Frequently Asked Questions
PROJECT
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The Project is located here because the site offers a rare combination of features needed for a good pumped storage project. These valuable features include topography (high vertical drop over a short distance), proximity to an electric transmission hub, geology, and a favorable energy market. White Pine County offers all of these and more, including a community that has played a role in our nation’s critical infrastructure.
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rPlus Energies develops projects utilizing the two best-established technologies for energy storage: pumped storage hydro and battery energy storage systems. Each has its advantages and will be important to the energy mix of the future. Pumped storage hydro is a proven technology that has been around for over 100 years. The United States has 43 operating facilities. There are other technologies in development and rPlus follows their progress.
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Worldwide, more than 150 pumped storage plants are in operation, including 43 in the US. There are numerous pumped storage projects located in arid areas, including several in the US (Arizona). Closed-loop projects (those using two artificial reservoirs instead of natural bodies of water) are a fairly new variation on pumped storage, so there are only several operating to date, with more under construction. There are currently two operating closed-loop projects in Israel and one in Australia, both in desert climates.
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The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and the Bureau of Land Management are the primary agencies responsible for permitting the Project. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission oversees the overall project license and leads the environmental review process. Since the Project is situated on public lands, the Bureau of Land Management is tasked with issuing the Project’s right-of-way. Additionally, various other state and federal agencies provide input into the licensing decision.
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The Project is coordinating with Bureau of Land Management to obtain a right-of-way easement. We expect this process to take between 2-3 years.
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Community benefits from the Project include the creation of hundreds of construction and dozens of permanent operation jobs. The Project will also provide a sizeable increase in tax revenues for the state and local communities—more than $12 million annually.
Development (now-2026):
•Income from lodging, gas, dining, and other local spending by project staff.
•Local expertise in project development support will be employed wherever possible.
•Revenue to the County through taxes, water use agreements, and potential revenue from other agreements that may be negotiated.
Construction (2026-2032):
•Approximately 500 full-time construction jobs for a period of five years, with the significant indirect economic benefits that come with local spending.
Operation (2032+):
•Thirty-five permanent full-time jobs in the Ely/McGill area, with the indirect economic benefit to the community that those jobs bring.
•Substantial property tax revenue will be distributed to White Pine County long into the future.
Socioeconomic studies and analyses can be found in Exhibit E, Appendix I of the Final License Application.
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The footprint of the main project features—the reservoirs—will be about 140 acres. The lower reservoir is approximately 2,400 ft by 1,200 ft and 90 ft deep. The upper reservoir is approximately 1,900 ft by 1,100 ft and 120 ft deep. Additionally, there will be temporary laydown areas, a switchyard, road improvements, and the right-of-way for the 25-mile transmission line. More information can be found in the Final License Application.
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The Project is proposing three reversible pump turbines. The vertical headrace shaft will be lined with reinforced concrete and steel.
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The Project has not yet selected construction firms. These would be large contractors with experience in building major civil projects.
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We will consider both temporary and permanent housing to accommodate the construction workforce. The Project plans to work with Ely, McGill, and White Pine County on implementing a housing plan that aligns with each community’s development plan. Since temporary construction workers typically do not relocate with their families, we do not anticipate an increased demand in the school district to accommodate additional students due to the construction workforce.
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No dredging is expected to be necessary. Storm runoff will be routed around the reservoirs, resulting in little sediment accumulation.
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The Project proposes a new 7-mile-long, dual-lane road that traverses the Steptoe Valley to access the upper reservoir. Exhibit G of the Final License Application provides more details.
Barriers, signage, and gates will be installed at each end of the upper reservoir access road to limit public access during wildlife seasonal habitat restrictions, as determined by the Bureau of Land Management, Nevada Department of Wildlife, and White Pine County. There will be no fencing that lines the access road.
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Our team has been in touch with all private landowners along the transmission line and emergency access roads. We want to be the best neighbors possible, which is why we have committed to developing a landowner coordination plan. This plan will be developed with landowners to minimize adverse effects.
WATER
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The Project negotiated and signed a water supply and option agreement with White Pine County in 2021. This agreement authorizes the Project to use around 25% of the County’s industrial water rights for a limited period to develop the White Pine Pumped Storage Project. Under this agreement, the Project is not able to sell or use the water rights for another purpose.
Due to historic nonuse, the County may face cancellation by the Nevada State Engineer of the County's industrial water rights. As part of the agreement with the County, the Project currently makes annual payments for the limited right to use a portion of the County's industrial water rights. This arrangement generates revenue for the County and assists it in safeguarding that portion of the County’s industrial water rights from cancellation.
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The Project’s water requirements will vary across different project phases. During construction (5-7 years), the Project will use about 500 acre-feet per year. For the one-time initial fill of the lower reservoir, the Project will require approximately 5,000 acre-feet, drawn over a span of 12-18 months. Once in operation, the Project will use a minimal amount of water, estimated to be 500 acre-feet annually, to refill the reservoir for evaporation losses.
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The Nevada State Engineer estimates the groundwater recharge (also known as perennial yield) of the Steptoe Valley Basin to be at around 70,000 acre-feet per year. Although permitted groundwater rights in the Steptoe Valley Basin exceed this recharge rate, actual pumping in the Steptoe Valley Basin is below this recharge rate, meaning sufficient groundwater is available for the Project.
In 2007, the United States Geological Survey, the Desert Research Institute, and the State of Nevada conducted a water-resources study regarding groundwater availability in Nevada. This study included the Steptoe Valley Sub-Basin and found that the Steptoe Valley Basin had the highest annual recharge (about 154,000 acre-feet) and one of the highest annual discharges (about 101,000 acre-feet) of the studied hydrographic areas.
