Because the Commission’s milestone target dates, including those for issuance of the draft and final NEPA documents and order, were modified to account for the additional time needed for the project sponsor to complete required studies, dependent milestone target dates are being modified accordingly.
Cooperating under NEPA
Milestones:
July 24, 2023, per the Applicant’s estimate. Applicant must submit permit application to USACE in accordance with §404 CWA. Dependencies: Applicant must submit §401 Pre-Filing Meeting Request to the state certifying authority at least 30 days prior to submittal of Certification Request/permit application.
Permit application must be complete, per USACE regulations (33 CFR §325.1). Please note, a complete permit application may not provide adequate information for the USACE to render a permit decision, in which USACE may request additional information, as needed.
USACE will issue a Public Notice by this date, per USACE regulations. Dependencies include receipt of complete permit application.
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Endangered Species Act Consultation (DOI-FWS)
:
ESA Consultation Concludes (Agency Action)
- Current Target Date: 01/26/2026 -
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
:
Official Notice of Availability of a Final EIS published in the FR beginning both the public review period and concurrent CAA Section 309 Review (Agency Action)
- Current Target Date: 04/13/2026
USACE can render a permit decision no earlier than 30 days after the Final EIS is published, per USACE Regulations. However, this date is subject to dependencies, including but not limited to publication of the Final EIS, receipt of Section 401 Water Quality Certification or waiver, and conclusion of consultations pursuant to Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act, and any other relevant environmental laws & regulations. USACE may require a mitigation plan compliant with the USACE/EPA 2008 Joint Mitigation Rule and information regarding alternatives from the Applicant prior to rendering a permit decision. Should submission of any required information be delayed, USACE reserves its right to adjust this Target Completion Date as necessary.
-
Endangered Species Act Consultation (DOI-FWS)
:
ESA Consultation Concludes (Agency Action)
- Current Target Date: 01/26/2026 -
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
:
Official Notice of Availability of a Final EIS published in the FR beginning both the public review period and concurrent CAA Section 309 Review (Agency Action)
- Current Target Date: 04/13/2026
USACE can render a permit decision no earlier than 30 days after the Final EIS is published, per USACE Regulations. However, this date is subject to dependencies, including but not limited to publication of the Final EIS, receipt of Section 401 Water Quality Certification or waiver, and conclusion of consultations pursuant to Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act, and any other relevant environmental laws & regulations. USACE may require a mitigation plan compliant with the USACE/EPA 2008 Joint Mitigation Rule and information regarding alternatives from the Applicant prior to rendering a permit decision. Should submission of any required information be delayed, USACE reserves its right to adjust this Target Completion Date as necessary.
PROJECT WEBSITE: https://www.seminoepumpedstorage.com
All dates below are specific to the schedule of the Environmental Review and Permitting processes for this project.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW AND PERMITTING STATUS
IN PROGRESS
ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE OF ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW AND PERMITTING
12/18/2026
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW AND PERMITTING PROCESSES
COMPLETED
SECTOR
Renewable Energy Production
CATEGORY
Project Category
FAST-41 Covered Projects
LEAD AGENCY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
View FAST-41 Postings by Agencies
Other Agencies with Actions or Authorizations:
Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service
Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation
Department of the Army, US Army Corps of Engineers - Regulatory
Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management
Description:
The proposed 972-megawatt project would use the Bureau of Reclamation's existing Seminoe Reservoir on the North Platte River in Carbon County, Wyoming, as a lower reservoir and include the construction of a new upper reservoir; two 30-mile-long, 500-kilovolt transmission lines; and other project facilities. The proposed project facilities would primarily be located on Bureau of Land Management lands.
Update:
The Executive Director granted Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's request to extend the Section 404 (USACE), ESA (FWS), Lease of Power Privilege (BOR), and Right-of-Way Authorization (BLM) completion dates on July 28, 2023. The Executive Director determination is posted here.
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Endangered Species Act Consultation (DOI-FWS)
:
ESA Consultation Concludes (Agency Action)
- Current Target Date: 01/26/2026 -
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
:
Official Notice of Availability of a Final EIS published in the FR beginning both the public review period and concurrent CAA Section 309 Review (Agency Action)
- Current Target Date: 04/13/2026
USACE can render a permit decision no earlier than 30 days after the Final EIS is published, per USACE Regulations. However, this date is subject to dependencies, including but not limited to publication of the Final EIS, receipt of Section 401 Water Quality Certification or waiver, and conclusion of consultations pursuant to Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act, and any other relevant environmental laws & regulations. USACE may require a mitigation plan compliant with the USACE/EPA 2008 Joint Mitigation Rule and information regarding alternatives from the Applicant prior to rendering a permit decision. Should submission of any required information be delayed, USACE reserves its right to adjust this Target Completion Date as necessary.
-
Endangered Species Act Consultation (DOI-FWS)
:
ESA Consultation Concludes (Agency Action)
- Current Target Date: 01/26/2026 -
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
:
Official Notice of Availability of a Final EIS published in the FR beginning both the public review period and concurrent CAA Section 309 Review (Agency Action)
- Current Target Date: 04/13/2026
USACE can render a permit decision no earlier than 30 days after the Final EIS is published, per USACE Regulations. However, this date is subject to dependencies, including but not limited to publication of the Final EIS, receipt of Section 401 Water Quality Certification or waiver, and conclusion of consultations pursuant to Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act, and any other relevant environmental laws & regulations. USACE may require a mitigation plan compliant with the USACE/EPA 2008 Joint Mitigation Rule and information regarding alternatives from the Applicant prior to rendering a permit decision. Should submission of any required information be delayed, USACE reserves its right to adjust this Target Completion Date as necessary.
Original Target Date: 12/23/2024
Milestone: Final Verification/Permit Decision Rendered (Agency Action)
Requested extensions greater than 30 days for this Action are shown below:
Final Verification/Permit Decision Rendered (Agency Action) extended by 574
From: 10/20/2025
To: 07/20/2026