Tuesday, OCTOBER 14, 2025 |

Photo – Seminoe Dam – Bigfoot99 file photo

Federal regulators have recommended moving forward with the Seminoe Pumped Storage Project with increased environmental monitoring.

The Utah-based energy development company, rPlus Hydro, is planning to build a pumped storage facility at Seminoe Reservoir. The plan calls for the construction of a 13,000-acre-foot artificial lake atop Bennett Mountain. When wind-generated electricity is plentiful, water will be pumped 1,000 feet uphill from the lower Seminoe Reservoir into the newly constructed storage lake. When energy is in high demand, the water will flow downhill through an underground hydroelectric turbine, generating up to 900 megawatts of electricity.

Large-scale projects, such as the Seminoe Pumped Storage facility, must undergo extensive environmental analysis and permitting before construction can begin. As part of those requirements, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, or FERC, has released a 288-page draft report outlining the potential environmental impacts of the Seminoe Pumped Storage Project, including effects on soil, water quality, fish, wildlife, and recreation.

In its draft report, FERC identified that construction and reservoir operations have the potential to increase turbidity and sediment levels in the Seminoe Reservoir, which can flow downstream through the North Platte River and affect the blue-ribbon Miracle Mile trout fishery. Additionally, the federal agency found that changes in temperature and dissolved oxygen levels when water is transferred between the upper and lower reservoirs could also affect the aquatic ecosystem.

This information comes as no surprise to Trout Unlimited, a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting cold-water fisheries, which has expressed opposition to the project. During a September 4th public information webinar, Trout Unlimited Wyoming Government Relations Director Patrick Harrington said the project will be located perilously close to the Miracle Mile. Harrington said the majority of public comments have focused on the project’s potential impact on the world-class fishery. According to the Trout Unlimited Government Relations Director, the current design lacks adequate water temperature monitoring, with the furthest gauge set to be installed at Kortes Reservoir.

However, rPlus Hydro Managing Director of Hydro Strategy Matthew Shapiro disputes the Trout Unlimited representative’s claims. In an August interview with Bigfoot99, Shapiro said rPlus Hydro has conducted extensive studies to assess the potential impact of the pumped storage facility on the downstream ecosystem. Shapiro said studies show that the project will have little to no effect on the Miracle Mile.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission agrees that additional monitoring of the North Platte River is warranted. In its draft environmental impact statement, FERC emphasized the need for oversight and mitigation measures to protect the high-value fishery.

FERC also identified potential impacts to limber pine and old-growth forest due to soil disturbance and vegetation removal during construction. The federal agency noted that habitat loss is likely to affect wildlife, with big game species being especially vulnerable. Additionally, changes in noise levels, air quality, public access, and scenic views could impact local tourism. Seminoe Reservoir and the surrounding Miracle Mile fishery generate millions of dollars for Carbon County annually.

FERC will hold two public meetings to discuss the project, one in Rawlins and one in Cheyenne. The Rawlins meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, November 12th, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Jeffrey Memorial Community Center, located at 315 West Pine Street.

To maximize public participation, FERC staff will not deliver a formal presentation. Instead, comments will be taken one-on-one with a court reporter, and FERC representatives will be available to answer questions about the environmental review process.

The second meeting is scheduled for the following day, November 13th, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at Laramie County Library in Cheyenne.

FERC will also accept online comments. All comments, both in-person and online, must be filed on or before 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on January 2nd, 2026.

FERC states that the primary goal of the public comment sessions is to identify specific environmental issues and concerns with the draft environmental impact statement.

For more information about the report, contact Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Interagency Hydropower Coordinator Michael Tust at (202) 502-6522, or email michael.tust@ferc.gov.

The post FERC Plans Two Meetings to Discuss Pumped Storage Facility first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.