copy of a court order regarding the lawsuit Nevada Hydro filed in September 2012 against EVMWD. The lawsuit claimed breach of contract by the water district when in 2011 the district terminated a 1997 LEAPS agreement it had with Nevada Hydro.

The lawsuit was scheduled to begin last September before a San Diego County Superior Court jury. Water district officials, when asked about the status of the lawsuit, have offered no response saying they can’t discuss pending litigation.

The court document I received dealt with an extended stay of action for the lawsuit and continued status conferences.

It claims that the parties have privately mediated their dispute and “developed a framework for the potential settlement of this action, which included the negotiation of a possible Water Supply/Management Agreement” for the LEAPS project.

In ordering the extended stay of action, the legal document concluded: “… the Parties mutually desire to continue their good faith negotiations toward a possible Water Supply/Management Agreement that would provide a water supply for the LEAPS project, improve Lake Elsinore water levels and water quality, and provide a pathway for global resolution of this litigation.”

The stay also was ordered because “such negotiations will necessarily involve third party vendors and/or suppliers and will require additional time to explore.”

A status conference has been scheduled 9 a.m., Friday, July 27 before Judge Timothy M. Casserly in Dept. 31 of the North County Regional Center, 325 S. Melrose Drive, Vista.

You can read the documents here:

DOCUMENT 1
DOCUMENT 2

(Published June 15, 2018)

Additional studies warranted for 12 of the 34 submitted

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission today released an important document in Nevada Hydro’s quest to obtain a license for the LEAPS project.

FERC determined that 12 requests for additional studies from the 34 submitted held merit and that further evaluation is necessary. At least three of the 12 have direct impact on Temescal Valley: Study 30 – Visual Simulations, Study 33 – Cultural Resources and Study 34 – Alternative Northern Transmission Alignments.

FERC had concerns that earlier visual simulations of how the project will look didn’t take into consideration new and proposed development in Temescal Valley and other areas. Additional study also is needed for Luiseno cultural resources in the Lee Lake area. The report found that the alignment of the northern lines running east from the mountains and across Temescal Valley needs more study because of the area’s development in the past 10 years – Glen Eden, Terramor, Sycamore Creek, Horsethief Canyon Ranch and the yet-to-be approved Lakeside community were specifically named.

The Nevada Hydro deadline to file the required study plans is Sept. 13.

Read what FERC says needs additional study and why:
https://www.wearetv.org/blog/docs/studies.pdf

(Published Jan. 14, 2018)

LEAPS in the news

Did you miss the Jan. 13, 2018 Press-Enterprise update on the controversial Lake Elsinore Advanced Pumped Storage project? You can read it HERE.

As referenced in the Press-Enterprise report, here is the Jan. 3, 2018 communication to Nevada Hydro from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission outlining the deficiencies the agency has found in the final license application:
https://www.wearetv.org/blog/docs/deficiencies.pdf

Also, Nevada Hydro has sent communication to FERC outlining its initial response to some requests for additional studies: https://www.wearetv.org/blog/docs/response.pdf

(Published Dec. 11, 2017)

What’s next for the LEAPS project?

What’s the next step for Nevada Hydro’s Lake Elsinore Advanced Pumped Storage project (LEAPS), now that the deadline has passed for additional study requests?

We contacted James Fargo at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC.) It appears the process will be a long one with the first step being a review of all requests submitted for additional studies and the determination of which requests are valid.

Here’s what Fargo stated in an email:

The issuance of the Ready for Environmental Analysis (REA), Notice and subsequent milestones will not occur until the additional information needs of Commission staff on the final license application have been satisfied, which may include the completion of any needed additional studies.  The milestones that provide opportunities for stakeholder input are highlighted in red.

