FERC workshop on abandoned mine pumped storage

Federal hydropower regulators have scheduled a workshop to explore potential opportunities for development of closed-loop pumped storage projects at abandoned mine sites, as required by the America's Water Infrastructure Act of 2018.

Enacted by Congress and signed by President Trump in October 2018, the Act amends several portions of the Federal Power Act which govern how the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission issues preliminary permits, hydropower licenses, and approvals for qualifying conduit hydropower facilities. Among other requirements, the Act directed the Commission to issue a rule establishing an expedited process for issuing and amending licenses for closed-loop pumped storage projects under this section.

The Act also includes provisions designed to facilitate exploration of the use of abandoned mine sites for pumped storage projects. Section 3004 of the Act requires the Commission to hold a workshop within 6 months to explore potential opportunities for development of closed-loop pumped storage projects at abandoned mine sites, and issue guidance within one year to assist applicants for licenses or preliminary permits for closed-loop pumped storage projects at abandoned mine sites. In November 2018, the Commission docketed its action on Closed-loop Pumped Storage Projects at Abandoned Mines Guidance as Docket No. AD19-8-000 and established a schedule for rulemaking, public comment, and issuance of guidance.

The Commission has now issued a Notice of Workshop in the abandoned mine pumped storage docket, scheduled for April 4, 2019. The notice states that the workshop will involve roundtable discussions by panelists, moderated by Commission staff. The agenda for the workshop includes discussion of how to identify sites for development of closed-loop pumped storage projects at abandoned mines, as well as the benefits and challenges associated with the use of abandoned mines for pumped storage. The agenda also includes time for soliciting feedback from the workshop panel and other participants on what types of information would be most helpful to include in the guidance mandated by the Act.