FERC Approves Feasibility Study for Ambitious Hydroelectric Project at Red Lake

KINGMAN — The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) granted a preliminary permit to Gravity Storage LLC for the Red Lake Pumped Storage Project. This feasibility study focuses on a proposed 3,000-megawatt closed-loop energy storage facility, located 35 miles northeast of Kingman on federal land managed by the Bureau of Land Management.

The project aims to generate power by transferring water between an upper and lower reservoir. Water is released over turbines to produce electricity and is subsequently pumped back to the upper reservoir, creating a cyclical process. Gravity Storage submitted its permit application in November.

It is crucial to note that the preliminary permit does not grant access to the land, nor does it allow for any construction activities. Gravity Storage must comply with various laws and regulations for conducting comprehensive field studies. These include assessments on engineering feasibility, economics, environmental impacts, and water supply, particularly concerning groundwater withdrawals and potential effects on Lake Mohave and Lake Mead.

If determined feasible, Gravity Storage may proceed with an application for a full operational license based on the collected data. Proposed infrastructure includes a 500-kilovolt substation and a six-mile-long transmission line connecting to the existing Western Area Power Administration transmission network. The project is expected to yield approximately 13,140 gigawatt-hours annually.

Despite its potential benefits, the Mohave County Board of Supervisors strongly opposes the project, citing concerns over the Hualapai aquifer’s water resources. They argue that local communities would not benefit while water resources could face detrimental effects. Additionally, State Rep. John Gillette echoed these concerns, highlighting a lack of local support.

Comments from the U.S. Department of the Interior raised further alarms, claiming the project may not align with BLM’s Kingman Resource Management Plan and could adversely affect wildlife. In response, Gravity Storage has proposed incorporating floating solar panels on the reservoirs to mitigate evaporation impacts.

The preliminary permit took effect on October 1 and will remain valid for 48 months or until a development application is accepted, whichever comes first. Public reactions to the feasibility study will be considered during the hydropower license application stage, rather than during the permit process.