FERC Puts Hook Canyon Project on Permanent Hold

May 01, 2008 by Eric Ray

(KCPW News) It now appears a proposed hydroelectric plant on the eastern shore of Bear Lake will never see the light of day. Last week Utah Governor Jon Huntsman stopped the state from negotiating a land easement that would give Symbiotics LLC of Logan the access necessary for the Hook Canyon Pumped Storage Project. That move spurred the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to inform Symbiotics it will hold the company's license application in abeyance.

"FERC can actually empower a licensee with eminent domain so they can accomplish their project, if necessary. The one thing they cannot do is condemn park and recreation land for a hydroelectric project," says Jeff Salt, Executive Director of Great Salt Lakekeeper, an environmental group opposed to the Hook Canyon project. "The state of Utah effectively zeroed in on this FERC rule and killed [Symbiotics LLC's] negotiations with state parks and that was the key to killing this project."

Jeff Salt of Great Salt Lakekeeper, an environmental group opposed to the Hook Canyon project, says several state agencies received over 100 emails per day from citizens against the project. Salt credits that outpouring with helping the governor make his decision. Hall of Fame football player Merlin Olsen, who serves as President of the environmental group Bear Lake Watch, applauds FERC's actions.

"There's no question in my mind that it was the right decision. It gives us a chance to protect what is a very precious and important resource to so many people in the states of Utah and Idaho," says Olsen.

FERC's move also halts a public comment period on the project that was set to expire on May 13. KCPW's calls to Symbiotics LLC for comment were unreturned.

Click on the .pdf symbol below to view FERC's letter to Symbiotics.

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