On April 25, 2024, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) denied the preliminary permit application for the Big Canyon Pumped Storage Project, which would have dammed Big Canyon, a tributary canyon to the Little Colorado River Gorge, mere miles from Grand Canyon National Park.
Big Canyon Pumped Storage Project
See a map of hydropower projects, including denied applications, across the Navajo Nation. Map ›
On February 15, 2024, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission denied preliminary permit applications for seven pumped storage hydroelectric projects proposed on Navajo Nation land, including:
Black Mesa Pumped Storage Projects
- Black Mesa North
- Black Mesa East
- Black Mesa South
Chuska Mountain Pumped Storage Project
Chuska Mountain North Pumped Storage Project
Western Navajo Pumped Storage Projects
- Western Navajo 1
- Western Navajo 2
In these denials, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission committed to “establishing a new policy that the Commission will not issue preliminary permits for projects proposing to use Tribal lands if the Tribe on whose lands the project is to be located opposes the permit.”
On February 19, 2024, the Hopi Tribe announced it would formally petition the commission for a rule change to require tribal consent before a project can be permitted on tribal lands.
On February 20, 2024, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission announced a 30-day comment period for additional comments on the controversial Big Canyon Dam proposal. To comment, go to https://ferconline.ferc.gov/QuickComment.aspx and use docket number P-15024-000.
On March 12, 2024, the Navajo Nation Department of Justice filed comments opposing the preliminary permit for the Big Canyon project.
