A massive hydroelectric project proposed to span through the Cleveland National Forest — west of Lake Elsinore, Wildomar, Murrieta and Temecula — has once again been blocked by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
On Thursday, the federal agency issued a decision saying it would not rehear arguments from Vista-based Nevada Hydro LLC about its project application and the company’s request for a stay was denied.
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has blocked a controversial $2 billion hydroelectric plant near the Lake Elsinore shoreline after the developer failed to provide requested environmental studies and a construction plan, among other things.
Vista-based Nevada Hydro Co. has proposed building a 200-foot-high dam above the lake and a 500-megawatt, underground power plant with turbines on 845 acres of U.S. Forest Service. Water would be pumped from the lake to a man-made reservoir when demand for electricity is low, with water flowing back to the lake when demand is high. The project has been named the Lake Elsinore Advanced Pumped Storage Project, or LEAPS.
The Water News Network is San Diego County’s source for water news and information.
