Lake Elsinore Advanced Pump Storage (LEAPS) Project Update
City enters into agreement to protect our lake and community
Post Date: 12/20/2017 8:41 AMThe Lake Elsinore Advanced Pump Storage (LEAPS) Project is a hydroelectric project, which consists of an upper and lower reservoir with a set of tunnels running between them. When electrical energy is in high demand, the water in the upper reservoir is released through tunnels flowing down to turbines at the powerhouse. The upper reservoir becomes, in effect, a source of stored energy.
For LEAPS, the Lake would serve as the “lower reservoir” and the upper reservoir would be constructed in the Cleveland National Forest at Decker Canyon (just south of State Route 74). The pump/powerhouse facility would be located near the Lake on the west side of Grand Avenue in the Lakeland Village area (and is typically referred to as the Santa Rosa Powerhouse). To power the pumps and deliver the generated electricity onto the state’s electrical grid, LEAPS also involves the construction of approximately 32 miles of 500 kV transmission lines and towers.
The project applicant, Nevada Hydro, has proposed a grid interconnect near Lee Lake to the north. The transmission lines will travel south largely within the Cleveland National Forest and connect to the powerhouse. The powerhouse will also be connected by 500 kV lines and towers traveling further south primarily through the National Forest to an interconnect point adjacent to Camp Pendleton. The 500 kV lines in the general vicinity of the powerhouse will be undergrounded.
LEAPS is designed to generate approximately 500 megawatts (MW) of electricity typically lasting 12 hours. By way of comparison, the former San Onofre nuclear facility could produce approximately 2,150 MW.
Nevada Hydro is currently seeking a permit to operate LEAPS from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). While the City is fully participating in the formal FERC licensing process, concerns remain about coordinating the efforts of federal agencies which the City believes have a shared interest in improving the Lake and ensuring that federal agencies fully understand the City’s position and concerns related to the project.
On December 12, 2017, the City Council extended an agreement for government relations and legislative advocacy services to protect and advance the interests of the City of Lake Elsinore and its citizens regarding the LEAPS project. This includes engaging the congressional delegation and federal agencies to raise awareness about the project and its potential impacts to our community.
The City of Lake Elsinore will continue to monitor and inform our community as this project makes its way through the federal approval process to ensure our best interests are protected.
City enters into agreement to protect our lake and community
Post Date: 12/20/2017 8:41 AMThe Lake Elsinore Advanced Pump Storage (LEAPS) Project is a hydroelectric project, which consists of an upper and lower reservoir with a set of tunnels running between them. When electrical energy is in high demand, the water in the upper reservoir is released through tunnels flowing down to turbines at the powerhouse. The upper reservoir becomes, in effect, a source of stored energy.
For LEAPS, the Lake would serve as the “lower reservoir” and the upper reservoir would be constructed in the Cleveland National Forest at Decker Canyon (just south of State Route 74). The pump/powerhouse facility would be located near the Lake on the west side of Grand Avenue in the Lakeland Village area (and is typically referred to as the Santa Rosa Powerhouse). To power the pumps and deliver the generated electricity onto the state’s electrical grid, LEAPS also involves the construction of approximately 32 miles of 500 kV transmission lines and towers.
The project applicant, Nevada Hydro, has proposed a grid interconnect near Lee Lake to the north. The transmission lines will travel south largely within the Cleveland National Forest and connect to the powerhouse. The powerhouse will also be connected by 500 kV lines and towers traveling further south primarily through the National Forest to an interconnect point adjacent to Camp Pendleton. The 500 kV lines in the general vicinity of the powerhouse will be undergrounded.
LEAPS is designed to generate approximately 500 megawatts (MW) of electricity typically lasting 12 hours. By way of comparison, the former San Onofre nuclear facility could produce approximately 2,150 MW.
Nevada Hydro is currently seeking a permit to operate LEAPS from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). While the City is fully participating in the formal FERC licensing process, concerns remain about coordinating the efforts of federal agencies which the City believes have a shared interest in improving the Lake and ensuring that federal agencies fully understand the City’s position and concerns related to the project.
On December 12, 2017, the City Council extended an agreement for government relations and legislative advocacy services to protect and advance the interests of the City of Lake Elsinore and its citizens regarding the LEAPS project. This includes engaging the congressional delegation and federal agencies to raise awareness about the project and its potential impacts to our community.
The City of Lake Elsinore will continue to monitor and inform our community as this project makes its way through the federal approval process to ensure our best interests are protected.
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