Georgia's Pumped Storage Hydro Project: Public Weighs In on Eco Impacts
Published Date: 9/22/2025
Notice
Summary
Oglethorpe Power Corporation wants to renew its license for the Rocky Mountain Pumped Storage Hydroelectric Project in Floyd County, Georgia. The government is asking the public to share their thoughts on how this project might affect the environment before making a decision. This is a chance for everyone to help shape the future of local energy and nature, with comments needed soon to keep things moving.
Analyzed Economic Effects
7 provisions identified: 7 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Project to keep 904 MW generation unchanged
Oglethorpe Power proposes to continue operating the Rocky Mountain Pumped Storage Project in Floyd County, Georgia, as it has historically with no changes to generation capacity; the facility has a combined installed capacity of 904 megawatts. That means the project would continue producing electricity at its current scale if relicensed as proposed.
Public comment window opens (Oct 20, 2025)
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission opened a scoping period and requests written public comments on the environmental scope of the Rocky Mountain Pumped Storage Project. Submit comments so the Commission receives them by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on October 20, 2025 to ensure they are considered in the environmental review.
Minimum release of 1.2 cfs maintained; flow study planned
Under the proposed license, Oglethorpe Power would continue releasing a continuous minimum flow of 1.2 cubic feet per second (cfs) from the Lower Reservoir into Heath Creek, and would implement a study of different minimum flows during summer low-flow operations to examine effects on dissolved oxygen downstream of the Main Dam.
Bald eagle and invasive species management plans
OPC proposes to implement a Bald Eagle Management Plan and an Invasive Species Management Plan as part of the new license for the Rocky Mountain project. These plans aim to protect bald eagles and manage invasive species at the project site.
Bat habitat protection measures proposed
The license applicant proposes to implement bat habitat protection measures at the Rocky Mountain Project as part of its proposed protections.
Recreation Enhancement Plan for local lakes
OPC proposes a Recreation Enhancement Plan for Heath Lake and Antioch Lakes East and West as part of the new license, which is intended to enhance recreational opportunities at those reservoirs.
Historic Properties Management Plan to be developed
OPC proposes to develop and implement a Historic Properties Management Plan through a Programmatic Agreement as part of relicensing the Rocky Mountain Project, addressing historic property protection at the site.
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