Large Hydroelectric Project Proposed For Lake Elsinore: Latest Update

LAKE ELSINORE, CA — A proposed hydroelectric project that was planned to span through the Cleveland National Forest — west of Lake Elsinore, Wildomar, Murrieta and Temecula — has been scaled back, according to officials involved with the effort, and the community is invited to learn more about the latest proposal during an informal open house.

From 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 6, Bluewater Renewable Energy Storage will host its second Community Open House for the proposed project. The event will take place at the Lakeland Village Community Center, 16275 Grand Avenue. The company held a similar event in Lake Elsinore on Oct. 15.

Formerly called the "Lake Elsinore Advanced Pumped Storage Project," otherwise known as LEAPS, the proposed hydroelectric project is now titled the Bluewater Renewable Energy Storage Project and new faces and financial backers appear to be involved.

Nevada Hydro Company, Inc., which was the applicant behind the LEAPS project, is still named in the Bluewater application filed in October with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. However, the documents state Nevada Hydro is now owned by California-based Bluewater.

The LEAPS project was repeatedly blocked by the federal agency, but Bluewater officials promise concessions they hope will be more palatable to local communities and federal regulators.

The LEAPS project proposed to generate electricity onto the state's electrical grid, but would require installing 32 miles of 500 kV transmission lines and towers through the Cleveland National Forest from Lake Elsinore to Camp Pendleton. The project would also consist of reservoirs with a set of tunnels running between them: the water in Lake Elsinore would serve as a lower reservoir; an upper reservoir would be constructed in the Cleveland National Forest at Decker Canyon (just south of state Route 74). A pump/powerhouse facility would also be built near the lake, on the west side of Grand Avenue near Lakeland Village.

The Bluewater Project is essentially the same as the LEAPS project with changes "designed to avoid, minimize, and mitigate environmental impacts associated with the previous project proposal," according to Bluewater.

For example, the company is now eyeing a plan that would see a "primary" 230 kV transmission line, approximately 8.5 miles in length, extending from Lakeland Village north to Temescal Valley, just east of the Cleveland National Forest boundary. Where possible, the line would be underground, according to the company.

The company also promises to enhance lake levels and water quality in Lake Elsinore.

Community members interested in attending next week's two-hour open house can arrive any time. The event will be casual and several Bluewater representatives are expected to be on hand to answer questions.

For those who can't make the event, similar Q&A opportunities are expected in the future. Sign up for updates at https://www.bluerenew.life/.

To see documents filed with Federal Energy Regulatory Commission related to the Bluewater proposal, click here. Bluewater also has a copy of its application filing here.