Tuesday, Feb. 27, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.
An environmental group and a developer stand on the same side of the fence in criticism of a hydropower project proposed for the Blue Diamond area.
The Red Rock Audubon Society and Howard Hughes Corp., a major developer in the Las Vegas Valley, criticized the proposed Blue Diamond South Hydroelectric Project at a federal environmental hearing Monday night.
Blue Diamond has been trying to get a permit from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission since 1988 and has changed its site, moving the project out of the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area south to Blue Diamond Mesa.
But John Hiatt of the Audubon Society chapter said the two reservoirs, buried pipeline and transmission lines would disturb Blue Diamond cholla, a cactus. He said too that Blue Diamond did not define a need for the power it intends to generate.
Jeff Rhoads, manager of advanced planning for Hughes, said he worries about a 380-kilovolt line planned to run south along Hualipai Drive to Russell Road.
"The transmission line is of grave concern to Hughes Corp," Rhoads said.
The transmission line as proposed would run across 10 1/2 miles of Hughes property, along its southern boundary, Rhoads said.
"The transmission line as proposed is not supported by us," he said.
Blue Diamond's Terry Hickman said the hydro company will meet with Hughes officials to find alternative line routes.
While the project will disrupt 104 acres of land permanently, it is projected to generate about $25 million in 20 years in state and local taxes.
If FERC agrees to allow the project -- which will pump water uphill at night and run it back downhill to generate electricity -- Blue Diamond promises to meet all federal, state and local codes and regulations, Hickman said.
FERC could issue its final environmental impact statement this summer. Then Blue Diamond needs a Bureau of Land Management right-of-way permit, as well as zoning changes and a building permit from Clark County, he said.
When asked how much power the plant might generate, Hickman said that would depend on how much consumers and utilities such as Nevada Power would demand.
FERC project manager Dianne Rodman said the federal rules had changed, allowing a proposal like Blue Diamond's to receive permission to build, based on future needs projected by Nevada Power.
Nevada Power has already published an estimated demand for more power in the future, she said.
For those wishing to submit written comments, the deadline is March 11. Comments on the Blue Diamond South Project, FERC No. 10756, should be filed to Lois D. Cashell, Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20426.
For a copy of the draft EIS for the project, call 202-208-1371.
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