Klamath Falls, Ore. – A $750 million energy storage project in Klamath County has cleared a major hurdle.
The Swan Lake Power Storage Project’would be built about 12 miles northeast of Klamath Falls in the Swan Lake area.
Erik Steimle of Rye Development explains the project would not generate electricity, but act like a battery. “Storing energy during periods of excess capacity, and then releasing water from an upper reservoir and creating electricity in the project’s powerhouse during increased demand.”
Steimle briefed county commissioners on the status of the project Wednesday.
“The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) just released an environmental impact statement for the project,” Steimle said. “Bringing to near closure the end of an 8-plus year permitting effort.”
But, not everyone favors the project.
Concerns have been raised about how much water will be used, and the impact of transmission lines.
Steimle says a public meeting will be held next month in Klamath Falls. “The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission will be hosting a public meeting at OIT between 7 and 9 p.m. on September 26th.”
Backers hope to begin construction in 2020, with the project going online in 2025.
The developers have asked the Klamath County commissioners to consider passing a resolution in support of the project construction and operation.
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