FERC Permit Denials for Hydropower Projects on Tribal Lands

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

Read the denial ›

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

Read the denials ›

Chuska Mountain Pumped Storage Project

Read the denial ›

Chuska Mountain North Pumped Storage Project

Read the denial ›

Western Navajo Pumped Storage Projects
  • Western Navajo 1
  • Western Navajo 2

Read the denials ›

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.

Related Resources

A December 2024 poll of 500 voters across Utah by public opinion research firm New Bridge Strategy found strong public support for Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante national monuments, and for national monuments generally. In addition, nearly nine in 10 Utah voters say it is very important for tribes to have a strong role in […]

A bar graph showing in pink 75% of Utah voters support presidents' ability to protect public lands as national monuments, compared to 25% who oppose in gray bar, from the 2024 Utah National Monuments Poll
Utah voters strongly support national monuments and Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante in particular a December 2024 poll shows.