MONDAY, September 21, 2026|
Photo – Proposed Seminoe Pumped Storage Project – Courtesy rPlus Hydro
Federal regulators have postponed a final decision on the Seminoe Pumped Storage Project.
Last week, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission delayed its final licensing decision for the Seminoe Pumped Storage Project. The announcement comes after the Bureau of Land Management determined that additional studies were required and submitted a notice of intent to prepare a supplemental environmental impact statement.
As reported by Bigfoot99 and Bandit102, BLM identified five issues that FERC failed to address in its National Environmental Policy Act, or NEPA, review. NEPA requires federal agencies to study and publicly explain the environmental impacts of any major federal action before making a final decision on a project. This includes the proposed Seminoe pumped storage facility.
BLM stated that the project would require an amendment to Seminoe Reservoir’s Visual Resource Management Plan. The area is classified as VRM Class II, which requires the federal agency to preserve the existing landscape. BLM questioned whether the proposed change would fit that classification. BLM then said the Rawlins Resource Management Plan would also need an amendment. That plan protects local big game ranges, including the Seminoe‑Ferris bighorn sheep herd, the last herd in Wyoming free from domestic livestock diseases. rPlus Hydro has requested waivers to bypass those protections and extend the construction season, prompting BLM to ask if the request aligns with its big‑game habitat protection goals. The agency raised concerns about impacts on the local economy, including hunting, fishing, and tourism. BLM then asked how the facility would affect nearby aquatic habitats and water quality in the North Platte River, specifically the Miracle Mile trout fishery. Finally, BLM asked how the project may affect access to nearby public recreation lands.
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission was scheduled to issue a final licensing decision last Thursday, September 17th, but BLM’s notice to provide its own environmental impact statement led FERC to push that decision to November 22nd, 2027.
In the meantime, the Bureau of Land Management is asking the public to participate in the environmental review by reaching out to FERC. Public comments can be submitted in three ways. The eComment tool on FERC’s website allows brief, text‑only submissions; search for docket number P‑14787. The eFiling system also accepts comments and supports file attachments, although new users must create an account first. Paper comments can be mailed to Secretary Debbie‑Anne A. Reese at 888 First Street NE, Room 1A, Washington, DC 20426. Other carriers, such as UPS and FedEx, must use 12225 Wilkins Avenue, Rockville, Maryland 20852. All mail‑in submissions should reference docket number P‑14787‑004.
All comments must be received on or before 3:00 p.m. Mountain Time on October 13th of this year.
The Bureau of Land Management plans to submit its supplemental draft environmental impact statement, or EIS, on January 14th, 2027, with the final report expected by July 16th.