• Additional study requests due
• Issue Scoping Document 1 for comments
• Public Scoping Meetings
• Comments on Scoping Document 1 due
• Issue Scoping Document 2 (if necessary)
• Issue REA Notice soliciting comments, recommendations, terms and conditions, and prescriptions
• Comments, recommendations, terms and conditions, and prescriptions due
• Issue updated EIS
• Comments on updated EIS due
• Issue final EIS (if necessary)

Several requests for studies were submitted just prior to the Dec. 1 deadline, including one from the U.S. Department of Agriculture with concerns about the Cleveland National Forest – among them the Decker Canyon Reservoir, the design of the transmission lines, fire hazards and the outdated Environmental Impact Statement.

Many study requests came from Sycamore Creek residents and one petition (many different ones, plus form letters were submitted), had more than 1,000 signatures.

(Published Nov. 28, 2017)

DEADLINE FOR COMMENTS IS FRIDAY. DEC. 1

HOW TO SUBMIT ADDITIONAL STUDY REQUESTS
Requests for additional studies can be submitted to FERC via its eComment page on the website. Use an Internet Explorer browser:
https://ferconline.ferc.gov/QuickComment.aspx

Follow the directions on the page. It’s best to prewrite your comments in a Word doc and then copy and paste into the eComment template. The docket number is P-14227. Begin your comments with:
Re: Lake Elsinore Advanced Pumped Storage Project
Project No. P-14227-003

NEW INFO: A copy of your request sent to FERC for additional studies also MUST BE emailed to Rex Waite at Nevada Hydro:
Rex@leapshydro.com

Here are the latest the comments sent to FERC:

From Congressman Ken Calvert
From Assemblywoman Melissa Melendez
From Riverside County
From Lake Elsinore & San Jacinto Watersheds Authority

(Published Nov. 9, 2017)

UPDATE ON LEAPS …

There seems to be disagreement between Southern California Edison and Nevada Hydro Co. about the connection point of the LEAPS project’s northern transmission lines, which could change the path of those lines if the hydro-power project is approved.

Speaking at the Nov. 8 Temescal Valley Municipal Advisory Council meeting, Edison’s Jeremy Goldman said the lines will connect to the proposed Alberhill substation. If the substation plan gains approval by the California Public Utilities Commission, it will be constructed on 124 acres of SCE-owned land at the corner of Temescal Canyon and Concordia Ranch roads east of the 1-15 and close to the 1,900-home Horsethief Canyon Ranch neighborhood.

In filing its Final License Application with FERC, Nevada Hydro shows the connection point to be a switchyard it will build near Lee Lake with the lines continuing north to join Edison’s Valley-Serrano lines that run across the Temescal Mountains. The path to the Lee Lake switchyard would pass very close to the Glen Eden, Terramor, Sycamore Creek and Horsethief Canyon communities.

If the connection point is the Alberhill substation, about three miles south of the proposed  Lee Lake switchyard, it is presumed the path of the lines would be changed, with major impact to  Horsethief Canyon Ranch residents.

When questioned further, Goldman directed people to read Edison’s communication to FERC dated Sept. 22, 2017.

Here’s the Edison Letter:
https://www.wearetv.org/blog/docs/SCE.pdf

In the meantime, the countdown continues toward the Friday, Dec. 1 deadline for requests to be submitted to FERC asking for additional scientific studies for the LEAPS project.

The We Are Temescal Valley Development Committee urges residents, especially those living in Sycamore Creek, Glen Eden, Terramor and Horsethief Canyon Ranch, to request a new Environmental Impact Statement for the project.

The EIS that Nevada Hydro is using for the project was prepared in January 2007. Since that time, Riverside County has approved land use changes to property adjacent to and under the path of the proposed northern transmission lines, including Terramor and new Sycamore Creek neighborhoods. The impact of such an intensive project should be studied under current conditions, not those of almost 11 years ago.

The city of Lake Elsinore, the Riverside County Transportation & Land Management Agency and the Lake Elsinore & San Jacinto Watersheds Authority soon will be submitting requests for additional studies. Local Congressman Ken Calvert is resubmitting his request next week.

