The Department of Ecology (Ecology) invites you to comment on the scope of the environmental impact statement for the Goldendale Energy Storage Project.
We've determined that the project is likely to result in adverse significant impacts to the environment and are requiring an environmental study (environmental impact statement or EIS) to look at the potential project impacts. We want input on project alternatives, likely impacts, and potential mitigation measures to reduce or eliminate impacts. The SEPA checklist and Determination of Significance can be reviewed on the
project website.
Project summaryFree Flow Power (FFP) Project 101, LLC is proposing to develop the Goldendale Energy Storage Project - a hydropower, off-stream, closed-looped water storage system that releases water from an upper reservoir downhill to a lower reservoir to create renewable energy.
The lower reservoir would be located on a portion of the former Columbia Gorge Aluminum smelter site, and water for the project would be drawn from the Columbia River under a permit that once served the aluminum plant. Project plans call for the lower reservoir to be filled once, with annual supplemental fills.
The project is expected to generate up to 1,200 megawatts of electricity. It
would send electricity to the grid through the existing infrastructure of the nearby John Day Dam.
