Daytime and Evening Scoping Meetings for the Seminoe Pumped Storage Project (P-14787-004)

The Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure require all intervenors filing documents with the Commission to serve a copy of that document on each person on the official service list for the project.  Further, if an intervener files comments or documents with the Commission relating to the merits of an issue that may affect the responsibilities of a particular resource agency, they must also serve a copy of the document on that resource agency.

1. This application has been accepted for filing, but is not ready for environmental analysis at this time.

2. Project Description:  The Seminoe Project would utilize Reclamation’s existing 1,017,280 acre-feet Seminoe reservoir on the North Platte River as the lower reservoir and would include the following new facilities:  (1) a 8,498-foot-long circumference, 20-foot wide, 65 to 180-foot-high, roller-compacted concrete dam impounding a 10,800-acre-foot upper reservoir at a crest elevation of 7,445 feet; (2) the dam would have a 200-foot-long concrete, ungated, ogee crest emergency spillway with a crest elevation of 7,446 feet; (3) a 75-foot-diameter, covered bell-mouth intake set near the southwestern edge of the upper reservoir at elevation of 7,295 feet; (4) an approximately 680-foot-long, 32-foot-diameter concrete lined-headrace tunnel connecting to a 615-foot-long, 24-foot-diameter aboveground steel conduit which would extend underground for an additional 2,470 feet before discharging to a 30-foot-diameter vertical, concrete-lined shaft; (5) the vertical shaft then connects to a 165-foot-long, 17-foot-diameter concrete, steel-lined penstock and then to the pump-turbines; (6) three pump-turbines each rated at 324 megawatts (MW) for a combined total generating capacity of 972 MW located in the underground powerhouse (machine hall); (7) an approximately 4,350 foot-long, concrete tailrace channel discharging water to a lower intake structure within the existing Seminoe Reservoir at normal maximum water surface elevation of 6,357 feet; (8) a transformer cavern containing 18 kilovolt (kV) generator step-up transformers for each unit, and a gas-insulated switchgear switchyard; (9) power would be transmitted from the transformer gallery via 765-foot-long horizontal tunnel to a vertical cable shaft up to a take-off structure at the surface, and then via two separate, 500 kV, overhead primary transmission lines extending to the 500 kV interconnection at Aeolus Substation, approximately 30 miles to the southeast of Seminoe Reservoir; (10) an approximately 32-foot-diameter main access tunnel would provide access to the machine hall; (11) a 15-foot-wide, 16-foot-high surge chamber access tunnel lined with shotcrete; (12) an approximately 2.6-mile-long access road around the reservoir; (13) a 40-foot-wide road to the main access tunnel portal, including a new bridge over the tailrace of Seminoe Dam; and (14) appurtenant facilities.  In addition, portions of Western Area Power Administration’s Miracle Mile-Snowy Range 1 115 kV and Miracle Mile-Snowy Range 2 230 kV transmission lines would be relocated around the upper reservoir.  Additionally, the existing Bennett Mountain Road (also called Dry Lake Road) for accessing the proposed upper reservoir site and a section of an existing powerline road for accessing the proposed lower intake structure at Seminoe Reservoir would be upgraded (i.e., widened to 24 feet and realigned in places to reduce steep grades) to accommodate two-way traffic and heavy equipment.

          BCH would draw 13,400 acre-feet of water from Seminoe Reservoir to initially fill the new upper reservoir and would need 672 acre-feet of water each year to replenish water lost through evaporation.  BCH states it would either make contractual arrangements or potentially purchase an additional water right for the annual refill water.  BCH states that generation would depend on grid conditions and market demands but that the project is designed to generate for up to approximately 10 hours each day at maximum generating capacity of 972 MW, or for longer durations at reduced generating output.  In generating mode, the project would have an estimated maximum operating flow rate of 12,600 cubic feet per second (cfs) at maximum hydraulic capacity with all three turbine units operating.  In pumping mode, the project would have an estimated maximum pumping flow rate of 10,500 cfs with all three pumps operating against an upper reservoir minimum operating elevation of 7,350 feet.  The pumping capacity decreases to 8,298 cfs at the upper reservoir maximum operating elevation of 7,445 feet.  The full pumping cycle to recharge the upper reservoir is estimated at approximately 14.6 hours and the maximum generation is 13 hours. 

3. A copy of the application can be viewed on the Commission's website at https://www.ferc.gov using the "eLibrary" link.  Enter the docket number excluding the last three digits in the docket number field to access the document.  For assistance, contact FERC Online Support (see item j above).

          You may also register at https://ferconline.ferc.gov/FERCOnline.aspx to be notified via email of new filings and issuances related to this or other pending projects.  For assistance, please contact FERC Online Support (see item j above).

4. Anyone may submit a protest or a motion to intervene in accordance with the requirements of Rules of Practice and Procedure, 18 CFR §§ 385.210, 385.211, and 385.214.  In determining the appropriate action to take, the Commission will consider all protests filed, but only those who file a motion to intervene in accordance with the Commission's Rules may become a party to the proceeding.  Any protests or motions to intervene must be received on or before the specified deadline date for the particular application.

          When the application is ready for environmental analysis, the Commission will issue a public notice requesting comments, recommendations, terms and conditions, or prescriptions.

          All filings must (1) bear in all capital letters the title "PROTEST" or "MOTION TO INTERVENE;" (2) set forth in the heading the name of the applicant and the project number of the application to which the filing responds; (3) furnish the name, address, and telephone number of the person protesting or intervening; and (4) otherwise comply with the requirements of 18 CFR § 385.2001 through 385.2005.  Agencies may obtain copies of the application directly from the applicant.  A copy of any protest or motion to intervene must be served upon each representative of the applicant specified in the particular application.

5. The Commission’s Office of Public Participation (OPP) supports meaningful public engagement and participation in Commission proceedings.  OPP can help members of the public, including landowners, environmental justice communities, Tribal members and others, access publicly available information and navigate Commission processes.  For public inquiries and assistance with making filings such as interventions, comments, or requests for rehearing, the public is encouraged to contact OPP at (202) 502-6595 or OPP@ferc.gov.
6. The Commission’s scoping process will help determine the required level of analysis and satisfy the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) scoping requirements, irrespective of whether the Commission issues an environmental assessment or an environmental impact statement.