PA farms fight hydro project taking preserved land

By Blake Jackson

Pennsylvania agricultural organizations are strongly opposed to a proposed hydroelectric project in York County. The $2.3 billion Cuffs Run project would require seizing 340 acres of land, most of which is classified as prime agricultural soil. This land includes 195 acres currently protected by conservation easements.

Opponents argue that allowing the project to take preserved farmland would undermine the entire land preservation program in Pennsylvania. The state has invested heavily in this program, spending $1.8 billion to protect over 6,100 farms and nearly 620,000 acres of land since 1988. Easements are designed to keep land in agriculture permanently and overriding them for a private company sets a dangerous precedent.

The project developer, York Energy Storage, claims the facility would generate enough electricity to power 140,000 homes. However, opponents like the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture and the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau prioritize protecting existing agricultural land and the credibility of conservation easements.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has the final say on the project. While the agency accepted York Energy Storage's application for a preliminary permit in February, this doesn't allow construction to begin. FERC will hold public hearings and consider comments submitted by opponents before making a final decision.

The proposed project involves creating a new reservoir and dam system. Water would be pumped from the lower reservoir, Lake Clarke, to the upper reservoir during off-peak hours and released through turbines to generate electricity during peak demand.

While the project promises to provide renewable energy, critics argue it comes at a high cost to the environment. The proposed location on the Susquehanna River already has several existing power plants. Additionally, the project would flood protected forests and parkland, including a portion of the Mason-Dixon Trail.

Environmental groups like the Chesapeake Bay Foundation are seeking intervenor status in the FERC proceedings. This would allow them to challenge the project's potential negative impacts on water quality, wildlife habitat, and public recreation areas. The outcome of this case will be closely watched, with implications for both energy production and land conservation efforts in Pennsylvania.

Photo Credit: istock-dorin-s