[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 183 (Friday, September 20, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 77119-77121]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-21485]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Project No. 2735-104]


Pacific Gas and Electric Company; Notice of Application Accepted 
for Filing and Soliciting Motions To Intervene and Protests

    Take notice that the following hydroelectric application has been 
filed with the Commission and is available for public inspection.
    a. Type of Application: New Major License.
    b. Project No.: 2735-104.
    c. Date filed: April 18, 2024.
    d. Applicant: Pacific Gas and Electric Company.
    e. Name of Project: Helms Pumped Storage Project.
    f. Location: The existing project is located about 50 miles 
northeast of the city of Fresno, on the North Fork Kings River and 
Helms Creek, in Fresno and Madera Counties, California. The project 
currently occupies 3,346.6 acres of federal land administered by the 
U.S. Forest Service, 28.36 acres of federal land managed by the U.S. 
Bureau of Reclamation, and 0.07 acre of land managed by the Bureau of 
Land Management. The project, with the proposed project boundary 
modifications, would occupy a total of 2,887.7 acres of federal land 
administered by the U.S. Forest Service, 28.5 acres of federal land 
managed by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, and 2.22 acres of land 
managed by the Bureau of Land Management.
    g. Filed Pursuant to: Federal Power Act 16 U.S.C. 791a-825r.
    h. Applicant Contact: Dave Gabbard, Vice President Power 
Generation, Pacific Gas and Electric Company, 300 Lakeside Drive, 
Oakland, CA 94612; telephone at (650) 207-9705; email at 
[email protected].
    i. FERC Contact: Evan Williams, Project Coordinator, West Branch,