Bright, D. & Welch, A., Water Resources of the Basin and Range Carbonate-Rock Aquifer System, White Pine County, Nevada, and Adjacent Areas in Nevada and Utah (2007).
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The Project has conducted extensive research and modeling to assess the potential impact on groundwater in the Steptoe Valley Basin. All work to date, including desktop studies, indicates the Project’s groundwater use will have minimal impact on groundwater in the basin. Additionally, the Project will coordinate with the Nevada State Engineer on the timing and pumping rates relating to the initial fill of the reservoirs to further mitigate any potential impacts to the basin.
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The Project will not utilize any water rights designated for agricultural uses. The Project's water rights are designated only for industrial purposes and are currently existing within the Basin.
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Beyond groundwater modeling, the Project intends to conduct further hydrogeologic testing to provide more information about the hydrology of the Steptoe Valley Basin. This will be done to characterize further the regional groundwater system, including a hydrogeologic seep and spring survey of known springs within a five-mile radius of the production well-field, groundwater sampling and monitoring, and the development of a numerical groundwater model once the applicant confirms the basic hydraulic conductivity of the aquifer. The Project has agreed to monitor existing wells within the 10-ft isopleth during hydrogeologic evaluation testing, dependent on permission from any private landowners.
ENERGY
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Up to 4 megawatts will be needed on a continuous basis for ventilation, lighting, etc. This may be purchased from Mt Wheeler Power or another utility.
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We have not pursued acquiring capacity on either the existing SWIP line (the “ON Line”) or the proposed SWIP-North line.
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Using standard and site-specific spacing requirements, we have confirmed that there is room in that transmission corridor for the Project transmission line.
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In all energy production and storage technologies, there are losses in the round-trip cycle of energy in vs. energy out. In the case of pumped storage, it takes more energy to pump the same amount of water uphill than is produced with that same volume coming down. The total projected round-trip efficiency is about 77%. The minimal loss is worth it because of the value of having power-on-demand and the ability to turn the energy of variable and intermittent resources into a more dependable resource, among other benefits. For example, the thermodynamic efficiency of simple-cycle natural gas turbine power plants ranges from 20 to 42%.
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Power used to pump the water will be lower-cost energy available on the electric grid.
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Project operation would benefit all Nevada electric power users because the grid is completely interconnected, and the plant will help to ensure the stability of power flows that reach every household. This includes White Pine County residents.
ENVIRONMENTAL
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Local wildlife and the ecosystem in the Project area are particularly important to the White Pine Pumped Storage team Mitigation measures and impacts on wildlife and the surrounding habitat have been widely studied and considered throughout Exhibit E and the appendices. Potential impacts to wildlife are additionally being addressed through a technical working group with local, state, and federal agency collaboration. Several environmental management plans are being developed and will be finalized prior to operation. These plans help ensure that local biological species are protected and potential impacts are mitigated. We look forward to conserving habitat and protecting the wildlife species in the area.
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No public trails will be destroyed from the construction of the Project.
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Air, light, and noise pollution are important considerations as we plan and develop this Project. Fortunately, there will be minimal to no air, light, or noise pollution from the Project’s operation. We will develop an outdoor lighting plan to be in line with dark skies guidelines to eliminate any impacts from lighting.
RAILROAD
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The Project will have minimal to no impact on the Nevada Northern Railway. The Project conducted a Visitor Use and Experience Study in 2023 that indicates that a passenger’s willingness to ride the train and their level of enjoyment will remain unaffected.
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The Project is committed to ensuring all exterior lighting meets dark skies compliance standards, preserving both the night sky and the Great Basin Star Train experience. Outdoor security lighting will be installed as part of the Project at the switchyard and tunnel portal. This lighting will have the following design and operational procedures:
•The Project will use the lighting sparingly, primarily for safety and maintenance purposes.
•Control mechanisms, such as switches or motion sensors, will regulate its activation.
•The Project will utilize red railroad warning lights at railroad crossings.
•The lighting design will adhere to criteria set by both the International Dark Sky Association and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration for outdoor workplace safety.
In the unlikely event of an emergency necessitating nighttime inspections of the reservoir dams, lighting will be temporarily provided and controlled by a switch, strictly limited to these temporary circumstances.
For site security, public safety, and wildlife protection, the Project will install 10-foot-tall game fencing, signage, and other safety and security design features around the outer edges of the upper and lower reservoir perimeter roads, switchyard, and main access portal.
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The top of the tunnel will be approximately 175 ft. below the railway. At this depth, it is expected not to have any operational impact on the tracks or the railroad.
FINANCE
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The estimated cost of the Project is $2.3 billion. It is anticipated that a mix of sponsor equity, tax equity, and long-term debt will cover construction costs. Construction funds will be provided by rPlus Energies and financing parties.
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The Project is exercising extensive due diligence in the engineering and design phases and will continue this into the construction contracting phase to help minimize risks of delays or cost overruns during construction.
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Per the Zions Bank socioeconomic report, property tax payments from the Project are not anticipated to drop below $12M in any given year. Depreciation in personal property value is anticipated to be largely offset by appreciation in real property value.
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The Project will not impact local power prices.
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This value is based on a current Project cost estimate prepared by engineers at Mott MacDonald, a top global engineering firm.
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No.
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The Project anticipates applying for the State of Nevada’s Renewable Energy Tax Abatement which may reduce the Project’s overall tax burden. More information on the Nevada RETA Program can be found at https://energy.nv.gov/reta/. The additional projected tax revenues for White Pine County from Project are inclusive of this tax abatement.
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rPlus Energies is backed by family run, Utah-based real estate company, and a private infrastructure fund.