MONDAY, August 10, 2026|
Photo – The canyon at Seminoe Reservoir – Bigfoot99 file photo
Despite federal approval, county officials say the Seminoe Pumped Storage Project still faces state and local obstacles.
For roughly ten years, the Salt Lake City‑based developer, rPlus Hydro, has been working to build a variation of a hydroelectric power plant called a pumped storage facility at Seminoe Reservoir. The project would require the construction of a lake above the existing reservoir, an underground powerhouse, and a bridge over the North Platte River to access the tunnels leading to the powerhouse. During periods of high energy production, such as late at night, excess electricity will be used to pump water from Seminoe Reservoir into the upper lake. When additional power is needed, the water would flow downhill through an underground turbine, generating approximately 900 megawatts of electricity for up to 12 hours.
Wildlife conservationists have raised concerns about the project, including its potential impact on the blue‑ribbon Miracle Mile trout fishery and the Seminoe-Ferris bighorn sheep herd. rPlus Hydro representatives have said that extensive water modeling shows the facility will have no negative effect on the downstream ecosystem. The Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality agreed and issued a Clean Water Act Section 401 Water Quality Certification in March.
The Section 401 certification for the Seminoe Pumped Storage Project fulfills rPlus Hydro’s obligation to show that it will protect the North Platte River.
On June 12th, the Seminoe Pumped Storage Project moved closer to construction approval when the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, or FERC, issued its Final Environmental Impact Statement.
During the August 4th Board of Carbon County Commissioners meeting, local journalist Mike Armstrong said everyone appears to oppose the project and asked if local governments can do anything to prevent construction.
Armstrong said by allowing the project to continue, the federal government seems to be disregarding concerns from residents and local officials.
Commissioner John Espy said FERC may have issued its permit, but the Bureau of Land Management must still amend the Rawlins Resource Management Plan, or RMP, which covers the Seminoe Reservoir. He said that change requires another public comment period.
To reduce disturbance to the Seminoe‑Ferris bighorn sheep herd, the Rawlins Resource Management Plan restricts rPlus Hydro to a four‑month construction period, from May through August. The company has requested an amendment to allow year‑round work. Although, during the May 28th Wyoming Joint Travel, Recreation, Wildlife, and Cultural Resources Committee meeting, rPlus Hydro General Counsel Kevin Baker said the company plans to limit construction of the upper reservoir to a nine‑month window, from March to November, to protect the herd.
At the August 4th Board of Commissioners meeting, Commissioner John Espy said people can still challenge the project but stopping it outright will be difficult.
Commissioner Sue Jones noted that both the Wyoming Industrial Siting Council and Carbon County itself must still issue permits, each with a public comment period, before construction can begin. Despite what rPlus Hydro has stated publicly, Jones said the project is far from being finalized.
Commissioner Sue Jones added that the Bureau of Land Management is unlikely to amend the Rawlins Resource Management Plan solely to allow the Seminoe Pumped Storage Project to proceed.
Commissioner John Johnson said the FERC ruling is just the beginning. He said rPlus Hydro must still obtain a county permit, which will require the Board’s concerns to be addressed.
Commissioner Sue Jones said the Board of Commissioners has the final say on the project. Even though many feel their opposition is being ignored, she said the Board is aware of their concerns.
The Commissioners assured the public that the Seminoe Pumped Storage Project has a long way to go before construction can begin.
