Wednesday, June 25, 1997 | 10:39 a.m.
A planned hydropower project near Blue Diamond has been approved by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
The plant could start supplying electricity to Nevada Power Co. by 2002.
FERC required Blue Diamond Power Partners to produce an environmental impact statement for the project southwest of Las Vegas.
The hydroplant will use water stored in a covered, fenced reservoir atop a mountain near the Jim Hardie Gypsum Mining Co., let it flow downhill to another covered reservoir at the bottom and pump water uphill when the valley's electrical demands are low.
Project developers must consult with Clark County and the Army Corps of Engineers for flood controls, the Clark County Health District for air pollution control and protect wildlife.
The hydropower plant must be completed within five years. Once finished, FERC will allow the plant to operate for 50 years.
The project also needs a dam safety permit from the state engineer and a dam safety plan to show where water will flow if the reservoir bursts.
FERC requires an emergency plan for any dam project and inspects such projects throughout their operating life.
In addition, FERC ordered the company to hire independent consultants to help the commission review engineering specifics of dam safety.
The hydropower project has been under development for 10 years and already has been moved south from a previous site that marred visitors' views of Red Rock Canyon.
While water erosion was addressed, FERC staff believes the threat from wind erosion is greater and plans have to be revised to address the issue.
Extra protection is also necessary for the desert tortoise and the peregrine falcon. Blue Diamond Power Partners proposes to raptor-proof its 138-kilovolt transmission line to prevent peregrines from being electrocuted.
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