YORK COUNTY, Pa. — The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has given preliminary approval to the Cuff's Run hydroelectric project in southeast York County that's drawn opposition from communities in that area.
The $2.3 billion project would use 1,100 acres of land to construct a new dam and reservoir to create and store electricity.
Community and environmental groups have been concerned over its impact and the potential for roughly 40 families to be displaced.
"580 acres will be completely underwater," said Fritz Schroeder, president of the Lancaster Conservancy. "1,000 acres will be taken by eminent domain for the entire facility. That's a huge ecological impact. That's lots of displacement of humans who have their homes and homesteads and who are active in farming that community, not to mention prime forested land that is offering currently an ecological value."
This represents the fourth attempt to get the project approved. It is being put forward by York Energy Storage LLC. One of its members, Bill McMahon, told FOX43 over the phone that he is thrilled with the news, and that the project represents what he says is a reasonable development of the electric grid that will be great for the local area.
Congressman Lloyd Smucker (R-Lancaster) today affirmed his opposition to the project, which would fall in his 11th Congressional District.
“This project, if allowed to proceed, would destroy preserved farms, a regional scenic trail, the viewshed of a popular multimodal rail trail, and forested lands needed to help protect the ecological health of this landscape and an already impaired waterway,” the statement reads in part.
McMahon has denied that there would be any significant negative environmental impact from the project.
More regulatory studies will need to be conducted before construction on the project can begin, which McMahon estimates will take around four years.