Although the deadline has passed to start construction on a controversial hydroelectric power project on the southeastern border of Joshua Tree National Park, the Eagle Crest power project may not be dead yet. The energy project’s permit to begin construction on the project—which was granted in 2014—expired June 19. However, Congressman Paul Cook of Yucca Valley sponsored a bill last month that would allow Eagle Crest Energy to request up to three, two-year extensions before beginning construction on the massive project, which is outside of Cook’s district. The proposed bill also includes a provision allowing extensions to be granted retroactively any time after the deadline has passed. The measure is currently in the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. The Eagle Crest Energy project would store energy from solar farms and windmills when supply exceeds demand, and when demand for electricity is high, it would pump nine billion gallons of water from the aquifer into a hydroelectric dam at the site.
EAGLE CREST ENERGY PROJECT MAY NOT BE DEAD