HOW TO SUBMIT ADDITIONAL STUDY REQUESTS
Requests for additional studies can be submitted to FERC via its eComment page on the website. Use an Internet Explorer browser:
https://ferconline.ferc.gov/QuickComment.aspx

Follow the directions on the page. It’s best to prewrite your comments in a Word doc and then copy and paste into the eComment template. The docket number is P-14227. Begin your comments with:
Re: Lake Elsinore Advanced Pumped Storage Project
Project No. P-14227-003

NEW INFO: A copy of your request sent to FERC for additional studies also MUST BE emailed to Rex Waite at Nevada Hydro:
Rex@leapshydro.com

Comments also can be snail-mailed to:
The Honorable Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
888 First Street NE
Washington, DC 20426

DEADLINE: FRIDAY, DEC. 1

Here’s the FERC Public Notice announcing the current filing period:
https://www.wearetv.org/blog/docs/notice.pdf

Here’s Nevada Hydro’s cover letter for the Final License Application:
https://www.wearetv.org/blog/docs/FLA.pdf

Here’s the Final License Application:
http://nevadahydro.com/index.php/projects/final-license-application/

The following entities already have sent letters opposing the project and/or requesting State and local agency review:

Glen Eden Corporation
Sycamore Creek Community Association
Horsethief Canyon Ranch Community Association
The Retreat Community Association
Terramor at Temescal Valley
Lakeside Temescal Valley
Riverside County 1st District Supervisor Kevin Jeffries
U.S. Rep. Ken Calvert, 42nd Congressional District
Assemblywoman Melissa Melendez, 67th Assembly District
Riverside County Transportation & Land Management Agency
City of Lake Elsinore
Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District
Lake Elsinore & San Jacinto Watersheds Authority
U.S. Department of Agriculture
California Department of Fish and Wildlife
California Water Resources Control Board
Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians
Center for Biodiversity
Sierra Club
San Bernardino Valley Audubon Society
Southern California Edison

(Published Oct. 12, 2017)

LATE-BREAKING NEWS …

Nevada Hydro rep Rex Wait, speaking at the Oct. 11 TV MAC meeting, announced a 60-day public comment period to request additional studies for the LEAPS project.

Request DEADLINE IS DEC. 1. If you submitted earlier comments, those comments must be resubmitted and phrased to request the need for additional studies and your reason for seeking the study.

HOW TO SUBMIT ADDITIONAL STUDY REQUESTS
Requests for additional studies can be submitted to FERC via its eComment page on the website. Use an Internet Explorer browser:

https://ferconline.ferc.gov/QuickComment.aspx

Follow the directions on the page. It’s best to prewrite your comments in a Word doc and then copy and paste into the eComment template. The docket number is P-14227. Begin your comments with:
Re: Lake Elsinore Advanced Pumped Storage Project
Project No. P-14227-003

Comments also can be snail-mailed to:
The Honorable Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
888 First Street NE
Washington, DC 20426

(Published Oct. 7, 2017)

FERC allows license application to be filed and waives requirement for additional review and public scoping

WHO:     Nevada Hydro Speaker
WHAT:   Temescal Valley Municipal Advisory Council
WHEN:   7 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 11
WHERE:  The Trilogy Lodge, 24503 Trilogy Parkway.

Despite protests from many state, county and city agencies, as well as elected officials and concerned citizens, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on Sept. 29 issued its approval to accept a draft license application for a significant hydro-power project without requiring further review or public scoping. This action opened the door for the Nevada Hydro Company Inc. to file a final license application for its LEAPS project, which it did Oct. 2.

This application, with little exception, is based on a 10-year-old environmental impact statement. What comes next? We hope the Nevada Hydro representative who will speak at the Wednesday, Oct. 11 Temescal Valley Municipal Advisory Council  meeting can answer that question. The meeting is at 7 p.m. at the Trilogy Lodge, 24503 Trilogy Parkway.