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Division of Hydropower Licensing; telephone at (202) 502-8138; email at 
[email protected].
    j. Deadline for filing motions to intervene and protests: 60 days 
from the issuance date of this notice.
    The Commission strongly encourages electronic filing. Please file 
motions to intervene and protests using the Commission's eFiling system 
at https://ferconline.ferc.gov/FERC.aspx. Commenters can submit brief 
comments up to 6,000 characters, without prior registration, using the 
eComment system at https://ferconline.ferc.gov/Quick.aspx. For 
assistance, please contact FERC Online Support at 
[email protected], (866) 208-3676 (toll free), or (202) 502-
8659 (TTY). In lieu of electronic filing, you may submit a paper copy. 
Submissions sent via the U.S. Postal Service must be addressed to: 
Debbie-Anne A. Reese, Acting Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory 
Commission, 888 First Street NE, Room 1A, Washington, DC 20426. 
Submissions sent via any other carrier must be addressed to: Debbie-
Anne A. Reese, Acting Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 
12225 Wilkins Avenue, Rockville, Maryland 20852. All filings must 
clearly identify the project name and docket number on the first page: 
Helms Pumped Storage Project (P-2735-104).
    The Commission's Rules of Practice require all intervenors filing 
documents with the Commission to serve a copy of that document on each 
person on the official service list for the project. Further, if an 
intervenor files comments or documents with the Commission relating to 
the merits of an issue that may affect the responsibilities of a 
particular resource agency, they must also serve a copy of the document 
on that resource agency.
    k. This application has been accepted but is not ready for 
environmental analysis at this time.
    l. The existing Helms Pumped Storage Project (project) includes: 
(1) a 132-foot-long, by 89-foot-wide, by 58.5-foot-high concrete 
intake-discharge structure (Courtright Intake-Discharge Structure), 
with metal trash racks, in Courtright Lake; (2) one 4,243-foot-long 
tunnel (Tunnel 1) composed of two sections: (a) a 3,312-foot-long, 27-
foot-diameter concrete-lined section; and (b) a 931-foot-long, 22-foot-
diameter steel-lined section; (3) a 32.5-foot-long, by 38-foot-wide, by 
45-foot-high gatehouse; (4) a 206-foot-long, 22-foot-diameter, above-
ground steel pipe that connects Tunnel 1 and Tunnel 2; (5) one 9,016-
foot-long tunnel (Tunnel 2) composed of two sections: (a) a 764-foot-
long, 22-foot-diameter steel-lined section; and (b) a 8,252-foot-long, 
27-foot-diameter concrete-lined section; (6) a 600-foot-long adit of an 
unknown diameter, with an adit plug with frame and gate; (7) a 535-
foot-high, vertical shaft surge chamber for Tunnel 2 with a 47-foot-
diameter lower section and 60-foot-diameter upper section, with 12 feet 
of the chamber exposed above grade; (8) a 2,205-foot-long penstock 
composed of three sections: (a) a 1,070-foot-long, 27-foot-diameter 
concrete-lined section; (b) a 300-foot-long, 27-foot-diameter concrete-
lined section; and (c) a 330-foot-long, 27-foot-diameter concrete-lined 
manifold section, that branches into three, 505-foot-long steel-lined 
penstocks, that reduce in diameter from 15.5 feet, to 11.5 feet, to 
10.5 feet until connecting to the turbine-generator; (9) a 336-foot-
long, by 83-foot-wide, by 125-foot-high excavated rock chamber 
underground powerhouse that includes three, 360-megawatt (MW) vertical 
Francis-type pump-turbine units, for a total installed capacity of 
1,080 MW, and three, vertical indoor generators with an approximate 
total nameplate capacity of 1,212 MW; (10) a 3,727-foot-long, 27-foot-
diameter concrete-lined tunnel (Tunnel 3); (11) a 984-foot-tall, 
vertical shaft surge chamber for Tunnel 3 with a 27-foot-diameter lower 
section and a 44-foot-diameter upper section that transitions into a 
10-foot-diameter air shaft topped by a 10-foot-tall, 14-foot-diameter 
protective device above grade; (12) an 88-foot-long, by 78-foot-wide, 
by 51-foot-high concrete intake-discharge structure (Wishon Intake-
Discharge Structure), with metal trash racks, in Lake Wishon; (13) a 
220-foot by- 265-foot above ground, fenced switchyard; (14) an 
underground transformer bank of 10 transformers with a capacity of 
150,000 kilo-volt-amperes each; (15) a 3,723-foot-long, 30-foot-wide, 
25-foot-high powerhouse access tunnel; and (16) appurtenant facilities.
    Although the project facilities do not include any dam or 
reservoir, PG&E operates the project for power generation using 
Courtright Lake (upper reservoir) and Lake Wishon (lower reservoir), 
impounded by Courtright Dam and Wishon Dam, respectively, which are 
licensed project facilities of the Hass-Kings River Hydroelectric 
Project (Project No. P-1988). Courtright Lake has a usable storage area 
of approximately 123,184 acre-feet and normal maximum and minimum water 
surface elevations of 8,184 feet and 8,050 feet, respectively. Lake 
Wishon has a usable storage area of approximately 128,606 acre-feet and 
normal maximum and minimum water surface elevations of 6,550 feet and 
6,428.9 feet, respectively. To generate power, water is released from 
Courtright Lake through the Courtright Intake-Discharge Structure, 
Tunnel 1, Tunnel 2, and the penstock, into the powerhouse and is 
discharged through Tunnel 3 and the Wishon Intake-Discharge Structure 
into Lake Wishon. During periods of low energy demand, water is pumped 
through these project facilities in reverse (i.e., from Lake Wishon to 
Courtright Lake). The average annual generation (2015 to 2020) was 
736.6 gigawatt-hours.
    The project generators are connected to the regional electric grid 
by: (1) an underground transformer bank of 10 transformers with a 
capacity of 150,000 kilo-volt-amperes each; (2) a 220-foot by- 265-foot 
above ground, fenced switchyard; and (3) a 60.7-mile-long, double-
circuit 230-kilovolt (kV) transmission line that connects the Helms 
switchyard to PG&E's interconnection point with the grid at the non-
project Gregg Substation. The project also includes an approximately 
1.8-mile-long, 21-kV distribution line from the non-project Woodchuck 
Substation to the Helms Headquarters and Helms Powerhouse and an 
approximately 2-mile-long, 21-kV distribution line from the non-project 
Woodchuck Substation to the Helms Support Facility and non-project 
Wishon Village Recreational Vehicle Park.
    The project also includes: (1) the Helms Headquarters facility with 
ancillary facilities; (2) the Helms Support Facility with ancillary 
facilities; (3) project recreation facilities including the: (a) 
Courtright Boat Launch; (b) Trapper Springs Campground; (c) Marmot Rock 
Campground; (d) Wee-Mee-Kute Fishing Access; (e) Wishon Boat Launch; 
(f) Lily Pad Campground; (g) Upper Kings River Group Campground; (h) 
Wishon Dam Fishing Access; (i) Short Hair Creek Fishing Access; (j) 
Coolidge Meadow Fishing Access; (k) Helms Picnic Area; (l) Upper Kings 
River Fishing Access, and their ancillary facilities and amenities; (3) 
an approximately 80-acre Wildlife Habitat Management Area; (4) three, 
approximately 87-foot-diameter asphalt-surfaced helicopter landing 
pads; (5) 36.45 miles of non-recreation, vehicular project roads and 
trails; and (6) 1.08 miles of non-recreation, pedestrian project 
trails.
    PG&E proposes to continue operating the project in a manner that is 
consistent with current operation. Additionally, PG&E proposes the 
following plans and measures to protect and enhance environmental 
resources:

[[Page 77121]]

(1) Recreation Management Plan; (2) Coordination Between P-2735 and P-
1988; (3) Biological Resources Management Plan; (4) Hazardous Substance 
Plan; (5) Ownership of P-2735 and/or P-1988; (6) Visual Resources 
Management; (7) Fire Management and Response Plan; (8) Transportation 
System Management; (9) Historic Properties Management Plan; and (10) 
Supplemental Fish Stocking.
    PG&E proposes to modify the existing project boundary to encompass 
all facilities necessary for operation and maintenance of the project. 
Conversely, PG&E proposes to modify the boundary to remove lands and 
facilities from the existing project boundary that are not necessary 
for operation and maintenance of the project. PG&E proposes to modify 
the project boundary around the Haas-Kings River Project's Courtright 
Lake and Lake Wishon to remove land from the boundary around the 
reservoirs that is not required for project operations and maintenance. 
PG&E also proposes to modify the project boundary around: Trapper 
Springs Campground; Marmot Rock Water Pipe Access Road; Lost Canyon 
Pipe; Lost Canyon Crossing Road; Helms Switchyard; Haas 21-kV 
distribution line #1; Helms Headquarters, including water tank and 
water tank access road; Lily Pad Campground; and numerous project 
access roads and trails.
    m. A copy of the application can be viewed on the Commission's 
website at http://www.ferc.gov using the ``eLibrary'' link. Enter the 
docket number excluding the last three digits in the docket number 
field to access the document. For assistance, contact FERC Online 
Support at [email protected] or call toll-free, (866) 208-3676 
or (202) 502-8659 (TTY).
    You may also register online at https://ferconline.ferc.gov/FERCOnline.aspx to be notified via email of new filings and issuances 
related to this or other pending projects. For assistance, contact FERC 
Online Support.
    n. Anyone may submit a protest or a motion to intervene in 
accordance with the requirements of Rules of Practice and Procedure, 18 
CFR 385.210, 385.211, and 385.214. In determining the appropriate 
action to take, the Commission will consider all protests filed, but 
only those who file a motion to intervene in accordance with the 
Commission's Rules may become a party to the proceeding. Any protests 
or motions to intervene must be received on or before the specified 
deadline date for the particular application.
    All filings must (1) bear in all capital letters the title 
``PROTEST'' or ``MOTION TO INTERVENE''; (2) set forth in the heading 
the name of the applicant and the project number of the application to 
which the filing responds; (3) furnish the name, address, and telephone 
number of the person submitting the filing; and (4) otherwise comply 
with the requirements of 18 CFR 385.2001 through 385.2005. Agencies may 
obtain copies of the application directly from the applicant. A copy of 
any protest or motion to intervene must be served upon each 
representative of the applicant specified in the particular 
application.
    The Commission's Office of Public Participation (OPP) supports 
meaningful public engagement and participation in Commission 
proceedings. OPP can help members of the public, including landowners, 
environmental justice communities, Tribal members, and others, access 
publicly available information and navigate Commission processes. For 
public inquiries and assistance with making filings such as 
interventions, comments, or requests for rehearing, the public is 
encouraged to contact OPP at (202) 502-6595 or [email protected].
    o. Procedural schedule: The application will be processed according 
to the following preliminary schedule. Revisions to the schedule will 
be made as appropriate.

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                Milestone                              Date
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Issue Scoping Document 1................  September 2024.
Comments on Scoping Document 1 Due......  October 2024.
Issue Request for Additional Information  October 2024.
 (if necessary).
Issue Scoping Document 2 (if necessary).  November 2024.
Issue Notice of Ready for Environmental   November 2024.
 Analysis.
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    Dated: September 13, 2024.
Debbie-Anne A. Reese,
Acting Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2024-21485 Filed 9-19-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P