Lake Elsinore Municipal Water District has spent over 3 million dollars of rate payers' money on the Lake Elsinore Advanced Pumped Storage (LEAPS) project. We share the view of many state and federal agencies that LEAPS is not a viable energy solution nor is it an effective means of maintaining Lake Elsinore. We oppose this project, the continued expenses, and the threats to our community, lake, and local forest.
Action you can take to help stop LEAPS
Why LEAPS is not economically viable
What credible persons and agencies say
Lies, Inaccuracies, and Misleading Statements
References, documents and links
EVMWD Board Meeting, Thurs, 6/26, 4:00. On the Agenda is Director's item III.A. to discuss LEAPS Project and CPUC TE/VS Lines Only Project and Consider Cancellation of Any and All EVMWD License Requests Pertaining to the LEAPS Project. This would be a good meeting for all concerned citizens to attend. Directions to this meeting are available here: Directions
New 6/16/08: Jacki Ayer's Brief before the California Public Utlities Commission (pdf, 270kB). Jacki demonstrates that there is no justification for CPUC to determine that the “LEAPS Transmission Only” project is even an alternative to the Sunrise powerlink transmission line, let alone the “environmentally preferred” wires alternative.
New 5/18/08: Pull the Plug on Hydroelectric Plant Plan. Californian editorial argues that "the state needs to focus its efforts on truly renewable energy, such as wind and solar power, not a billion-dollar Rube Goldberg-style contraption that needs nearly perfect economic conditions to turn even a meager profit."
New 5/17/08: Power Plant Benefits Questioned. News story in The Californian throws a little water on the fire fighting benefits touted by the LEAPs proponents.
New 4/28/08: Impacts on Wildomar. Handouts of a brief presentation to the Wildomar City Council Elect in regard to aesthetic and fire issues associated with the TE/VS transmission line.
New 4/14/08: Van Vactor Report (pdf, 715kB) This report shows that the LEAPS project is economically unviable. The report has been in the hands EVMWD's LEAPS ad hoc committee for two years. The ad hoc committee kept its content from the full EVMWD board as well as from the public
New 3/21/08: Californian, 21 March 08: Proposed power line qualifies for flexibility
New 3/20/08: News Letter from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), says that FERC is prepared to help Nevada Hydro finance the TE/VS Power Line but not the LEAPS hydroelectric power plant. Newsletter (PDF)
NEW 3/14/08: Protests and CPUC ruling on Nevada Hydro's Application for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity to construct the Talega/Escondido-Valley/Serrano 500kv Interconnect. (Go to Transmission Lines Only page).
(1/18/07): Response to Fish and Wildlife contains information on specific tower and service roads.
(12/13/07): Excerpt from Nevada Hydro's Proponents Environmental Assessment describing the Transmission Lines Only project.
(11/29): Nevada Hydro Comments on Sunrise Powerlink Transmission Project (pdf, 1.2mB)
Protest by Public Utilities Commission Rate Payer's Advocates (PDF)
The Tragedy of LEAPS in 5 Acts (Satire):
Maps of the Talega-Escondido/Valley-Seranno transmission line.
Nevada Hydro applies for Certificate of Public Convenience and Public Necessity; Learn more here:
Dr. Doug Pinnow's Analysis of Major Developments on the LEAPS Project
See the CPUC Notice of Application.
How responsible have past and current EVMWD directors been with rate payer's money:
Memorandum of Understanding between California Public Utility Commission and EVMWD makes EVMWD the lead agency and operator of LEAPS; though LEAPS remains a money loser, both in the FERC Final Environmental Impact Statement (Table 52) as well as our own analysis.
Suggested reading for investors in LEAPS:
Former FERC official testifies to CPUC that FERC lacks the authority to authorize Talega-Escondido/Valley-Seranno transmission line (see PDF)
Latest Press Coverage on LEAPS:
Agencies: Investment firm to finance Lake Elsinore power plant
Computer model shows view of transmission lines
Impacts: see how the transmission lines will appear
For other community impacts, click here.
To compare the FEIS simulation to ours, click here.
