What is the Black Mesa Pumped Storage Project?
The Black Mesa Pumped Storage Project (BMPSP) is a pumped storage hydropower project proposed by Nature & People First. This energy development company wants to build three “Pumped Storage” energy projects along the northeastern edge of Black Mesa. See the linked maps below for each project site.
What is a Pumped Storage Hydropower (PSH) project?
Pumped storage hydropower (PSH) is a type of hydroelectric energy storage. It is a configuration of two water reservoirs at different elevations that can generate power as water moves down from one to the other (discharge), passing through a turbine. The system also requires power as it pumps water back into the upper reservoir (recharge).
Our Concerns:
- Excessive water use
- Water source is not clearly identified
- Water evaporation
- No community consultation/consent
- Land and wildlife impacts
All 3 projects combined would require
450,000 acre-feet of water (126 trillion gallons):
- Water Source: Black Mesa groundwater and/or the Colorado River and San Juan River.
- 9 reservoirs on/near Black Mesa totaling 35,720 acres.
- 8,000 acre-feet of water is required each year after project completion.
30-40 miles of Black Mesa’s north and northeastern edge would be industrialized with reservoirs, pump stations, generators, roads, water, and electric lines.
This project would destroy:
- Aquifers and spring productivity due to reservoirs
- Traditional land uses
- Endangered Mexican Spotted Owl habitats
- Land stability due to overdraft of aquifers
- Endangered species like the Navajo Sedge & Colorado Pikeminnows
Navajo Water Facts:
Photo by Wheatfield Lakeside Store
- 450,000 acre-feet (126 trillion gallons) = Over 2 million 55 Gallon Barrels
- Wheatfields Lake has only 4,500 acre-feet of water and covers 315 acres (100x Wheatfield Lake)
- Total industrial withdrawals from the Navajo aquifer from 1965-2018 from the Black Mesa area, 154,800 acre-feet (3x Coal Mining Water Use)
Nature & People First has already applied for preliminary permits for the three projects from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). The preliminary permits, if approved, will not allow construction but will allow Nature & People First to begin surveys, studies, and other planning.
Nature & People First is asking for these federal permits before consulting with or obtaining the consent of impacted communities on and near Black Mesa. The Navajo Nation Department of Justice filed a motion with FERC opposing the project.
Resolution Campaign
In April 2023, we began our community education campaign by presenting to chapter communities on and near Black Mesa about the proposed Black Mesa Pumped Storage Project. Our communities on Black Mesa were not consulted nor consented to this project; therefore, the following communities/committees passed resolutions opposing the Black Mesa Pumped Storage Project:
As we concluded our education efforts on/near Black Mesa, we began to move our education efforts to the Western Agency of the Navajo Nation. Below is a list of Navajo Chapters/Committees that passed resolutions also opposing the Black Mesa Pumped Storage Project.
How Can You Help?
Join us if we are presenting in your community or talk to your Chapter House and ask your officials to support our resolution to protect Navajo water (see the Documents listed below). Talk with your Council Delegate about the impacts of this proposed energy project. Lastly, join our email listing to stay up-to-date and informed on our No Black Mesa Pumped Storage Project (#NoBMPSP) Campaign. Click Here to subscribe. For more information, email info@tonizhoniani.org and ask for our campaign lead, Adrian.
Documents
- Chapter Resolution (Template)
- Fact Sheet
- Presentation (PDF)
- Maps
In The News:
Center for Biological Diversity
Navajo Times
KNAU
KSJD
EcoFlight
KSJD
The Guardian
Cronkite News
Source:
- Application for Preliminary Permits, Nature & People First
- Water Resource Development Strategy for the Navajo Nation, NNDWR Motion to Intervene of the Navajo Nation, NNDOJ
- Groundwater, Surface-Water, and Water-Chemistry Data, Black Mesa Area, Northeastern Arizona—2016–2018, USGS
#NoBMPSP | #ProtectNavajoWater | #ProtectBlackMesa | #NoFalseSolutions
