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Agriculture

Preliminary Terms and Conditions for Helms Pumped Storage Project

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The USDA Forest Service Pacific SW Region has submitted to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission a document outlining the Preliminary Terms and Conditions and Recommendation for the Helms Pumped Storage Project, FERC Project No. 2735-104, operated by Pacific Gas and Electric Company. The project, located on National Forest System lands in the Sierra National Forest, aims to ensure the protection and utilization of the forest resources. The submission comes after extensive coordination with federal and state agencies, public comments, and consultation with the Licensee.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Helms Pumped Storage Project occupies 2,918.42 acres of land, with 212.91 acres being national forest system lands managed by the US Forest Service.
  • The project uses Courtright Lake and Lake Wishon as its upper and lower reservoirs, both of which are licensed facilities of the Haas-Kings River Hydroelectric Project (FERC Project No. 1988).
  • The Forest Service has submitted preliminary terms and conditions, including a rationale report, that addresses concerns related to plan revisions, fire management, and resource monitoring.
  • The document includes reference to four resource management and monitoring plans previously filed by PG&E, highlighting inconsistencies with Forest Service conditions.
  • The Forest Service emphasizes the importance of incorporating changes into revised plans and submitting them for approval after consultation with the Forest Service.

Statistics:

  • 2,918.42 acres of land is encompassed within the FERC Project Boundary.
  • 212.91 acres of national forest system lands are managed by the US Forest Service, as part of the Sierra National Forest.
  • 55 miles northeast of the City of Fresno is the approximate location of the project site.
  • The project consists of one hydroelectric development: Helms, without any open water conveyance works or active borrow or spoil areas.
  • Courtright Lake and Lake Wishon are the upper and lower reservoirs used by the project, with area and volume data not specified in the provided text.

Sources:

  • USDA Forest Service Pacific SW Region
  • Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
  • Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E)
  • United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
  • Department of Agriculture Forest Service Pacific Southwest Region
  • Forest Service Regional Office, R5
  • USDA Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Region, Regional Hydropower Assistance Team Coordinator Monique Sanchez
  • Joint-Mission (signed by Jim Bacon as Act Deputy Regional Forester)

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