Here’s the FERC approval: https://www.wearetv.org/blog/docs/FERC.pdf

Here’s Nevada Hydro’s cover letter for the Final License Application: https://www.wearetv.org/blog/docs/FLA.pdf

Here’s the Final License Application:
http://nevadahydro.com/index.php/projects/final-license-application/

(Published Aug. 8, 2017)

Nevada Hydro resubmits LEAPS application to FERC

A request to submit a draft license application for a controversial power project that would greatly impact the Temescal Valley scenic view could be approved at any time by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).

FERC is reviewing the application resubmitted by Nevada Hydro Company Inc. to build its Lake Elsinore Advanced Pump Storage (LEAPS) project in the Cleveland National Forest with 32 miles of 500 kV transmission lines and 170 high-voltage steel towers. Nevada Hydro is asking FERC to accept the draft license application without additional review and public scoping.

The plan calls for water from Lake Elsinore to be pumped at night into a to-be-constructed reservoir and then returned via gravity to generate electricity through turbines.

One set of transmission lines would run northwest across the Santa Ana mountains then head north, crossing Temescal Valley and the I-15 to connect to Edison’s Valley-Serrano lines that run across the Temescal Mountains. Glen Eden, Terramor, Sycamore Creek and Horsethief Canyon Ranch would be the closest communities to the lines.

The other set of lines would head southwest from the pumped storage facility to connect with San Diego Gas & Electric lines.

The project’s intent is to provide additional electricity during peak power usage and to replace electrical output lost with the closure of the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station.

The project was originally submitted in 1995. FERC initially approved the application in the early 2000s but then dismissed it in 2011 because of uncertainty over whether Nevada Hydro had rights to use Lake Elsinore water.

The previous project partner, Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District (EVMWD), backed out of the project and terminated its agreement with Nevada Hydro in 2011. A lawsuit on the water rights issue is scheduled to begin before a San Diego County Superior Court jury on Sept. 22.

The WeAreTV Development Committee is sending a letter to FERC outlining reasons why the application should be denied:

DOWNED POWER LINE SAFETY: According to the Riverside County General Plan’s Temescal Canyon Area Plan, the Temescal Valley portion of the project would traverse a very high wildfire susceptibility area, a 100-year flood and dam inundation zone, and a seismic activity area associated with the Elsinore Fault Zone. Weather-wise, the project lies in the Elsinore Convergence Zone noted for extreme weather patterns including tornados.

The lines would cross both the I-15 freeway and Temescal Canyon Road, the only two north-south evacuation routes in Temescal Valley in case of a major disaster. There are no east-west roadways into or out of the area.

CHANGE IN CONDITIONS: Riverside County has approved land use changes to property adjacent to and under the planned transmission lines since the project’s dismissal in 2011. New development has been constructed. A draft Federal Environmental Impact Statement under National Environmental Protection Agency (NEPA), guidelines was released in January 2007 — 10 years ago. The impact of such an intensive project should be studied under current conditions, not those of 10 or 20 years ago.

CONSERVATION: The lines would traverse land area within the Western Riverside County Regional Conservation Authority (RCA), jurisdiction. Construction of the towers and associated facilities would disturb endangered and threatened species of animals and plants protected by the RCA’s Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan.

VISTAS: The transmission towers, lines and the construction of related facilities would impact the view from the I-15 freeway, which has been designated a State Eligible Scenic Highway.

EDISON PROJECTS: The final Environmental Impact Report has been released for Edison’s Valley-IvyGlen transmission lines and the Alberhill Substation. A public hearing on these projects soon will be scheduled by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). If approved, Edison’s 115 kV subtransmission lines will cross the I-15 freeway almost exactly where the Nevada Hydro transmission towers are proposed.

LACK OF STATE APPROVALS: FERC has indicated it may grant the new application with no additional review. According to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, there is only an outdated Draft Environmental Impact Report for the project that was never approved. There is no current project application before the California Public Utilities Commission.